When I first posted about my new Vikings Blade The Chieftain razor, a reader pointed out that the razor is the Baili 179 — though Vikiings Blade does add gift-worthy packaging. However, The Chieftain costs $25 and you can buy a Baili 179 for just over $6. Live and learn. (Luckily, I enjoy both.)
I prepped using the Yaqi Target Shot synthetic (which comes with a badger knot as well — a knot that requires a week or two of use to break in). This is a very nice synthetic — bristles quite fine — and the badger knot also is excellent.
JabonMan’s Rosa Bourbon is an extremely good shaving soap, in both lather and fragrance, so the prep was as enjoyable as the shave — and the shaving was enjoyable indeed. This razor is comfortable and efficient and feels solid in the hand. It would be a good starter razor for men who like a twist-to-open (TTO) design. (My own general preference is the three-piece design, but I do like this razor.)
Three passes left my face smooth, and a splash of Saint Charles Shave Dark Rose EDT, augmented with a squirt of Grooming Dept Hydrating Gel, gave me a good start on the day, feeling good and looking sharp.
A side note: One option shown for a Baili 179 kit includes a brush — painted wood handle, looks like a 22-24mm knot, with the knot being horse and goat hair. I’m sorely tempted, especially since one can buy the brush separately. The thing is, you see, I don’t have any goat-hair brushes…