Anything that can go wrong will happen while I'm shaving...

Good to know, Paul. Now I have another brush project! Made it almost 7 days with no brush or knot to set, ha ha. I had to do that with my G5A, set it as high as I could without if popping out.

The G5C is an odd knot IMO. Like you said, you gotta set it as high as possible.

I prefer the 26mm 2BED. Too bad that it was discontinued!

The G5C is an odd knot IMO. Like you said, you gotta set it as high as possible.

I prefer the 26mm 2BED. Too bad that it was discontinued!

Ooh I definitely prefer the 2BED, as well. Unfortunately, we gotta move on if they're really done making them. At least we have the G5C figured out.

So I've gotten a couple shaves in now with the PAA preshave. This is some good stuff! Now I'm now wondering how long it might last me? I followed the directions (which I think may have been on the box): wash face with it, then reapply for a preshave coating. So, essentially I get two uses per shave (and shave every other day), so 365 uses a year?

I know some members here use it (jluc tehnothing )... Any input you guys can give me on how long a block lasts you? I guess I could also pose the question to PAA themselves, since we have CaD314 as our very own rep.

Thanks folks for any info you can provide.

If it's the cube, I've read good things about it and that it lasts FOREVER !! No experience myself.

If it's the cube, I've read good things about it and that it lasts FOREVER !! No experience myself.

Yep. The PAA Cube... 8oz large. I'm guessing it'll go a year, but I may be under or over estimating how speedily it washes away.

So most of my end of 2021 acquisitions are in. Only thing outstanding is a PIF from Eric Smattayu , who is reopening Sorrentino Brushworks. I'll post that in a bit (after it's received). Flipping back, I then realized that I didn't seem to post these. So, as a quick digest, here's is the sum of my end of year bonanza (kinda lackluster, but I promised myself I wouldn't go crazy):

A tub of CBL Velvet wood. Frank and I were discussing iColoniali (sp?) and I remembered CBL had a soap of this likeness. When I went and looked it was at a great discount. Chris told me it is very light and not an exact duplicate. Still, I had never tried iC so I figured at this price (and since I had only a short while before sabatical), I'd give it a shot. It is a very light scent mostly of wood (I believe guacwood?). I feel like I pick up a hint of something more, but it's fleeting in the tub and gone on drydown. Still a nice dry-wood scent, and maybe good for cold weather... Just a surprise from what I thought it would be. Chris also tossed in a large sample of two other soaps: Private Reserve and another iteration of Sir Irish.

I know I had a whole write up on my brush building, but I don't see where I ever posted a picture of the finalized 'amateur-hour creation'. Somehow I not only widened the hole, but I also made the edge uneven. Nonetheless, It works very well (with the 24mm Maggards knot I received) and doesn't look too horrible. Still, it's obvious someone with no skill (ME!) took to re-knotting it.

As discussed earlier with Dave Dave in KY (above), I got the PAA cube in. It's seen a few (3?) uses and it's a winner I believe. I plan to grab a backup or two come February. Hoping to figure out how long it lasts... But that may be too subjective for anyone (especially PAA) to weigh in on. Either that or no one has ever actually finished one... Like the owl and the Tootsie Pop commercial from the '80s.

Finally, this hand-held copper shave dish from Etsy. I've been using a spare top to a soap dish for charging shaving creams, samples, or soft soaps (like Greenfresh, which I won't load from the tub). I decided to try something classier in appearance. This fits so well in my palm and just like the Turkish bowl it's based on, does a great job of agitation for the soap creation. I could easily pack it for travel, if I wanted to. A nice cheap acquisition, imo.

Sad how CBL is trying to copy Frank Dragonsbeard with his "emolient blend".......

I like the bowl and nice job on the knot. Looks good to me !

Sad how CBL is trying to copy Frank Dragonsbeard with his "emolient blend".......

I like the bowl and nice job on the knot. Looks good to me !

This side is a bit more level, but has the HUGE silicone glob from the gap. I'll add a pic of the wonkier sanded side in a minute. Otherwise, my statement makes no sense (like most of what I say on a daily basis, lol).

Edit: Here it is, in all it's wobbly glory.

Sad how CBL is trying to copy Frank Dragonsbeard with his "emolient blend".......

I like the bowl and nice job on the knot. Looks good to me !

This side is a bit more level, but has the HUGE silicone glob from the gap. I'll add a pic of the wonkier sanded side in a minute. Otherwise, my statement makes no sense (like most of what I say on a daily basis, lol).

Edit: Here it is, in all it's wobbly glory.

Honestly, it's one of those things that will drive the owner nuts but few if anyone else will notice it. Enjoy it Paul