u/Ghostbuster-

Pre shave: Hot shower and Neutrogena glycerin soap bar

Razor: Gillette Rocket HD No. 59

Blade: Personna GEM PDG (15)

Brush: Yaqi Sigrada Familia 24mm synthetic

Bowl: Captains choice copper

Soap: Noble Otter neon sun

Post shave: Noble Otter neon sun aftershave splash

Today was the first time using this razor.

It's a heavy wee bugger but very well balanced which makes for easy, light passes.

It's a bit more aggressive than Gillettes usual middle of the road, goldie locks range which i wasn't expecting, not high setting Gillette adjustable aggressive but enough to notice.

But at the same time, it's very efficient and smooth.

As with other rockets I've tried, the mechanism feels really solid, giving a real feeling of heft to the razor.

Noble otters neon sun lather proved to be the perfect companion with its great cushion and glide.

And the aftershave splash finished it off with immediate soothing and a great scent boost.

Happy shaves, everyone!

I've been waiting for the right Rocket HD set to come along and I guess when it rains, it pours because the right set just did.

It's an early production No.59 set with Patent pending on the inside of the blade tray from 53-54 as far as I can glean.

It's in for the standard warm water dish soap soak, then I'll look forward to giving it a try.

Pre shave: Hot shower and Neutrogena glycerin soap bar

Razor: 1938 No. 15 Gillette Aristocrat

Blade: Personna GEM PDG (14)

Brush: Captain Fawcett Synthetic V

Bowl: Captains choice copper

Soap: Glasgow soap company Parma Violet

Post shave: Nivea men sensitive cool post shave balm

I've struggled to find the time to fit in a shave today, so when I was finally able to I decided to treat myself to an Aristocrat shave.

And a very pleasant one it was, too.

3 silky smooth and effortlessly efficient passes in a room filled with the intoxicating and calming scent of Parma Violet.

Finished with the ever reliable Nivea men sensitive cool.

Hope you're all having great shaves and a great start to the week!

Pre shave: Hot shower and Neutrogena glycerin soap bar

Razor: 1949 Gillette Aristocrat junior No. 53

Blade: Personna GEM PDG (12)

Brush: Yaqi Sigrada Familia 24mm synthetic

Bowl: Captains choice copper

Soap: Stirling Coniferous

Post shave: Stirling coniferous aftershave splash

I'm giving the trusty Fatboy the day off today in order to try out the Aristocrat Junior.

As usual with Gillette, a very smooth and comfortable shave.

The handle on the junior is very thin compared to other razors but exceptionally well balanced with a rock solid, substantial feeling mechanism and very smooth action much like its big brothers.

The fit, finish and tolerances are top notch, as I've come to expect from the English Artistorcat lineup.

It made for effortless no pressure passes.

While it's still a mild razor, as others had mentioned, there's noticeably more blade feel than say a No. 58, flare tip or 40s super speed so it's a bit more on the aggressive side.

Not much but enough to notice.

It mowed through two days of growth as if it was nothing.

Aided by an enjoyably slick and cushiony lather from Stirlings coniferous and i6t's strong scent was very much appreciated due to some hay fever leaving me a bit congested and usable to appreciate more subtle scents at the moment.

Finished off with the matching splash with instant soothing and a perfect finish for an evening shave.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

This was a lucky find, recently.

Often referred to as the TV Rocket, although there seems to be no record of a TV special promotion within the UK surrounding this razor.

It's most likely a purely collector given name due to it's close similarity to the US made 1958 TV Special super speed as it shares the same knurling pattern on the handle as that razor but rhodium plated instead of nickel and featuring the rocket style TTO mechanism.

(Rocket on the left, Super Speed on the right)

Interestingly, this style of case was only used In the US for this razor in 58 and a blue base version used in 56 for that years 40s style TV special super speed.

But this case style was commonly used in the UK with both Red and white bases for other razors such as the standard Rocket flare tips and rocket Parat but without the "TV " relief lettering on the lid above the TTO knob that the US counterpart had.

As you can see, both cases are extremely similar but do have some differences.

I think going forward, I'll just refer to it as the Rhodium Rocket given that there's no TV promotional link to it unlike it's American cousin and it's the only factory Rhodium plated Rocket Gillette made so, that name makes more sense To me.

I picked up this 2nd generation Gillette Aristocrat Junior for an absolute steal this week.

The Razor is in great condition, mechanically perfect and doesn't really seem like it'd been used as the usual vintage razor soak and cleaning didn't really throw out any of the usual gunk.

I'll most likely give it a whirl for tomorrows shave.

Pre shave: Hot shower and Neutrogena glycerin soap bar

Razor: Gillette No. 58

Blade: Personna GEM PDG (11)

Brush: Captain Fawcett Synthetic V

Bowl: Captains choice copper

Soap: Stirling Executive man

Post shave: Stirling Executive man post shave balm

A quick late evening shave today and an exceptionally smooth and efficient one.

I chose the No. 58 on a whim at the last minute as I needed to shave quickly without having to put too much thought or focus into it as it's one of those days where there doesn't seem to be enough time, and it delivered an excellent result for 3 effortless passes.

Stirlings executive man whipped up to a very well hydrated, cushioned lather providing more than enough glide, paired with the preshave as well as outstanding scent.

Finished off with the matching balm for a perfect finish.

Hope your week is going well!

I picked them up at Aldi the other day.

They've got a nice strong pickled onion flavour with just a little bit of heat.

Pre shave: Hot shower and Neutrogena glycerin soap bar

Razor: 1966 Gillette Slim Adjustable (7)

Blade: Personna GEM PDG (10)

Brush: Yaqi Sigrada Familia 24mm synthetic

Bowl: Captains choice copper

Soap: Stirling Christmas eve

Post shave: Stirling Christmas eve aftershave balm

A very smooth and enjoyable Slim Sunday shave today.

As the rotation gods would have it, this Razor, Soap and Brush combination happens to be what I started with when I graduated from the Wilkinson sword classic set.

Stirlings Christmas eve was my first introduction to artisan shaving soap after being dissatisfied with the Wilkinson blue, the Yaqi brush was my first good brush after an awful experience with the terrible Wilkinson boar brush and the Slim was my first vintage razor which blew my mind in contrast with the Wilkinson classic, and started a vintage Gillette collecting obsession.

And they all performed just as well as just as enjoyably as the first time.

3 smooth, efficient passes with that amazing warm, comforting aroma in the air.

Finished off with the matching balm for more Christmas eve goodness and a very well soothed and silky smooth finish.

Hope you've all had a great week and have another one in the week ahead!

Pre shave: Hot shower and Neutrogena glycerin soap bar

Razor: 1960 Gillette 195 Adjustable (7)

Blade: Personna GEM PDG (9)

Brush: Yaqi 26mm Bluish Violet synthetic

Bowl: Captains choice copper

Soap: Stilring Baker Street

Post shave: Nivea men sensitive post shave balm

Another excellent Fatboy Friday shave this week.

Close, effortless and with just about as perfect an end result as I could have asked for.

Baker Street performed and smelled great once again as did Niveas post shave balm.

It's the 9th shave for this blade which was somehow still very sharp and smooth.

This may be a fluke, only time and use of a second blade from the pack once this one finally gives up will tell.

Hope you've had a great week and have a great weekend ahead!

Pre shave: Hot shower and Neutrogena glycerin soap bar

Razor: 2nd generation Ever Ready Streamline

Blade: AccuTec pro GEM (4)

Brush: Captain Fawcett Synthetic V

Bowl: Captains choice copper

Soap: Moon soaps Amaretto Speciale

Post shave: Moon soaps Amaretto Speciale aftershave splash

What a scent this is!

I've read it described as Cella on steroids, and while I have no frame of reference for that having never tried Cella, when it arrived yesterday and I opened the tub the strong scents of Sweet almond/frangipane, Cherry, and biscotti immediately struck me as a dead ringer for Cherry Bakewell tarts.

So much that It gave me a wicked craving for them, so I had to pick some up this morning for a post shave snack, since eating the amazing smelling soap wouldn't have been the best idea.

It's a far softer soap than I'm used to and I was worried that I'd use too much if I tub loaded as I normally would, so I followed Moon Soaps suggested instructions and rubbed a tiny amount into the bristles of the brush before moving over to the bowl.

It's a thirsty one, and quickly whipped up into a beautifully well hydrated, slick pillowy soft lather that made for excellent glide and an effortlessly enjoyable shave with the Streamline which glided like a hot knife through butter for 3 comfortable passes.

The soap itself leaves the skin feeling very well moisturised and the splash provided instant soothing, leaving a silky smooth and nourished feeling.

A seriously impressive soap and splash from Moon, both in terms of the quality of scent and performance and definitely a maker I'll be revisiting.

Hope you're all having a great hump day.