The brush is modern (it’s the Phoenix Artisan Amber Aerolite), though based on a old design. But the razor is a blast from the past and George F. Trumper shaving soap and Taylor of Old Bond Street No. 74 aftershave have been around for ages (though the Trumper shaving soap in the photo is no more: it’s from when Trumper made their own shaving soap).
The lather was excellent, and I did not have to add any water at all to load the brush (and not much to work up the lather on my face). I think that’s probably because, despite my shaking the brush, the large (24mm) synthetic knot still held a fair amount of water.
My 1940’s Gillette Aristocrat was exceptionally kind and efficient today. Maybe it recognized the soap as familiar from back in the day, but more likely it’s because the blade (a Wilkinson Sword) is both new and well-suited to this razor.
Three effortless passes to a perfectly smooth finish, and then a splash of TOBS No. 74 (with a squirt of hydrating gel) to finish the job. As seems to be the custom, the number in the product name is the company’s street address: No. 74 Jessamyn Street.