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

I've had a brush in my cabinet for some time, but I didn't use because I didn't like the knot.  Much too large and floppy for me.  However, I like the handle, so I had the knot replaced with a boar knot:  24 mm with a 50 mm loft.  I've now used it for two shaves in a row and find it doesn't lather worth a darn.  This is the first time I've had a problem with a brush producing a good lather.  My assortment of brushes includes boar, badger and synthetic and all, when I use a quality soap, have produced a good lather from the start.  

I've read some posts that suggest a new boar knot needs a break in period.  My other two boar brushes didn't, but maybe this one is different.  It bums me because I love the look and feel of my new boar brush, but the performance (so far) stinks.

I never owned any natural fiber brush that did not benefit from a break in period. Some more than others. Reticence in releasing lather (i.e. being a lather hog) is a typical frustration with a new boar brush. This always gets better as it is broken in.

I can relate to starting a new job, especially if in a new to you field. Nov 6th will be 1 year at my new to me after working for myself for 30 years. Congrats and hope it's going well ! Good to see ya

Finished off a full tub of Stirling Sheep this evening. By my count, I got (about) 70 shave out of the tub (and I think I load heavy). That's almost 5 months for me, as I'm an every other day shaver.

So I picked up a scented soap sample. I miss them so and I figure if I try it slowly maybe I can get back in. So far so good. Two shaves in with Stirling Barbershop without any issues. In fact, today was one of my best shaves in a while .. and it smelled so good!

After I finish this sample (a full oz, so I probably have another 15 shaves), I may consider trying something else from Stirling. One scent at a time, though.

So I picked up a scented soap sample. I miss them so and I figure if I try it slowly maybe I can get back in. So far so good. Two shaves in with Stirling Barbershop without any issues. In fact, today was one of my best shaves in a while .. and it smelled so good!

After I finish this sample (a full oz, so I probably have another 15 shaves), I may consider trying something else from Stirling. One scent at a time, though.

Well, today is the 6th barbershop shave ( I think) without any issues. I'm already itching to try some other Stirling offerings. What a slippery slope, but I knew it was the case.

In the meantime I ordered a full tub of barbershop. Rod is out of it, and is (or was?) having trouble getting the scents, so I went elsewhere. I'm enjoying it too much to not secure my full tub. Fwiw, he hopes to get things back to normal around Thanksgiving or so.

Enjoy the rest of your Veterans Day weekend folks.

If you have trouble finding Stirling barbershop soap, Hub City Soap Co. Chats with Grandpa is the same scent. Decent base too. I just checked online and it looks like Hub City might be closed. Not sure if any sellers might still have stock.

If you have trouble finding Stirling barbershop soap, Hub City Soap Co. Chats with Grandpa is the same scent. Decent base too. I just checked online and it looks like Hub City might be closed. Not sure if any sellers might still have stock.

I actually got it already through Razor Emporium, but I appreciate the heads-up Mark. I might have to try that someday.

I quit scented soaps to see if they were causing the irritation I had been getting all too frequently. I definitely started to get better shaves, but still many instances of irritation. I've since changed up my routine a bit, and it seems to be helping.

Thus, I am now re-instituting some scents... Slowly. I'm sticking to the Stirling base for now, one scent at a time for now. That way, I have a 'controlled reintegration'. Also, Stirling is an exceptional value... So I can't complain on that front.

I guess, being it's veterans day, I should also point out both Rod and Mandy are US military veterans (on top of being upstanding people). So, lots of boxes checked there. Lol.

If you have trouble finding Stirling barbershop soap, Hub City Soap Co. Chats with Grandpa is the same scent. Decent base too. I just checked online and it looks like Hub City might be closed. Not sure if any sellers might still have stock.

I went to shop Hub City a couple of months ago and was sad to find them gone.  FWIW mrdoug,  I would add a vote for Chats with Grandpa, if you can find a jar.  I like it enough to have a backup.  Also, I know I'm late to the conversation, but Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barberis another fav of mine - the AS too if your skin does not complain.

Controlled reintegration is a good approach otherwise it’s hard to know what’s causing what.  I hope you can find a few scented soaps that work for you because scent, at least for me, is one of the really enjoyable aspects of shaving.

Another great shave. What did I use? Same as last time... And the time before... And the time before ...

It's shave #13 in a row with Stirling Barbershop. Great scent, great soap, no problems. It's also shave #213 in a row with the Overlander and I couldn't be happier.

I kid, I haven't been counting... But it's possible I'm at 213. I've used it exclusively for some time now.

I've been thinking more about my next soap and I may wait until Spring and try something along the lines of Stirling Duke. I really enjoy the hand soap in that scent. Still, who knows what other enticing scents Stirling will release between now and then? In the meantime, the Barbershop is working and smelling great.

Have a great evening folks!