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

I've wanted to get a brush with a red white and blue motif for a while. I've watched and searched the various vendors in Etsy and the like. Finally asked my wife to get me this cheap Pearl Shaving brush for Christmas. Figured, even if the knot is garbage, I could figure something out.

Well I tried it and the knot didn't even live up to my low expectations. It was rough, and very sparse, with what looked like fibers set upside down. A total mess. However the handle was nice. I gave it a try and it felt like this...


So I ordered a cheap timberwolf knot from Shaveforge (~$9 on eBay). The knot feels soft, is much fuller, and has a lot of promise. I'll give it a try tomorrow when it dries. I also think it looks good in the handle. So, for ~$35 I ended up with something that will hopefully fit the bill perfectly. Definitely a good deal, and much cheaper than anything custom-made.

I salute your brush handle

I think you performed a wonderfully skilled surgical knot replacement, Paul. Looks fantastic! I think I hear some John Phillips Souza?!

Lol. Thanks guys. It won't get used often, but I definitely have wanted a themed brush for patriotic holidays for a while. I know it's corny, but whatever...

So I picked up these " snack containers" from Target for $5 a week or so back. It's a four pack. They work pretty well for 1-2oz samples. The container will hold 4 oz, I believe, but it's narrow inside (3.5" I think) so you'll need room to move the brush... Thus, I wouldn't go beyond two. There are likely hundreds of options out there at the grocery store and the like, but these ones shocked me. The body is a thick, solid plastic and the top is a quality bendable plastic. My memory might be off, but it reminds me for some reason of the old Tupperware containers from the '70s and '80s.

Since Target is everywhere, figure it would be a nice heads up for anyone looking to store those Stirling samples (and the like)... Or looking for a snack container. Lol.

While on the topic of samples, I have been trying to figure out what that scent note is in executive man (and so many other cologne types). I want to call it a musk but maybe it isn't. Off the puck you get a nice light sweet type scent. But that dissipates quickly and you're left with this thick, deep, heavy, and for me nauseating, scent. I don't know, figured I'd throw it out there since I was taking a picture of the executive man sample. Whatever it is, that's the reason I dislike so many soap scents. Ooh well.

Have a great weekend everyone!

Paul mrdoug, what a brilliant idea! Those containers look perfect for soap samples and have what appears to be a perfect lid. In the past, I bought some cosmetic containers off of Amazon, but those colors shown above are much more appealing to my eye. I like the way you think outside the box!

Sorry, but I can't help you on the scent front. The only scent my wife tolerates is a very mild lime or citrus. I tried a few but frankly, I prefer unscented now! Unless I think about MacDuff's Birch + Root. Man, that one was intoxicating!! Dave in KY has the full soda set. This summer we'll see if he attracts insects looking for sugary soft drinks!! Maybe Mike HighSpeed or Dave will comment on the scent thing you mentioned.

And, I spy with my little eye a Trotter handle, an Oscuro unless I am much confused! I recently had a very brief email exchange with Paul Stubble Daddy regarding an impressive handle he had on Instagram. It had this cool aluminum accent ring. Unfortunately, that ring is hard on his lathe or gear, making it a one-off.

Paul mrdoug, what a brilliant idea! Those containers look perfect for soap samples and have what appears to be a perfect lid. In the past, I bought some cosmetic containers off of Amazon, but those colors shown above are much more appealing to my eye. I like the way you think outside the box!

Sorry, but I can't help you on the scent front. The only scent my wife tolerates is a very mild lime or citrus. I tried a few but frankly, I prefer unscented now! Unless I think about MacDuff's Birch + Root. Man, that one was intoxicating!! Dave in KY has the full soda set. This summer we'll see if he attracts insects looking for sugary soft drinks!! Maybe Mike HighSpeed or Dave will comment on the scent thing you mentioned.

And, I spy with my little eye a Trotter handle, an Oscuro unless I am much confused! I recently had a very brief email exchange with Paul Stubble Daddy regarding an impressive handle he had on Instagram. It had this cool aluminum accent ring. Unfortunately, that ring is hard on his lathe or gear, making it a one-off.

Now that's funny, Dave in KY!! And it took me a second to realize what was going on! the joke's on me, ha!

Paul mrdoug, what a brilliant idea! Those containers look perfect for soap samples and have what appears to be a perfect lid. In the past, I bought some cosmetic containers off of Amazon, but those colors shown above are much more appealing to my eye. I like the way you think outside the box!

Sorry, but I can't help you on the scent front. The only scent my wife tolerates is a very mild lime or citrus. I tried a few but frankly, I prefer unscented now! Unless I think about MacDuff's Birch + Root. Man, that one was intoxicating!! Dave in KY has the full soda set. This summer we'll see if he attracts insects looking for sugary soft drinks!! Maybe Mike HighSpeed or Dave will comment on the scent thing you mentioned.

And, I spy with my little eye a Trotter handle, an Oscuro unless I am much confused! I recently had a very brief email exchange with Paul Stubble Daddy regarding an impressive handle he had on Instagram. It had this cool aluminum accent ring. Unfortunately, that ring is hard on his lathe or gear, making it a one-off.

Yep, you nailed it Eric. I used my trotter today. Funny thing is, I don't even know what knot is in it. I am 75% confident it's an AP tuxedo... But I could be wrong. I think when I realized that, I decided to try to leave them be. Too many swaps or new knots looking for the next best thing. It had become a sickness. Lol.

Im also avoiding buying any more brushes. Of course, seeing some that pop up on the bst has me doubting I can do it. For example, I got rid of all my Synbad knots for God knots what reason, then I saw a beautiful brush with one and thought,"maybe I should expand the collection". Haha. It really is a sickness, but I'm holding strong. One day at a time.

Birch + Root is a gorgeous scent. I wish they had a firmer base. Being my love for tub lathering, I end up losing too much soap and it really isn't cost effective.

In the end, I'm impatiently awaiting Stirling's spring and summer scents. I tend to like those better, so I will possibly dip my toe in the sample waters again next season.