A spoiler: it was a great shave today. The Omega Pro 48 shown in the photo is now so well broken in that it’s a great pleasure to use — pleasurable in loading and in lathering and in having a wonderful feel on the face. The pleasure was augmented by the fragrance of Grooming Dept Amber Rose, an exclusive for West Coast Shaving: “honey, rose, amber, orris, myrrh, oakmoss, vanilla, benzoin, musk, and patchouli.” This is the Donkey Milk formula, and the lather was a delight.
The razor is a vintage 1930s-era (I believe) Merkur slant. I have been referring to it as “white Bakelite,” but reader ales pointed out that Bakelite comes only in dark colors. Based on the article at the link, I would guess that the razor is Catalin or celluloid. The razor’s plastic is certainly lightweight and strong and is — from reports of those who have dropped one — also brittle.
Whatever the material, its embodiment here is a superb slant razor. These became briefly available some years back when a trove of them was discovered in a warehouse. I am pleased that mine still endures: three passes produced a perfect shave.
A splash of Amber Rose aftershave finished the job and launched the week.
The tea this morning is Ode to Joy, a Murchie’s Christmas special: ““A merry blend of aromatic jasmine and apricot makes an enchanting green-black tea. The fruit and floral notes enhance those naturally detected in black and green teas.”