A terrific shave today. The gray color of the shaving soap shown above is doubtless due to the activated charcoal in its ingredients. The soap is called Cement, presumably due to color, and it’s a softer soap, made in cooperation with LA Shaving Soap Company (and thus, as you would expect, it is quite good). The fragrance is fine: a masculine but somewhat subdued fragrance. The soap is not yet on the Standard Razor site, but I imagine it will soon make an appearance.
It’s a freebie: Standard Razor sent it to me because I have from time to time spoken highly of their razor, and it’s a way of saying thanks. The soap made a very fine lather indeed, and I continue to like the Omega boar brush shown, a remarkably soft knot that feels blissful on the face.
Those who have trouble loading the brush if the tub is full might want to give this one a pass. As you can see in the photo, the tub comes filled. I experienced no problems in loading, but some have reported that the tub must be partially empty before they are able to load the brush without making a big mess. (I think this is due to the fact that, as wetshaving continues its rapid growth, it continues to attract those new to the practice, and of course novices have a typical range of problems with their new tools (razors, blades, brushes, and soaps): some learning is required to use them effectively, and one thing to be learned is how to load a brush efficiently and neatly. Having a tub only half full compensates for their lack of skill.)
Three passes with the Standard head on the red-jasper handle by Elite Razor, and then a tiny bit of D.R. Harris After Shaving Milk finished the job.
Filed under: Shaving
