Happy New Year! It is 15 minutes away in Germany as I write this :)
With one shave on it I assume it'll be pretty close to how it looked when fresh after stropping.
Yes, definitely. I don't do it anymore, but I used to do a microscope inspection of each razor after I did a test shave. I've seen enough of how edges change from one test shave to have confidence that the edge is almost unaffected.
- Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. Heavy 6/8 Hollow Ground Square Point
- Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. Henry's X 6/8" Hollow Ground Square Point
- Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Aftershave
3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was a test shave for edges from two Vermont slate stones; a mottled grey stone and a purple stone. The two Geneva Cutlery razors had the same geometry and steel and tested at the same level of keenness when they were sharpened. I found that the two edges were very similar, with the edge from the mottled grey stone having comfort similar to a Thuringian edge, while the one from the purple stone had more of an Arkansas edge feel to it.
The mottled grey stone takes a little more effort while sharpening because it is porous and requires hydration maintenance. The purple stone, like most razor finishers, is just splash-n-go.
November 8, 2025
- Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
- Razor: Gillette President Y-2
- Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Stainless (Green) (1)
- Lather: Ariana & Evans - The Undersea - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Ariana & Evans - The Undersea - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I'm continuing to enjoy BBS Novemboar. Almost done with my A&E soaps. I think Undersea is blended very well. It's obviously aquatic but keeps me guessing while I use it.
Yesterday's Gillette President was a restored model that was gold plated, but this one is an unrestored, vintage rhodium version. Even though I rarely pick up my DE razors these days, I enjoy them when I do use them.
How could I say no to that?
Because there are generally consequences to saying no 😉
October 30, 2025
- Brush: Wald Nimbus Chryselephantine 29mm A1 Fan
- Razor: Koraat 6/8" Full Hollow
- Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Noble Otter - Cerberus - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus - Eau de Parfum
3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This trifecta is so good, it deserves a new release. I have received positive comments on this in public and even the dog (who often seems as if he has three heads) likes this scent.
I agree with you about the Premium base.
I know that DFTR stands for Done for the Retirement in CB world, but every time I see it, I think "Don't Fear the Reaper".
(More cowbell)
October 29, 2025 -- Black WatchDay
- Brush: Wald Stratos Goldvein 29mm A1 Fan
- Razor: Parker 510 13/16" Square Point Full Hollow
- Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Eau de Toilette
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Using this setup was a great way to start the day. These Seaforth! scents are far too good to go away when Dennis closes his shop.
October 25, 2025
- Brush: Wolfman WRB2 Bronze w/AP Shave Co MiG 26mm Premium Hybrid
- Razor: Wolfman Razors WR4/WRH3
- Blade: Feather Artist Club Professional (1)
- Lather: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
- Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Awesome shave. This is a new tub. I like the scent so much that this is the only soap I have ever killed.
I like this knot and might transfer it to a new Rad Dino handle
Absolutely the sort of thing that I procrastinate. I have three knots sitting in a drawer waiting for handles, and I have one brush with a knot that needs to be removed.
October 14, 2025 -- Tabac Tuesday
- Brush: Wald Nimbus Bloodline 27mm J3
- Razor: Gillette Aristocrat UK #21
- Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (1)
- Lather: Mäurer and Wirtz - Tabac - Soap
- Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
- Aftershave: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac - Aftershave
- Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac - Eau de Toilette
- Talc: Yardley Gold
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I very much like that Tabac dates from the late 50's. It has that old-timey feel to it. The tallow-based lather is great and after watching u/sgrdddy evaluate the vegan one, I'll stop using this soap when my tallow puck is done. This will make me appreciate each shave a little more. The EdT, btw, is great. much higher key in scent detail and more refined than the soap or splash. This was an evening shave for me. Time for a beverage and a tabac of another kind 🙂
gcgallant
joined 8 months ago
If you organize another buy, and if the tariff situation changes, Outback would probably be my choice.
Nice setup today! Bleu de Chanel (duped by Deep Blue Sea) is one of my favorites.