This shave was good all the way through — starting with the brush, Phoenix Artisan’s Starcraft. Although the 24mm knot is a bit larger than my ideal, it’s quite usable and very comfortable, both in the hand (the grip is good) and on the face (soft yet resilient). I loaded it well with Meißner Tremonia’s Black Beer No. 1, and thoroughly enjoyed the lather.
I will note for Canadian readers that Top of the Chain carries an excellent line of US-made products, including the Starcraft, Phoenix Artisan CK-6 soaps, Declaration Grooming Milksteak soaps (and aftershaves), and so on. Worth bookmarking.
The razor was of particular interest to me this morning. Last month I gave a secret Santa gift to a man newly arrived in Victoria, and naturally I thought of a shaving set-up would be the ideal gift:
• Leisureguy’s Guide to Gourmet Shaving the Double-Edge Way
• MR GLO (actually, Ach. Brito Glyce Lime Oil soap, which is the same thing except for brand name)
• Synthetic shaving brush
• 2 shaving soaps
• Baili 171 razor (like the one above)
• 6 brands of blades, in packs of 5 blades per brand
• My Nik Is Sealed
• an aftershave
That, in my view, constitutes a complete set-up for a novice DE shaver. (I in fact keep a few of those razors on hand exactly for gifts to novices.)
So today when I shaved I focused on trying to feel how this razor would likely work for someone unaccustomed to using a DE razor. I think it would work well. It’s a remarkably comfortable razor — totally non-threatening in its feel on the face and a handle that’s comfortable in the hand. It also (to my eye) looks good. Moreover, it is also quite efficient. Despite the mild feel on the face, it easily and efficiently strips off the stubble, and this morning it effortlessly left my face perfectly smooth — one of those extra-smooth shave that lead to faceturbation.
So I imagine he’s now enjoying his morning shave.
I finished my shave with a little of The Shave Den’s aftershave milk, this one being Coconut Lime Verbena, and quite nice it is, too.
In closing, I’ll point out Sharpologist’s review this morning of an intriguing shaving soap: Grooming Department’s Chypre Peach. (I didn’t know what “chypre” meant — or how to pronounce it. But now I do.)