SOTD: Monday July 31, 2017

(Day three of Barbershop shaves)

Razor: Alumigoose from Mongoose Razors 

Blade: Feather Super Professional (3rd use)

Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black Synthetic 

Soap: Bluebell Soaps Barbershop 

Aftershave: Nivea 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10, very short of 10/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10, very clean Barbershop

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• Bluebell Soaps was a local artisan from Bluebell, UT and I was very disappointed to hear that hey are no longer making soaps. I have never been disappointed with their line. 

• Alumigoose is smooth as always. I can see why I continuously reached for this razor after I purchased it in the spring of last year. 

• Nivea is a great value and readily available.

SOTD: Sunday July 30, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4th use)

Brush: Stirling Soap Co. Boar Hair 

Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Barbershop 

Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Barbershop Balm 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• I pick up on vanilla notes in this. Wonderful take on Barbershop. 

• I enjoy the artwork on the label.

SOTD: Saturday July 29, 2017

Razor: Hone Type 15

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (3rd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Reef Point Soaps Classic Barbershop 

Aftershave: Reef Point Soaps Classic Barbershop

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10, requiring touch up after third pass.

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10, I'm a sucker for Barbershop. 

Performance: 9.5/10

• Excellent consistency and loaded easily with a little extra water.

• Fantastic powdery Barbershop scent.

SOTD: Friday July 28, 2017

Razor: RazoRock Baby Smooth 

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2nd use)

Brush: RazoRock Plissoft 

Soap: RazoRock For New York

Aftershave: RazoRock For New York 

Closeness and Efficiency: 8.5/10 to 9/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10

Performance: 9/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• Really smooth lightweight shaver. 

• Fantastic aqua scent.

SOTD: Thursday July 27, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1st use)

Brush: DeLuxe Shaving Co. 30MM Silvertip

Soap: Deluxe Shaving Co. Espresso Amaretti 

Aftershave: Barbedeaux 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9/10, for DFS level

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10 

Performance: 9.5/10 

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• Fantastic coffee scented soap, with excellent scent strength.

SOTD: Tuesday July 25, 2017

Razor: Blackbird (open comb)

Blade: Timor (3rd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip

Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Platinum 

Aftershave: The Stray Whisker After Balm 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10, DFS close to BBS

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10 to 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• Without looking at the scent profile, I immediately picked up on citrus and a secondary note of sandalwood (which was likely the bergamot and sandalwood). The scent is weak out of the tub, but comes out with a lather. 

• Loaded and lathered easily, which usually is the case with TOBS. 

• Thanks to Dave Munoz for giving me the heads up on this knowing my affinity for TOBS. 

• Although the scent is great, their Coconut, Almond, and Cedarwood still round out my favorite scents. 

• If you get your hands on the After Balm, use a very small pinch. The post feel is amazing. 

• Let's not forget the Blackbird. In my honest opinion, it's one of the more consistent and efficient razors.

SOTD: Monday July 24, 2017

Razor: 1983 Gillette Super Adjustable Black Beauty 

Blade: Timor (2nd use) 

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip

Soap: Soap Commander Vision

Aftershave: Soap Commander Vision 

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, for BBS level 

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10 to 9.0/10, wonderful mint scent. 

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10, post feel with Soap Commander's balms never disappoint.

SOTD: Sunday July 23, 2017

Razor: Merkur 34C

Blade: Timor (1st use)

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze

Soap: D.R. Harris Marlborough Shaving Stick 

Aftershave: Clubman Pinaud 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10 

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10 for soap, 7.5/10 for aftershave 

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• Nice mild afternoon touch up.

Social Distortion Concert Night SOTD: Saturday July 22, 2017

Social D Concert Night SOTD 

Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)

Blade: Gillette Platinum Plus (2nd use)

Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black Synthetic 

Soap: Barrister & Mann Night Music (how appropriate)

Aftershave: Barrister & Mann Night Music

Closeness and Efficiency:

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10 to 9.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

SOTD: Friday July 21, 2017

Birth Year Razor Shave 

Razor: 1983 Gillette Super Adjustable Black Beauty (D1)

Blade: Gillette Platinum Plus (1st use) 

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip

Soap: Heritage Shave Soap Connecticut Yankee from Razor Emporium and WSP 

Aftershave: Barbedeaux 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9/10

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10 to 9/10

Performance: 9.5/10 

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• I'm one of those odd people that likes he scent of citronella, so I rather enjoyed this. 

• Strong scent profile. 

• Whipped up lather easily.

SOTD: Thursday July 20, 2017

 

Razor: 1959 Gillette Fatboy 

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (4th use)

Brush: DeLuxe Shaving Co. 30MM Silvertip

Soap: DeLuxe Shaving Co. Doo-Wop Barbershop Citrus

Aftershave: DeLuxe Shaving Co. Doo-Wop Barbershop Citrus

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10, the citrus comes out after whipping up the lather and in the balm. 

Performance: 9.5/10, with enough residual slickness to do a touch up after each of the three passes. 

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10 

• Top notch customer service from Anthony at DeLuxe as always. There can always be something said for artisans that appreciate your patronage and their customer's feedback. 

Mail Call: Deluxe Shaving Co.

 

SOTD: Wednesday July 19, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (resorted by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (4th use) 

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip

Soap: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Chocolate Bourbon 

Aftershave: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Chocolate Bourbon 

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, BBS level 

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance:  9/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

SOTD: Tabac Tuesday July 18, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (3rd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Tabac

Aftershave: Tabac

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, for BBS level.

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10

Performance: 10/10, for slickness.

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• Say what you will about the scent, you can't argue with Tabac's performance. 

• Awesome post feel.

SOTD: Monday July 17, 2017

Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (3rd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip

Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Cedarwood 

Aftershave: Barbedeaux 

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, BBS level 

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10 

Performance: 10/10, lather practically exploded

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• Some of my favorite products all around. 

• If you're a fan of TOBS try their Cedarwood scent.

SOTD: Sunday July 16, 2017

Razor: Ming Shi (Merkur Futur clone)

Blade: Family Dollar branded blades 

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze 

Soap: Stirling Soap Margaritas in the Arctic 

Aftershave: Stirling Soap Margaritas in the Arctic

Closeness and Efficiency: 8.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9/10

• Nice, refreshing cooling menthol shave after workout on a hot summer day. 

• This particular blade was rough.

SOTD: Saturday July 15, 2017

Razor: Hone Type 15

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (2nd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: D.R. Harris Marlborough Shave Stick 

Aftershave: Old Spice 

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 9/10

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, BBS and nick free. 

• Most impressed with the Frank Shaving Brush; no shedding and a great value. 

• Amazing scent on Marlborough.

Mail Call: Frank Shaving Brush

SOTD: Friday July 14, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (1st use)

Brush: Omega Boar Hair 

Soap: Ginger's Garden Covfefe 

Aftershave: Lucky Tiger After Shave and Face atomic 

• Amazing post feel. 

• Smooth shave and BBS level.

SOTD: Wednesday July 12, 2017

Razor: Timeless (.95 Blade Gap)

Blade: Voskshod (4th use) 

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze

Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Sharp Dressed Man 

Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Sharp Dressed Man

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

Overall Average: 9.3/10

• Clean scent, easily one of top two or three favorite artisan scents.

SOTD: Tuesday July 11, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (5th use?)

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze 

Soap: L&L Grooming Cuir Et Éspices 

Aftershave: L&L Grooming Cuir Et Éspices

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, BBS with no weepers. 

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

Overall Average: 9.5/10

• Awesome scent of leather and tobacco. 

• Top notch performance and consistency.

SOTD: Sunday July 9, 2017

Razor: Mühle R41

Blade: Personna Lab Blue (2nd use)

Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black Synthetic 

Soap: Mickey Lee Soap Works Agora Xyrisma

Aftershave: Mickey Lee Soap Works Agora Xyrisma

Post Fragrance: Draakar Noir

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, BBS with no cuts or weepers. 

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

Overall Average: 9.5/10

• Close and efficient shave.

• Awesome scent with badass waterproof labels and design.

Razor Review: Mühle R41-Efficient, Workhorse and a Whole Lot of Unnecessary Hype

     The infamous R41. It's mere mention stops some cold in their tracks with fear. It's open comb design leaves significant blade exposure, and it is labeled "the most aggressive safety razor in the world," which is factually incorrect since many adjustable razors can go much higher on blade exposure.
   
    But not once do I recall cutting myself with the R41, even with sharper Feather and Kai blades on their first use!  This morning I did a three pass shave with a 2nd use Personna Lab Blue, with no cuts and no weepers. If anything using these sharper blades will cut down on irritation by eliminating touch ups and an extra passes. I was initially advised that the thicker Kai blades are a perfect fit for the R41's head design. Typically shaves with this razor leave a longer period of time with BBS, and I have timed up to 12 hours with a significantly smooth face.

     In my review of the Hone Type 15 I mentioned how it tamed sharper blades, and was ideal for a daily driver; on the flip side this makes smoother blades that might not be as sharp more efficient. This is an ideal razor if you have a few days growth you need to slay.

     I am going to come out and say this is an extremely efficient razor, that is overhyped and misunderstood. It would serve any wetshaver well to have this in their den, and it will continue to work its way into my regular rotation.

SOTD: Saturday July 8, 2017

Razor: 1966 Gillette Flare Tip (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (4th use)

Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black Synthetic 

Soap: Through the Fire Fine Craft Extinguish 

Aftershave: The Stray Whisker After Balm 

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5:10

Overall Average: 9.3/10

• Refreshing scent; a mentholated version would be awesome. 

• Wilkinson Sword blade still going strong after four uses. 

SOTD: Friday July 7, 2017

Razor: Hone Type 15

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (3rd use)

Brush: DeLuxe Shaving Co. 30MM Silvertip Badger

Cream: C.O. Bigelow 

Aftershave: Proraso Green 

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9/10

Scent Subjectivity: Cream 8/10, Aftershave 9.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

Overall Average: 9.1/10

• Good value on cream. 

• Easily lathered.

SOTD: Thursday July 6, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo) 

Blade: Voskhod (3rd use)

Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black Synthetic 

Soap: Soap Commander Ambition 

Aftershave Balm: Soap Commander Ambition 

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5 (on settings 4 to 3)

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10 

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

Overall Average: 9.3/10

• Clean scent.

• Great performance.

• Hands down some of the best artisan balms.

SOTD: Tuesday July 4, 2017 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Razor: Above the Tie (Kronos Handle, R2 Plate)

Blade: Personna Blue 

Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black  Synthetic 

Soap: Soap Commander Honor 

Aftershave Balm: Soap Commander Honor 

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10 (near damn BBS)

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

Overall Average: 9.3/10

• Nice, fresh and classic Barbershop scent. 

• Amazing post feel, some of the best artisan balms.

SOTD: Monday July 3, 2017

Razor: Blackbird from Blackland Razors 

Blade: Voskhod (2nd use)

Brush: DeLuxe Shaving Co. 30MM Silvertip Badger

Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Sharp Dressed Man 

Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Sharp Dressed Man

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 10/10

Performance: 9/10

Post Shave Feel: 9/10

Overall Average: 9.3/10

• Hands down one of my top two artisan soap/AS combos. 

• Efficient performance from the Blackbird. This razor is always consistent.

SOTD: Sunday July 2, 2017

Razor: Ming Shi (Chinese Clone of Merkur Futur)

Blade: Voskhod (1st Use)

Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black Synthetic 

Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Coconut

Aftershave: The Stray Whisker After Balm 

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

Overall Average: 9.5/10

• Inaugural use of the Ming Shi. There are little blemishes and imperfections on the finish that you won't find on the Futur. Also, the head seems to "wiggle" a bit. I think this one has a leg up in weight, but in overall quality I'm sticking with the Futur. 

• Good gym bag, travel or starter razor for the cost. 

Mail Call: Ming Shi 2000

For $7.69 USD the Chinese knockoff of everyone's favorite German razor (with a side-by-side comparison).

SOTD: Saturday July 1, 2017

Razor: RazoRock Stainless Steel Hawk 

Blade: Feather Professional (3rd use)

Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Synthetic 

Soap: RazoRock Don Marco 

Aftershave: RazoRock Don Marco 

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 8.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 9/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10 

Overall Average: 9/10

• Pleasant scent, reminds me of an orange dreamsicle. 

• Good post feel.

SOTD: Friday June 30, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless (3rd use)

Brush: West Coast Shaving Black Beacon 

Soap: Barrister & Mann Night Music 

Aftershave: Barrister & Mann Night Music 

Overall Impressions 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10 

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

Overall Average: 9.5/10

• Slick, close, and loaded easily. 

• Excellent high quality label and container that reflects on the product.