I figure out the Fine slant — now it’s a favorite. One little change in...
First, of course, comes the prep: wash my (two-day) stubble with MR GLO, then a very pleasant and fragrant lather with Tallow + Steel’s take on bay rum, using the Kent BK4, a lovely brush with a light...
View ArticleA great shave and a fine-bristled brush
I noticed (perhaps again) how very fine are the bristles of this Yaqi brush. The synthetic knot is in a “Target Shot” pattern, modeled (I’m told) on the quadrant aiming pattern used by submarines in...
View ArticleUse these as a writing prompt: Starcraft, Dr. Selby, Lupo, American Blend
I think you might be able to get a fairly intriguing science-fiction story using those four as a starting point for plot development. What I got was quite a good shave. Dr. Selby’s 3X Concentrated...
View ArticleReprise of the Fine slant
I like the Fine slant so much, now that I dialed in the correct angle, that I had to use it again. A good lather from Wholly Kaw’s Monaco Royale, thanks in part to the Fine Classic brush, and then...
View ArticleFendrihan Mk II: an excellent razor
The Mk II is, as you might expect, version 2 of Fendrihan’s own stainless steel razor (here with a bronze coating). Version 1 struck me as very harsh, but the Mk II is really excellent: efficient and...
View ArticleLenthéric and the Yaqi DOC — and a recipe
I got distracted, thus the tardy post. Now, with brushes, soaps, and razors all organized, shaving resumes an easy routine. I still don’t quite have the photo dialed in: long time exposure reduces...
View ArticleThanks to commenters: A well-focused photo of today’s shave set-up
The light level in the early morning doesn’t allow for a fast shutter speed, and I could not keep the came still enough for a sharp image. But yesterday achy and Chris R both suggested using the...
View ArticleAchilles and the 102 — and the benefits of palm lathering
When I loaded this Plisson European Grey, I got a good amount of soap, though I did have to add a driblet of water twice during the loading — additional water is often required when the shaving soap...
View ArticleAnother sandalwood, stronger — and the excellent RazoRock MJ-90A
Despite Tcheon Fung Sing’s “forte” designation for its Linea Intensa “Crazy Sandalwood,” I found that fragrance much less intense than that of Art of Shaving’s (excellent) Sandalwood shaving soap....
View ArticleOrganism 46-B and the Rockwell R3
When I still lived in California, I ordered this Plisson HMW 12 from Atkinson’s in Vancouver, which now is just a ferry-ride away (though ferry service is now greatly curtailed due to the COVID-19...
View ArticleWonderful shave to end the week — and I really like RazoRock’s Barber Pole...
Leviathan has a wonderful fragrance (something not mentioned in the Biblical accounts), and the lather, made with my ebony-handled Sabini brush, was totally satisfying. The iKon X3, mounted on...
View ArticleThe occasional question: “Why is today’s shave especially good?”
It’s been a long time since I had a bad shave — good products and much practice does provide a strong safety net — but still from time to time I find that a shave is unexpectedly good: better than the...
View ArticleStarting the week right: Omega Pro 48, Tcheon Fung Sing, Merkur vintage...
The Omega Pro 48 is a very good brush, and though it is large (knot diameter and loft), I have no problem in using it for face lathering. It does require some time to load, though — high capacity...
View ArticleA RazoRock Italian shave
This is a combination I greatly enjoy: fine fragrance, luxurious lather, smooth-shaving razor. What’s not to like? Recommended. The razor is the Baby Smooth, which now comes in various colors. All...
View ArticleAnother unexpected but welcome extra-soft shave result
Once again my shave was exceptional in the final result: skin extremely smooth and feeling quite soft. The Vie-Long horsehair brush certainly did a fine job, and Declaration Grooming’s bison-tallow...
View ArticleA flower-fragrance shave: violet soap and rose aftershave
The flowers have it today. I like Phoenix Artisan’s synthetic brushes, though I do very much wish he would make some with a 22mm knot. This Solar Flare has a 24mm knot, as does his newest, the...
View ArticleEvergreen fragrances this morning
QED’s Special 218 has a strong pine fragrance, reminiscent of pine-tar soap (with which it shares the very dark color), and it makes a very nice lather, this morning ably assisted by my Simpson...
View ArticleMarlborough and the Ascension
I’ve noticed that using Anthony Gold’s Red Cedar aftershave invariably brings D.R. Harris Marlborough to mind — another good source of wood fragrances (beyond sandalwood). At any rate, I leapt at the...
View ArticleAnother soft-skin shave, and I think it was La Toja
First, I want to thank again Chris R who in a comment pointed out the use of the timed release to avoid camera shake. This morning was overcast, plus I had to be at the supermarket by 7:00am, so I was...
View ArticleA wee shave — but a good shave
The Wee Scot and the small tin of Klar Seifen shave soap are good for travel, being compact while still offering top quality shaves. The Baby Smooth is always a pleasure, and a splash of Klar Seifen...
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