Sunday, December 31, 2017
Saturday, December 30, 2017
Wednesday, December 27, 2017
Monday, December 25, 2017
Sunday, December 24, 2017
Saturday, December 23, 2017
Friday, December 22, 2017
Wednesday, December 20, 2017
Monday, December 18, 2017
SOTD: Monday December 18, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Personna Blue (2nd use)
Brush: St. James of London Badger
Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Platinum
Aftershave: Chatillon Lux Fourth & Pine
Comments/Overall Thoughts: This razor makes really highlights the smoothness of these blades. Settings 3, 2 and 1 through the various passes-all smooth. I don’t know if the formulation on the Platinum cream is different (I’ve never thought twice to look), but it does seem to be easier to lather. Keeping in mind it could be my perception too. The brush’s knot is floppy but my practice with natural hair brushes has paid off. I must say I did get excellent customer service from St. James of London when the brush I ordered was out of stock and they sent me this one at the end of the day.
This shave was repeated the following day.
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Friday, December 15, 2017
SOTD: Friday December 15, 2017
Razor: Blackland Razors Blackbird
Blade: Timor (1st use)
Brush: That Darn Rob “Old Cahaba”
Soap: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Aftershave: Barbedeaux
Comments/Overall Thoughts: This produced the best lather I’ve whipped up in a good while despite smelling like a funeral home. I am aiming for a nourishing post feel today with this lanolin based soap and this particular aftershave (which has been one of my favorite post products of the year).
Monday, December 11, 2017
SOTD: Monday December 11, 2017
Razor: Timeless (.95 Blade Gap)
Blade: Personna Red (3rd use)
Brush: That Darn Rob “Old Cahaba”
Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Cedarwood
Aftershave: Chatillon Lux Fourth & Pine
Comments/Overall Thoughts: First time using Chatillon Lux and I am impressed with the post feel and decent amount of residual scent. I was advised since this is merely the concentration to apply to a wet face or add a couple drops of water.
Saturday, December 9, 2017
SOTD: Saturday December 9, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Personna Red (1st use)
Brush: That Darn Rob “Old Cahaba”
Soap: Elvado Mayan Vanilla Almond
Aftershave Balm: The Stray Whisker After Balm
Comments/Overall Thoughts: Good consistency and residual slickness on soap. The barbershop-style handle on the TDR brush fits perfectly in the hand and is big enough to get a nice firm grip. Flawless craftsmanship.
Thursday, December 7, 2017
SOTD: Thursday December 7, 2017
Razor: Blackland Razors Blackbird
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (3rd use)
Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze
Soap: Proraso White
Aftershave Balm: Proraso White
Comments/Overall Thoughts: Smooth and efficient all around. This is my favorite scent in the Proraso lineup (followed by the Sandalwood).
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Tuesday, December 5, 2017
Sunday, December 3, 2017
SOTD: Sunday December 3, 2017
Razor: Blackland Razors Blackbird
Blade: Personna Red (3rd use)
Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip
Soap: D.R. Harris Marlborough
Aftershave: D.R. Harris Marlborough
Comments/Overall Thoughts: After using the Blackbird yesterday morning I decided to use it again today, and this setup sure delivered a smooth shave this morning. D.R. Harris although light in fragrance comes through in performance and post feel.
Friday, December 1, 2017
Thursday, November 30, 2017
Wednesday, November 29, 2017
SOTD: Wednesday November 29, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Personna Red (3rd use)
Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip
Cream: Geo. F. Trumper Sandalwood
Aftershave Balm : Geo. F. Trumper Sandalwood
Comments/Overall Thoughts: Easily lathered, not a traditional straight sandalwood scent, but more cologne-like.
Monday, November 27, 2017
SOTD: Monday November 27, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Personna Red (1st use)
Brush: Omega Boar Hair
Soap: Col. Conk Almond
Aftershave: Ginger’s Garden Almond
Comments/Overall Thoughts:
Slick and enjoyable scent.
The skin food in the splash was evident hours after in my post feel.
The larger knot on this brush gave it amazing splay.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
SOTD: Sunday November 26, 2017
Razor: Feather Artist Club Shavette
Blade: Feather Professional (2nd use)
Brush: Rich Hansen Custom Handle, 24MM Synthetic Tuxedo Knot
Soap: Wholly Kaw Merchant of Tobacco
Aftershave Balm: Wholly Kaw Merchant of Tobacco
Comments/Overall Thoughts: My technique with this razor has improved substantially, where I have decided to revisit it twice in the last week. I’m always impressed how this gets those hard to get spots with ease that some DE razors struggle with.
As always Wholly Kaw lathered easily and provided a wonderful consistency. This scent is sweet, but enjoyable. As weird as this description sounds it almost reminds me of a Tootsie Roll combined with the tobacco notes.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
SOTD: Saturday November 25, 2017
Razor: 1959 Gillette $1.95 “Fatboy”
Blade: Gillette 7’Clock (4th use)
Brush: Maggard Synthetic 22MM in Bronze
Soap: Strike Gold Shave Ike Shave Stick
Aftershave: Strike Gold Shave Ike
Comments/Overall Thoughts: Definitely a cleaner scent and somewhat floral to my nose (likely the Violet note). Overall pretty good scent, I have yet to try one of the scents in this lineup or made by Jennifer that I didn’t like. I pulled out the vintage Fatboy for this shave which was produced during Ike’s second term.
Friday, November 24, 2017
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Monday, November 20, 2017
SOTD: Monday November 20, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (3rd use)
Brush: Rich Hansen Custom Handle, 24MM Synthetic Tuxedo Knot
Cream: C.O. Bigelow (made by Proraso)
Aftershave: Proraso
Comments/Overall Thoughts: Settings 3-1 on the face throughout the various passes, and setting 1 on the neck provided a really smooth, close and comfortable shave.
Sunday, November 19, 2017
SOTD: Sunday November 19, 2017
Razor: Timeless (.95 Blade Gap)
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword (2nd use)
Brush: Rich Hansen Custom Handle, 24MM Synthetic Tuxedo Knot
Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Margaritas In The Arctic
Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Margaritas In The Arctic
Comments/Overall Thoughts: A little menthol kick needed to clear the sinuses.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Friday, November 17, 2017
SOTD: Thursday November 16, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Personna (2nd use)
Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip
Soap: Strike Gold Shave Clinton
Aftershave: Strike Gold Shave Clinton
Comments/Overall Thoughts: I’m going to go see journalist Bob Woodward speak at the University of Utah in a couple of hours and I don’t have the Nixon soap. Clinton will do.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Razor Review: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
If you were to combine the classic design of the Personna Precision or Gibbs razors, with sleek modern elements of laser engraving;
the versatile adjustability of the Futur, with the practical two piece design of the 34C, and then machine all that into 316L stainless steel, you would probably get the Ambassador from Rex Supply Co.
After getting the razor nearly a week ago I went to my trusty Gillette Silver Blue blades. Settings 3 to 4 have been my ideal settings for most adjustables, and I found this had a lot of bite at this level. I dialed it down to settings 1.5 to 1 over the next few days and it resulted in a smooth shave. Although smooth and comfortable, I found myself doing a touch up after three passes. Today switching up the blade, I decided to go with the Personna lab blue blades. I put the razor to the “feel” test on my skin and determined I would start with setting 4, and I was blown away at how smooth it was! The best shave I had with this razor yet, with blades I have dismissed as not so reliable nonetheless. So today was the day I fell in love with the Ambassador.
The hollow threaded barrel handle allows water to go through the handle, and gives the razor a lighter weight and rinses out the components easier. There is not chatter with the longer notches when the blade is set. I also noticed the top cap has less curvature, making it easier to get into those hard to get spots.
The finish is beautiful, and the only two razors I’ve had that beat it out in that category are the Timeless and Blackbird.
What would be neat to see?
A brass version of this razor.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
SOTD: Tuesday November 14, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (4th use)
Brush: Rich Hansen Custom Handle, 24MM Synthetic Tuxedo Knot.
Soap: Reef Point Espresso
Aftershave: Reef Point Espresso
Comments/Overall Thoughts: Used Reef Point the past two days, and this is an underrated artisan we don’t see enough of. Awesome post from their soaps and splashes.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
SOTD: Sunday November 12, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2nd use)
Brush: Rich Hansen Custom Handle, 24MM Synthetic Tuxedo Knot
Soap: Wholly Kaw Monaco Royale
Aftershave: Wholly Kaw Monaco Royale
Comments/Overall Thoughts: Still “dialing in” the razor, and had a superb shave today. Setting 3 just had too much bite, and worked down to setting 2, 1.5 and 1 through various passes. I was blown away how smooth 1 to 1.5 was (for daily stubble anyway), where on other adjustables settings 3 to 4 typically seem to be the sweet spots.
Love the ass milk formula on Wholly Kaw. Wonderful consistency. I am exited to get my next Wholly Kaw soap I won in the 7 Sins of Wetshaving contest.
Veterans Day SOTD: Saturday November 11, 2017
Razor: Rex Supply Co. Ambassador
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1st use)
Brush: Rich Hansen Custom Made Handle, 24MM Tuxedo Knot
Soap: Soap Commander Honor
Aftershave Balm: Soap Commander Honor
Comments/Overall Thoughts: First use of the razor, settings 2.5 to 3 seem to be ideal for daily growth. The Soap Commander balms kick ass as always.
Saturday, November 11, 2017
SOTD: Friday November 10, 2017
Razor: Hone Type 15
Blade: Dorco Titan (2nd use)
Brush: West Coast Shaving Beacon Black Synthetic
Soap: Stirling Soap Co. Stirling Noir
Aftershave: Stirling Soap Co. Stirling Noir
Post Fragrance: Drakkar Noir
Comments/Overall Thoughts: The Titans are not the smoothest blade, but are significantly better than the Dorco blades I’ve tried in the past. Excellent performance from Stirling as always.
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
SOTD: Tuesday November 7, 2017
Razor: Timeless (.95 blade gap)
Blade: Dorco Titan (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: Drakkar Noir
Comments/Overall Thoughts: This soap/aftershave combo is nearly dead on for Drakkar Noir.
Monday, November 6, 2017
SOTD: Monday November 6, 2017
Razor: Alpha Ecliptic (Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements)
Blade: Dorco Titan (1st use)
Brush: Frank Shaving 26MM Silvertip
Cream: Taylor of Old Bond Street Coconut
Aftershave Balm: Lebelle Soaps Coconut Island
Comments/Overall Thoughts: I am impressed with how smooth this razor is, the head does all the work when finding the angle. After a couple years my two oldest TOBS creams are becoming gummy. Typically I’ll dab some on the face and then lather, but with the change in consistency it’s easier to bowl lather.
SOTD: Sunday November 5, 2017
Razor: Mühle R41
Blade: Kai (7th use!)
Brush: Rich Hansen Custom Handle, 24MM Synthetic
Soap: The Shaving Shop Barbershop Poivre Rosé
Aftershave: The Shaving Shop Barbershop Poivre Rosé
Comments/Overall Thoughts: My all time #1 scent combined with the R41 in hopes of taming the Kai blade going strong on it’s 7th use.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
SOTD: Saturday November 4, 2017
Razor: Italian Barber Wunderbar
Blade: Kai (6th use!!!)
Brush: DeLuxe Shaving Co. 30MM Silvertip
Soap: DeLuxe Shaving Co. Doo-Wop Barbershop Citrus
Aftershave: DeLuxe Shaving Co. Doo-Wop Barbershop Citrus Balm
Comments/Overall Thoughts: This is a nice citrus soft soap. This brush is one of my favorites, and although drawn to it by it’s awesome look, it really is a good value if you’re looking for an economical silvertip.
Frugal Friday SOTD: Friday November 3, 2017
Razor: Ming Shi 2000
Blade: Kai (5th use)
Brush: Omega Boar Hair
Soap: Col. Conk Almond
Aftershave: Ginger’s Garden Almond
Comments/Overall Thoughts: The Kai Blade is still shaving smooth after the 5th use, which is compelling me to buy more on my next purchase. Although I’m not typically a fan of smaller brushes, the boar hair on shorter knot of the 13522 Omega brush seems to stay nicer. During the second pass with the Ming Shi razor I went to dial up the aggressiveness, and noticed it was impossible with my slick hands and without a towel. I also noticed how it seemed to to give me more resistance than the Merkur Futur. I put both razors to the test shortly thereafter and confirmed the Ming Shi does have more resistance when adjusting.
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