January 2016

Received this old Wilkinson Fixed Profile metal razor.
The poor packaging - thin envelope instead of a box - unfortunately resulted in a crack in the plastic lid but...as the razor was less than $3 I'd feel bad even mentioning it.
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The razor itself is pure NIB/NOS though and looks/felt great
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The razor is very similar to another design by Sir Kenneth Grange - the Wilkinson Royale (t0 the right below) - but with less metal in the handle and therefore less heavy.
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Received one big package with two 'razor lots' from the same seller.

Lot 1: $12

- Concord cartridge razor, silvertip badger brush and metal stand

Quite a nice surprise this set. The razor feels 'so-so' (a bit too lightweight for me) but the brush has a very nice and solid metal handle - and the knot was a positive surprise as it is very soft and has some nice backbone. This will be a fun one to try out.
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- It also came with a shaving mug and a Silverwing Deluxe Groom Mate!
Now, this Silverwing Deluxe Groom Mate is, according to the sticker, priced at $15 in west hollywood - so there. Profit already!
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Lot 2: $14.99

- Merkur MII NIB. I already have one of these and love it. It's a great razor normally priced around $50.
This one also came with all the adapters, that I were missing, that allows a great number of different cartridges to be used with it.
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- This lot also came with a Col Ichabod Conk brush (badger-boar mix) and a mug.
I don't really use their soaps and the brush felt awfully stiff/unpleasant so this part of the lot may well not see much use (read: I'll sell it).
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- Oh, and...this lot also came with a Silverwing Deluxe Groom Mate! I'm telling you. Gold. Pure gold.
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I did really like that the Merkur MII was pictured on one of the mugs - it's good pairing
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And, the question that, by now, is on everyone's mind - how did you like the Silverwing Deluxe Groom Mate?
Well, I of course tore one of the packages open and tried it out right away and let me tell you - my nose is BBS.

Today's Mail Call

UFO has landed..,
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Gillette Aristocrat & Elite Razor Brush

Mail Call:

200 GEM SS PTFE blades from Connaught.

Modified 1914 & 1924 heads courtesy of a friend. I've got the '14 on my Triad Titanium Helix & the '24 is on a stainless steel Jürgen Hempel Spiral.

Congratulations to all the members for the January acquisitions.

Received these four New Forest brushes in the mail this week.
Three out of the five wood handled brush handles that Peter ever made.

These wood handled ones has some amazing knots and cant wait to take the for a spin.
The fourth one is the very first travel brush he did - a very small 1901.

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From left to right:
1901,  
Tambootie handle w/ Silvertip knot,
Oak handle w/ two-band knot, and
Tambootie handle w/ two-band knot.

Some "close-ups":

1901
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Tambootie handle w/ Silvertip knot
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Tambootie handle w/ two-band knot
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Oak handle w/ two-band knot
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darkbulb, very nice & congrats on expanding your New Forrest collection. May I ask what it is about these brushes that has you collecting so many of them? Also, where are you getting your info from? That's a great bit of history knowing that only 5 wooden handles were made & that you have 3/5 of them.

darkbulb, very nice & congrats on expanding your New Forrest collection. May I ask what it is about these brushes that has you collecting so many of them? Also, where are you getting your info from? That's a great bit of history knowing that only 5 wooden handles were made & that you have 3/5 of them.

To me they are the best 'all around' brushes I've ever used. Fantastic handles, great knots and work just as well bowl as face lathering.
It also doesn't hurt that you can still pick them up for about 20-30 dollars/brush.
Mostly from forums but also on the bay/reddit.