gcgallant

January 31, 2025

• Brush: Wald Nimbus Chryselephantine 29mm A1 Fan

• Razor: Iwasaki 13/16" Full Hollow Square Point Tamahagane

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Heather - Soap

• Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Heather - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Creed - Green Irish Tweed

• Talc: Yardley Classic
   
  2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

This was one of those days when I really took notice of the spiciness in Heather. Such a distinctive fougère! Interestlngly (for me), I found the same feel for spice in the balance of the fragrance in Green Irish Tweed.

The razor today was the first Iwasaki that I bought. It has my Jnat edge on it. Sometime in the future, I'll do a comparison between shaves from my two Iwasaki razors. The other razor does not have my edge, but I bet the two are indistinguishable.

It is! I proposed it for BVWSC in March.

Faena Taurus

fragrance of musk, whisky and wood

An amazing soap base; especially for straight razor shavers:

The addition of water buffalo milk from Northern Greece gently melds with the renowned Greek goat yoghurt to become the central piece of this new formula. They combine to improve the cleansing and nourishment factors. The addition of organic shea butter and peach kernel oil enhance the conditioning properties and the gliding of the new formula. Aloe vera and home crafted St. John’s wort oil tame the end-result to eliminate skin irritation.

Have a great time!

I should use it more regularly.

The Frios are great. Early in our straight razor collecting journey, @[email protected] and I were puzzled by the common representation of stainless razors as being inferior to those that aren't stainless. The solution? Stainless is a different steel. A razor that has great geometry (think Frio 14), made with stainless, and properly honed, is every bit as good a shaver as a carbon-steel razor in the same geometry.

I decided on a Taurus Tuesday at the last minute. TNeV sets the standard for tea scents. Amazing stuff!

January 28, 2025

• Brush: Wolfman WRB2 Bronze w/AP Shave Co MiG 26mm Premium Hybrid

• Razor: Parker 510 13/16" Square Point Full Hollow

• Lather: Faena - Taurus - Soap

• Aftershave: Elysian Soap Shop - El Dorado - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Fabulous shave today. The fragrance (musk, whiskey, and wood) is mild but the soap base (for which Faena is quite proud) is just exceptional. I don't use this enough!

January 26, 2025

• Brush: Brad Sears Arley 26mm Super Badger

• Razor: Puma 89 #1 11/16 Full Hollow - Black Shadow

• Razor: Puma 89 #2 11/16 Full Hollow - Escher

• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Amber Bomba - Soap

• Aftershave: Wholly Kaw - Amber Bomba - Toner

• Talc: Yardley Classic
   
  2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Great shave comparing a Black Shadow edge on Puma #1 with an Escher edge on Puma #2.

video

Maybe I’ll complain more about the menthol again next time

I think menthol/WS-23 is way overdone, and I have a suspicion that it is used to cater to those who regularly have irritation when they shave.

January 25, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar

• Razor: Koraat 7/8" Near Wedge Spanish Point

• Lather: Pasteur|Master Soap Creations - Bloom - Soap

• Aftershave: Pasteur|Master Soap Creations - Bloom - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Tom Ford - Black Orchid - Eau de Parfum

• Talc: Yardley Gold
   
  2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I am always a bit surprised by Bloom. It is a dupe (and a pretty good one) of Tom Ford Black Orchid. Black Orchid is a fragrance that I find masculine despite its name and description. Here's what I get from the internet:

The opening of Black Orchid is beautiful and complex, with dark, sweet floral and fruity notes mixed with citrus, all overlaid by the rich, earthy truffle. As Black Orchid dries down, the subtle spicy notes enhance the sweet darkness of the fruity florals

On the face of it, I would not think this is a scent I'd like, but, for me, the blend is such that I only pick up hints of the fruity and floral notes and in the dry-down these add a touch of mystery to what comes across with a spicy earthiness.

January 24, 2025

• Brush: Wild West Brushworks Blue Space 26mm Cashmere

• Razor: Filarmonica 12 Doble Temple 5/8" Full Hollow

• Lather: Catie's Bubbles - Blugère - Soap

• Aftershave: Catie's Bubbles - Blugère - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Floris of London - Elite - Eau de Toilette

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Excellent shave today. The little Fili 12 (5/8) is light and maneuverable with great balance and feel.

it’s right up my alley

Though I have worked with people from almost all branches of the US military, I have never heard the acronym DFTR in the way Chris describes it. I look at DFTR and hear the main guitar riff from (Don't Fear) the Reaper in my head. Reason enough to buy the soap :)