I use a different set-up for every shave, and with just over 60 razors in rotation, it takes just over 10 weeks to get through them all. (I shave six days a week — Never on Sunday.) Thus when I reach a razor, it’s not an actual novelty, but enough time has passed that it’s also not routine. It is not so familiar that it is no longer noticed. The renewed acquaintance enables a distinct impression — not a first impression, but a renewed acquaintance, and renewed acquaintances are often more revealing than first impressions.
But before the razor comes into play, one does the prep, and after applying my usual smidgin of Grooming Dept Moisturizing Pre-Shave (something I seriously missed on my trip — I traveled with a carry-on and TSA does not allow amounts of liquid so large as 4 ounces because of danger!), I loaded my Rooney Style 2 Finest with Grooming Dept Ketoret shaving soap, made with the Kairos formula in a special edition that includes lamb tallow and emu oil. The fragrance was noticeably present and pleasurable: “Balsam, Galbanum, Spices, Costus, Spikenard, Frankincense, Myrrh, Saffron.”
This morning’s razor is the Yaqi Mercury, whose catalog entry states is “for beginners.” Although I’m not a beginner, I strive to maintain a beginner’s mind. This morning I suddenly noticed how very comfortable this head is. (It is mounted on a stainless steel RazoRock UFO handle, whose knurling is extra crisp.)
In addition to its remarkable comfort, the Mercury excels in efficiency (also good in a beginner razor). I see that users agree: the catalog page shows 85 user ratings, of which 83 are 5-star and 2 are 4-star. Given its price of US$8.40, I would say the Mercury head is a bargain.
Three passes produced a perfect shave. I used a couple of drops of Grooming Dept Conditioning Shave Oil as an aftershave. That worked well as an aftershave balm, though the oil seems primarily intended as a shave oil, used directly for shaving. I may try it that way, but I am a lover of lather — a shave without lather just wouldn’t feel right.
All in all, it was a wonderful shave and a great way to start the day.
The coffee today is Fantastico’s Espresso Malinal, and I am still surprised at the difference between using 32g of grounds and 29g (in a pint of water). This time I had them grind it at the “stovetop espresso” fineness.
