Thu Oct 10 2024

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Tabak Oridjinal, now with 28 mm Gelousy knot
• Razor: F. Rolli Rolli's Hollow Ground 5/8" (carbon steel, barber's notcho)
• Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original

This little Rolli was produced right here in the old town of Lausanne, 5 minutes on foot from my apartment sometime before 1937. It's in surprisingly great condition and I enjoy the mix of modern and old styles: The barber's notch and the prominent etching on the face are clearly inspired by Sheffield razors of the second half of the 19th century while the fully chamfered spine and the transition from the chamfer to the square cross section of the tang can often be seen on modern (i.e., first half of the 20th century and later) German straight razors. I'm also amused by the mismatch between the small size (5/8") and these design cues from much larger razors. The mirror finish is also neat.

I prefer larger blades, but great shaves like today's make me think I might not have right reasons for this preference.

Wed Oct 09 2024

• Brush: Zenith – 506 N XS (extra soft horse)
• Razor: Böker – 14er (8/8", extra hollow, carbon steel, square point)
• Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original

This concludes a week of shaves with 14-type razors with a stellar shave. After a lacklustre bout with the factory edge, I refreshed the edge, and there it is, that smooth, soft extra hollow feeling. This modern 14 is really on par with the Fili, Frio, and Henckels originals. I'm really looking forward to comparing this to the Moarteen soon.

Zenith extra soft horse ++;

Sun Oct 06 2024

• Brush: Zenith 506B MB (27 mm × 51 mm Manchurian badger)
• Razor: Thiers Issard 14 Médaille d'Or 1921 Exposition d'Algier Acier Spécial (7/8", extra hollow, square point, carbon steel)
• Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original

Continuing my run through my 14s with this vintage TI. The razor hasn't been stored properly by a previous owner and has specks of surface rust as a result. The rust is purely a cosmetic issue though, and none of the edge is affected. Coincidentally, this TI 14 Médaille d'Or 1921 Exposition d'Algier actually came to me from a Moroccan seller.

This one feels a bit different than most 14s I've tried in that it's much less loud. Even though visually, the grinds look similar, this TI certainly sounds like a thicker grind. It feels more like a 17 than a 14 IMO, but that's just saying that it feels like a different fantastic razor.

Happy Sunday to you all!

Fri Oct 04 2024

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Tabak Oridjinal, now with 28 mm Gelousy knot
• Razor: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Friodur 14 (8/8", extra hollow ground, stainless steel)
• Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original

My new Böker 14er is waiting on the to-hone pile, but I still wanted some 14 goodness today, so I brought out the trusty Friodur, hands-down my favourite razor. The 14 form factor and it's stainless? What's not to love?

Unsurprisingly, I had a wonderful stankening with this tried and true hard and software.

There's a saying that it takes 100 open blade shaves to become proficient at it, so don't expect the awkwardness to go away immediately.

May I ask what kind of shavette you got? Of it's one that takes DE blades (full or half), those are asking the more difficult open blade razors to learn to handle.

Oh this sounds good

Tue Oct 01 2024

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts Tabak Oridjinal, now with 28 mm Gelousy knot
• Razor: Böker Abalone
• Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original
• Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz – Tabac Original

Wonderful shave this morning. After 60 days of using a SOC boar brush, this gigantic, luxurious, and warm badger fan was a more than welcome change. It's on the floppy side and I will probably pull it out and drill a deeper hole in this handle at some point, but if I account for it, I still get wonderful lathers with it.

The beautiful Böker with the dangerous point was wonderfully smooth, and I'm always impressed by the ergonomics of Böker shanks with their best-in-class jimping. This Abalone, my vintage S.S. Paris Wins, and u/Visceralwatch's King Cutter (which I need to send off ASAP) all have this, and I really appreciate it.

I wish you all a great day, and happy TabOKtoberfest to those who celebrate!

Tobacconist ++

Day 23/31 of Looking for Serenity in Austerity

• Brush: Semogue Owner's Club (cherry wood and boar) (23)
• Razor: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Friodur 50 (7/8", hollow ground, stainless steel, masonic deco) (6)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice

Break-in progress has seemingly stalled for the brush. I don't feel any day-to-day changes anymore, but the tips haven't split yet, so I'm getting curious about when this might start, as I expect a significant change in how the brush feels at that point. I might have to continue this break in through Straightember.

Very nice early morning shave.

$FriodomRiders $HoneMeisterschaft $RawHoggin

Day 20/31 of Looking for Serenity in Austerity

• Brush: Semogue Owner's Club (cherry wood and boar) (20)
• Razor: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Friodur 50 (7/8", hollow ground, stainless steel, masonic deco) (3)
• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice
• Post Shave: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice
• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Roman Spice

The edge has hit its stride and – at peak smoothness now – is a joy to use. I like hollow grounds for their gentle touch, and I like heavy blades for their smoothness ATG. When a comparatively light blade like this one gives you a smooth fool's pass, you know the edge is on point.

I saw and photographed split tips in the brush a few days ago, but I can't find them anymore, and the brush seems in no hurry to start a mass splitting event. I'm starting to feel impatient.

$FriodomRiders $HoneMeisterschaft $RawHoggin

😆

I bet!