Safe travels, though I don’t envy you. GEM razors are worth the experience. My favorite is the MMOC, but I have only tried a few.
November 27, 2024 -- WestMan Wednesday
Brush: Wald Stratos Haunter 29mm A1
Blade Holder: Gillette Slim Aristocrat H4 (setting: 5)
Blade: Gillette Nacet (6)
Lather: WestMan Shaving - Alma - Soap
Aftershave: WestMan Shaving - Alma - Aftershave Balm
Talc: Yardley Gold
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Rose, musk, oud. Great way to start the day!
Did Eld, Semaj, and VW source these razors as well?
November 26, 2024
Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
Blade Holder: Gillette Aristocrat UK #21
Blade: Gillette Nacet (5)
Lather: Los Jabones de Joserra - Blas de Lezo - Soap
Aftershave: Noble Otter - Cerberus - Aftershave
Talc: Yardley Classic
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Today's SLS. Such a different experience in scent and in soap base from this morning. If you used Noir for a while, you'd have a hard time believing this soap came from the same maker. A very enjoyable evening shave.
November 26, 2024
Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
Razor: Böker 14er 8/8 Full Hollow
Lather: Los Jabones de Joserra - Noir - Soap
Aftershave: Noble Otter - Cerberus - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
FLS, but I'm posting it late. Noir is an interesting soap. The scent is well blended and mild-medium, and quite suitable for fall/winter. The soap is very dark gray in the tub, and the lather is light gray. It has activated charcoal in it, and I think this is the only soap base that Jose makes that has it. Interesting stuff to use!
the razor is mostly made of bent sheet metal, and has a hollow plastic handle.
Ugh. Can't imagine how disgusted the designer of the TTO mechanism had to be about this. He (probably a he/him) might have been long gone at that point. This is now post WWII.
Another comment. The marketing miracle of plastic is starting to gain momentum in the 50's.
Haverford++;
November 25, 2024
Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
Blade Holder: Gillette Fatboy E4 (setting: 4)
Blade: Gillette Nacet (4)
Lather: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud - Soap
Aftershave: Wholly Kaw - King of Oud - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Wonderful scent to this soap and splash. I want to get a decant of Creed Royal Oud to see how well this dupe honors the original scent.
With Cheshire and TNeV out there and wildly popular, 42 seems like it was a risk for Will. He obviously pulled it off as many of us have this soap. As good as Cheshire is, I find 42 more interesting. If I had to limit myself to one, though, it would be TNeV.
November 25, 2024
Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
Blade Holder: Smart Helix Apollo (setting: 0.5mm Plate)
Blade: Gillette Nacet (3)
Lather: Barrister and Mann - Hallows - Soap
Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Hallows - Aftershave
Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Hallows - Eau de Toilette
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This is one of those scents that is greater than the sum of its parts. The scent notes are vetiver, oakmoss, black pepper, cocoa, labdanum, and cedar, and the overall blend feels well-suited for fall/winter. Nothing citrus or light-floral about it. It is supposed to be reminiscent of a graveyard, or churchyard. Oddly, I kind of get that vibe from it, but there's warmth to it as well that makes it pleasing and something I'm happy to smell like until the EdT wears off.
November 24, 2024
Brush: Muninn Woodworks w/AP Shave Co 24mm Titanium Synthetic
Blade Holder: Blutt Rasur BR-1 (setting: 0.86 Plate)
Blade: Gillette Nacet (2)
Lather: Saponificio Varesino - Morado - Soap
Aftershave: Saponificio Varesino - Morado - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
November 27, 2024 -- Black Watchday
Brush: Wald Nimbus Bloodline 27mm J3
Blade Holder: Blackland Razors Blackbird Ti
Blade: Gillette Nacet (7)
Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Soap
Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Aftershave
Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Eau de Toilette
Talc: Yardley Classic
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
The combination of the Blackbird and Black Watch is hard to beat. A luxurious SLS.