Today a test of Otoko and a first shave with a new slant.
First, the Otoko. Based on previous comments about bad lather from overloading the brush with Otoko, I checked out my load time with the soap, using a “regular” brush—the WSP Monarch HMW—and the Otoko. I don’t time brush loadings, but go by the bubble size as I brush the soap vigorously with the wet brush—much, I suppose, as a blacksmith doesn’t take the temperature of the metal he’s work with but goes by color. I noted that the microscopic bubbles that indicate full loading came about very quickly—so I do load the brush with this soap briefly, and then it’s done.
No lather problems at all. The new (well, new to me) Fasan does seem to have more of a slant than the (other) bakelite slant. With a new Trig blade it seemed not quite so comfortable or secure as the bakelite, but this is my first shave with it, and the comfort level will increase as I “learn” it. Withal, a BBS result with no nicks, though I had a couple of near-misses, I think.
This one’s well made, as is the Merkur bakelite slant. Once again, the threaded parts are metal inserts, and I noticed one small refinement: the tapped receiving piece in the handle has a definite shoulder, so tightening the job would simply press the shoulder against the lug base and not tend to pull out the metal piece.
My first non-Merkur slant. Now I can’t wait for the others due out this year.
Filed under: Shaving
