SOTD: Wednesday August 30, 2017

Razor: The Assassin from The Shaving Shop

Blade: Bolzano (4th use)

Brush: None 😱

Cream: Carboca Charcoal Shaving Cream 

Aftershave: Carboca Aftershave Tonic 

• Great post feel with skin food. 

• Attempted with a brush and it's a no go. 

• A little amount of cream goes a long way. 

• The consistency is more in line with a moisturizer than a thick cushiony lather, but performance and slickness is there. 

SOTD: Tuesday August 29, 2017

Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)

Blade: Bolzano (3rd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: WSP Black Amber Vanille 

Aftershave: WSP Black Amber Vanille

• BBS shave. Extremely efficient combination of the Bolzano blade and Timeless razor, with significant reduction with each pass. Socially acceptable shave on first pass, DFS on second, and BBS on third. 

• Great performance from WSP and the scent is pleasant too.

SOTD: Sunday August 27, 2017

Razor: RazoRock Hawk (stainless steel version)

Blade: Feather Pro (lost count on uses)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: RazoRock Tuscan Oud

Aftershave: RazoRock Tuscan Oud

• Look at that blade exposure. Try to pair with a more mild artist club blade. Efficient shaver all around. 

• Love the aesthetics and coating on the razor. 

• Fantastic scent. It almost makes me want to spring for Tom Ford's Tobacco Oud. 

SOTD: Saturday August 26, 2017

Razor: Hone Type 15

Blade: Bolzano (2nd use)

Brush:  Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Strike Gold Shave Clinton

Aftershave: Strike Gold Shave Clinton

• Fantastic scent, and has worked its way into my top four. 

• Loaded and lathered easily. 

• Amazing post feel.  

• I might see the young lady I've been interested in today and needed some of my consistent performers. I said "Hey, why not Clinton?"

SOTD: Friday August 25, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Bolzano (1st use)

Bowl: Jay's Clay 

Brush: Customer Made Handle from Rich Hansen, 24MM Tuxedo Knot 

Soap: Barbershop Poivre Rosé from The Shaving Shop

Aftershave: Barbershop Poivre Rosé from The Shaving Shop

• This is probably the smoothest and most comfortable shave I've had in days. 

• Hands down one of my favorite scents. 

• Bolzano blade is that perfect combination of sharpness and smoothness.

SOTD: Thursday August 24, 2017

Razor: Parker A1R Travel Razor 

Blade: Super-Max Platinum (3rd use)

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze

Soap: D.R. Harris Marlborough Shaving Stick 

Aftershave: D.R. Harris Marlborough

• Excellent performance from D.R. Harris.

• Great post feel, but not a lasting scent on the aftershave.

• After the third use the blade is getting a little rough. 

SOTD: Wednesday August 23, 2017

Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)

Blade: Super-Max Platinum (2nd use)

Brush: None 😱

Cream: Carboca Charcoal Shaving Cream

Aftershave: Carboca Aftershave Tonic 

• I realize this could be a polarizing scent, but I did enjoy it. 

• The cream is brushless (or I didn't try with a brush anyway) and produces a thin lather, but there was enough residual slickness for a three pass shave. 

• The company's focus is on activated charcoal for skin nourishment. 

• Ideal for gym bag or travel.

• Top notch customer service. 

SOTD: Tuesday August 22, 2017

Razor: Merkur Futur 

Blade: Shark Crome (2nd use)

Brush: Custom Made Handle by Rich Hansen, 24MM Tuxedo Knot 

Soap: Mickey Lee Soap Works Agora Xyrisma 

Aftershave: Mickey Lee Soap Works Agora Xyrisma

Post Fragrance: Drakkar Noir 

• Blade is not the smoothest, on lower setting this was a more comfortable shave. 

• Excellent consistency and easy to load. 

SOTD: Sunday August 20, 2017

               

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Super-Max Platinum (1st use)

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze. 

Soap: Henry's Lather Co. Craft Brew

Aftershave: Mickey Lee Soap Works The Drunken Goat.

• I knew I would love this scent once I seen Jonathan's line up. Really good scent strength 10/10 in my book. 

• Did a hybrid face/bowl lather with great results with both, switching it up between passes. 

• Really good consistency, I would say it is comparable to Soap Commander. 

• Well designed waterproof labels. 

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/HenrysLatherCo

SOTD: Saturday August 19, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4th use)

Brush: Semogue Boar Hair  

Cream: Antiga Barbearia de Bairro Ribeira 

Aftershave: Barbedeaux

• Blade still going strong and smooth after 4th use. 

• Great post feel. A smidgen of the aftershave goes a long way. 

• Clean and strong scent on the cream. 

• For anyone interested it looks like Barbedeax is having a sale right now. It would be the perfect time to try their line of products. Great customer service from them (not affiliated at all, just a satisfied customer).

SOTD: Friday August 18, 2017

Razor: Hone Type 15

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (3rd use) 

Bowl: Jay's Clay 

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze 

Soap: Lakewood Soaps Rustic Woods 

Aftershave: Lucky Tiger 

• Great value: 6 oz. of soap at the same price I've seen 4 oz. tubs for.

• Sweet woodsy scent that does linger. 

• Prompt shipping and great customer service.

SOTD: Thursday August 17, 2017

Razor: Blackbird (polished, open comb)

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2nd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Reef Point Soaps Espresso

Aftershave: Reef Point Soaps Espresso

• Great performance as always from Reef Point. 

• Great coffee bean scent with decent scent strength. 

• Near BBS to BBS not nick-free shave with the Blackbird. 

SOTD: Wednesday August 16, 2017

Store bought stuff, tossed in gym bag

Razor: Ming Shi (Made in China Merkur Futur clone)

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1st use)

Brush: Cremo Horse Hair (available at Target)

Cream: Cremo Sandalwood 

Aftershave Balm: Nivea 

•All products performed well and produced a nick free, near BBS shave. 

•The Cremo cream is slick, keep in mind their formula does not produce think cushiony lather.

SOTD: Teakwood Tuesday August 15, 2017

Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (3rd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Prohibition Style Bourbon Barrel 🥃 🥃 🥃

Aftershave: Soap Commander Passion 

• Sweet scent that you can pick up on all the listed notes.

• Per their recommendation bloom in warm water and do a long count to 30 seconds when loading for the first few uses. 

• Great customer service from Justin at Prohibition Style. 

• The Timeless is smooth and yet efficient enough. That combined with it's ideal weight and aesthetics make this the damn near perfect (if not perfect) razor. 

• Soap Commander balms might be hands down one of the best balms out there. 

SOTD: Monday August 14, 2017

Gym Bag Regulars #2

Razor: Merkur 34C

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2nd use)

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze 

Soap: D.R. Harris Marlborough Shave Stick 

Aftershave: D.R. Harris Marlborough

• Efficient and near BBS shave. 

• The Merkur 34c is mild, but don't let the appearance of this ugly little razor fool you-it is efficient and a workhorse. 

• The post feel of the D.R. Harris products is amazing. Very light and non overwhelming post fragrance.

SOTD: Sunday August 13, 2017

Gym Bag Regulars

Razor: Ming Shi (Chinese Merkur Futur clone)

Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1st use)

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze

Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Sharp Dressed Man 

Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Sharp Dressed Man

• Good gym bag or travel razor for the price. 

• It doesn't adjust as smoothly as the Futur, and lacks the build quality. At home I'll continue to reach for the Futur.

SOTD: Friday August 11, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Polsilver (2nd use)

Brush: Custom Made Handle by Rich Hansen 24MM Tuxedo Knot 

Soap: Prohibition Style Bourbon Barrel 

Aftershave: Lucky Tiger 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 10/10 

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• Great customer service and prompt shipping at Prohibition Style. 

• Per their recommendation bloom in warm water (not hot)  for the first few shaves, followed by a long count 30 second load, then face lather. I can say this worked well, and the consistency was great. 

• Great combination of scents, the Teakwood comes out. Very sweet with strong scent strength.

A touch up splash after the afternoon workout as well.

SOTD: Thursday August 10, 2017

Damn Near Perfect Shave

Razor: Blackbird from Blackland Razors (black oxide version)

Blade: Polsilver (1st use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Strike Gold Shave Clinton

Aftershave:  Strike Gold Shave Clinton

Closeness and Efficiency: 10/10, BBS with smooth sailing.

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• Perfect pairing of Polsilver blade and Blackbird razor. 

• Amazing long lasting scent with awesome post feel. 

SOTD: Wednesday August 9, 2017

Razor: PAA Alpha Ecliptic 

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword  

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Wholly Kaw Monaco Royale 

Aftershave: Wholly Kaw Monaco Royale

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10 to 9/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• Really smooth Shaver where the angle does all the work. 

• Amazing performance as always with Wholly Kaw.

SOTD: Tuesday August 8, 2017

Razor: Blackbird from Blackland Razors

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (3rd use)

Brush: Stirling Soap Co. Boar Hair 

Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Stirling Blu 

Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Stirling Blu

Post Fragrance: Guess 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9/10

SOTD: Monday August 7, 2017

Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (2nd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Strike Gold Shave Clinton 

Aftershave: Strike Gold Shave Clinton

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

• After initial use of this yesterday I was blown away by the post feel and lasting scent, so I am going to use this combo as my daily driver for the next few days. I've had samples of Mason Boutique before and this is a consistent product.

• Top notch customer service from Frank and Strike Gold Shave. 

• Masculine scent. Imagine a more pleasant cologne-like version of Tabac .

SOTD: Sunday August 6, 2017

Razor: Mühle R41

Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (1st use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: Strike Gold Shave Clinton 

Aftershave: Strike Gold Shave Clinton

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 10/10

First whiff this comes off as better smelling Tabac. The scent really comes out once it's lathered, and the aftershave has really good scent strength.

SOTD: Saturday August 5, 2017

Razor: Parker Variant (restored by Delta Echo)

Blade: Perma-Sharp (4th use)

Brush: Custom Made Tuxedo Knot 24MM

Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Cedarwood

Aftershave: Lucky Tiger 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9/10

Performance: 10/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• Cedarwood has became one of my top TOBS scents. 

• My first (of which I hope is many) custom made brush.

SOTD: Friday August 4, 2017

Razor: Feather Artist Club Shavette 

Blade: Feather Super Professional (4th use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Cream: C.O. Bigelow (by Proraso)

Aftershave: Proraso Green 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 8/10 for cream, 9.5/10 for aftershave. 

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9/10 to 9.5/10

• Nice, close, nick-free shave with the shavette.

SOTD: Thursday August 3, 2017

Razor: Wunderbar from Italian Barber 

Blade: Perma-Sharp (3rd use)

Brush: DeLuxe Shaving Co. 30MM Silvertip 

Soap: DeLuxe Shaving Co. Doo-Wop Barbershop Citrus

Aftershave: DeLuxe Shaving Co. Doo-Wop Barbershop Citrus Balm 

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10

Scent Subjectivity: 9.5/10

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• Citrus comes out with the lather, very pleasing scent. Worked really well with a bowl lather. 

• The balm provides an excellent post feel. 

• Top notch customer service from Anthony. A lot of thought and creativity has gone into these products and labels. 

SOTD: Wednesday August 2, 2017

Razor: Hone Type 15

Blade: Perma-Sharp (2nd use)

Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip 

Soap: D.R. Harris Marlborough 

Aftershave: D.R. Harris Marlborough

Closeness and Efficiency: 9/10

Scent Subjectivity: 8.5/10 to 9/10

Performance: 9/10 to 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• After purchasing the Marlborough shaving stick for my gym bag or travel, I did enjoy the scent enough to spring for the soap and aftershave.

• The aftershave is not as strongly scented as the soap.

SOTD: Tuesday August 1, 2017

Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)

Blade: Perma-Sharp (1st use)  

Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze 

Soap: The Shaving Shop Barbershop Poivre Rosé

Aftershave: The Shaving Shop Barbershop Poivre Rosé

Closeness and Efficiency: 9.5/10 to 10/10, very close to full BBS.

Scent Subjectivity: 10/10!! 

Performance: 9.5/10

Post Shave Feel: 9.5/10

• Fantastic scent, a cologne-like Barbershop wii a spicy peppercorn note.

• The Timeless and Perma-Sharp blades were a perfect match with a smooth shave and a smooth face a few hours later still.