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

I will most likely wait a bit longer, as I am trying to find my favorites, in both knot and handle, and maybe sell off some stuff this fall. Razors as well, since if I am not using it, maybe someone else will.

I will most likely wait a bit longer, as I am trying to find my favorites, in both knot and handle, and maybe sell off some stuff this fall. Razors as well, since if I am not using it, maybe someone else will.

That makes sense, Eric.

I recently cleaned house here and I am quite happy with the outcome. Two razors, six brushes, two soaps, and 2 aftershaves... Minimalist and efficient. I will probably add 1-2 more soaps and maybe (or maybe not) a 7th brush at some point... for the math of it (7 brushes equals each only get used once every two weeks exactly).

Additionally, I have nothing laying around that I don't use. That part makes me very happy.

I will most likely wait a bit longer, as I am trying to find my favorites, in both knot and handle, and maybe sell off some stuff this fall. Razors as well, since if I am not using it, maybe someone else will.

That makes sense, Eric.

I recently cleaned house here and I am quite happy with the outcome. Two razors, six brushes, two soaps, and 2 aftershaves... Minimalist and efficient. I will probably add 1-2 more soaps and maybe (or maybe not) a 7th brush at some point... for the math of it (7 brushes equals each only get used once every two weeks exactly).

Additionally, I have nothing laying around that I don't use. That part makes me very happy.

Nicely done, Paul! I hope to follow your lead soon, but I won't be quite as minimal. Maybe minimal within categories?! 

I will most likely wait a bit longer, as I am trying to find my favorites, in both knot and handle, and maybe sell off some stuff this fall. Razors as well, since if I am not using it, maybe someone else will.

That makes sense, Eric.

I recently cleaned house here and I am quite happy with the outcome. Two razors, six brushes, two soaps, and 2 aftershaves... Minimalist and efficient. I will probably add 1-2 more soaps and maybe (or maybe not) a 7th brush at some point... for the math of it (7 brushes equals each only get used once every two weeks exactly).

Additionally, I have nothing laying around that I don't use. That part makes me very happy.

SHOWOFF, but I'm proud of you

I will most likely wait a bit longer, as I am trying to find my favorites, in both knot and handle, and maybe sell off some stuff this fall. Razors as well, since if I am not using it, maybe someone else will.

That makes sense, Eric.

I recently cleaned house here and I am quite happy with the outcome. Two razors, six brushes, two soaps, and 2 aftershaves... Minimalist and efficient. I will probably add 1-2 more soaps and maybe (or maybe not) a 7th brush at some point... for the math of it (7 brushes equals each only get used once every two weeks exactly).

Additionally, I have nothing laying around that I don't use. That part makes me very happy.

Where's the fun in that?  Nicely done.

I will most likely wait a bit longer, as I am trying to find my favorites, in both knot and handle, and maybe sell off some stuff this fall. Razors as well, since if I am not using it, maybe someone else will.

That makes sense, Eric.

I recently cleaned house here and I am quite happy with the outcome. Two razors, six brushes, two soaps, and 2 aftershaves... Minimalist and efficient. I will probably add 1-2 more soaps and maybe (or maybe not) a 7th brush at some point... for the math of it (7 brushes equals each only get used once every two weeks exactly).

Additionally, I have nothing laying around that I don't use. That part makes me very happy.

Where's the fun in that?  Nicely done.

I have to say, the LEAST fun part - by a looooongshot - was dropping the scented soaps.

Still, between dumping scents... ditching lanolin... adjusting my brushes to the softer knots... and keeping to one smooth razor, I'm getting good results... so far (knock on wood).

I've been wet shaving for over 5 years now. I won't say it's been smooth sailing. I've had plenty of bumps in the road. I definitely have sensitive skin. Still, I've noticed a steady decline in the past year. I also started taking medicine which appears to possibly have affected the situation. So a change was necessary.

Regardless, I'm happy. I just hope it lasts.

... and maybe (or maybe not) a 7th brush at some point... for the math of it (7 brushes equals each only get used once every two weeks exactly).

I've been thinking about this and looking around. I think, at this point, I'm going to hold off on my '7th brush' for a nice vintage brush by Freddie Freddiep318ti .

His work is amazing and I've been considering adding a vintage piece for some time. So, I think this is a good plan. Of course, I'm not in any rush. So, whenever one of his projects that catches my eye hits the BST, I'll be ready.

So I decided to pick up a caliper. Considering the issue I had with the APShaveCo brush, it's nice to be able to figure out exactly what's going on. Especially if I run into any fitting issues in the future.

As a baseline (because it's unset and needs to be re-glued) : My 28mm cashmere fan is 27.3 at the base and 27.8 at the glue bump.

This 26mm Synbad, which feels stiff, and unlike any previous Synbad I've had, is 26.5 at the base and 27.2 at the glue bump. Wow!

So, that explains why it wouldn't fit into the handle, beyond the base (Paul drills his 26mm holes to 27mm). It doesn't really explain why it won't splay well, other than something in manufacturing... As it obviously wasn't made right (too big).

Regardless, it's going to be replaced. I went and bought a new one the other day. I just hope that one wasn't built wonky, too.

I'll know sometime next week. If so, my backup plan is a Oumo motherlode. Those have a lot of good reviews for being like the cashmere / synbad.

Fingers crossed!

(edit: As a bonus, I'm going to start measuring everything with this caliper... It's a bonafide new toy! Lol.)

So I decided to pick up a caliper. Considering the issue I had with the APShaveCo brush, it's nice to be able to figure out exactly what's going on. Especially if I run into any fitting issues in the future.

As a baseline (because it's unset and needs to be re-glued) : My 28mm cashmere fan is 27.3 at the base and 27.8 at the glue bump.

This 26mm Synbad, which feels stiff,  and unlike any previous Synbad I've had, is 26.5 at the base and 27.2 at the glue bump. Wow!

So, that explains why it wouldn't fit into the handle, beyond the base (Paul drills his 26mm holes to 27mm). It doesn't really explain why it won't splay well, other than something in manufacturing... As it obviously wasn't made right (too big).

Regardless, it's going to be replaced. I went and bought a new one the other day. I just hope that one wasn't built wonky, too.

I'll know sometime next week. If so, my backup plan is a Oumo motherlode. Those have a lot of good reviews for being like the cashmere / synbad.

Fingers crossed!

(edit: As a bonus, I'm going to start measuring everything with this caliper... It's a bonafide new toy! Lol.)





I have a very similar caliper and have used it to check blade widths, brush depths & diameters, and knot diameters.  Absolutely a bonafide toy.  Enjoy!

Another great shave with the Karve Aluminum. Second shave on the Nacets blade... it'll see three before it's tossed.

Most of my shaves are with the Zingari unscented. I just like the hard puck better than creams. It feels more traditional to load from the tub and lather on the face. That said, I probably won't pickup any more of the Macduffs.

As I've been doing lately, today I added 2 drops of Stirling Frost drops to the brush for the last (ATG) pass. I'm really enjoying how that feels with the innate sensitivity of ATG shaving. For anyone reading this that doesn't know, it's simple ingredients list include: water, menthol, glycerin, and polysorbate (whatever that's for).

I decided to use the 28mm brush, again. It worked wonderfully, as it has an ultra soft cashmere knot. However, it's huge... both in the hand and the knot. For me, that detracts from the joy. It is going back to being a display piece for a while. If it were smaller, it would likely be my favorite... my wife picked a stunning brush 'pour', imo.

First world problems, lol. Have a great start to your weekend folks!