SOTD 18-24 April 2021

iKon Tek
Astra Superior Platinum 
Don Marco Soap
Stirling 24 mm Synthetic
Harry's Post Shave Balm
Paul Sebastian

Tuesday April 20, 2021
Razor: Stahly Head/Carbon R2 Handle
Blade: Wizamet(2)
Brush: Techichi The Hive
Soap: T&S Sicily 1508.5
AS 1: Humphrey's Alcoholado Maravilla 70
AS 2: T&S Sicily
Fragrance: CK ONE

Razor: Vector
Blade: Feather Pro
Brush: Synthetic
Pre-shave: Castle Forbes
Cream: Castle Forbes lavender
Balm: Castle Forbes lavender
Finale: Dior for Men

April 20, 2020
Supply Co SE V2 ●●
Schick Proline
Simpson CH2 Synthetic
Speick
Shave Stick & Aftershave

Tuesday, April 20

Yardley~~Simpson~~Lalune~~YSL
Have a great day!

SOTD TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 20, 2021

This morning’s shave featured the whisker cleaver, the new-to-me Ellis & Allan 8/8 Stubtail. The edge on this 1815 vintage full wedge blade is truly whisker-melting sharp. I’ve never come across a stubtail of this age with as wide a blade. I’ve wondered whether it was purposefully crafted that wide given the crude water and human-powered grinding wheels of that era with the expectation that it would, after honing, approximate the then-known thinner widths? Those of you with a better stubtail knowledge than I please chime in! Although initially hesitant given its sheer mass when compared to my other razors at 4.29 oz, a week long focus helped me dial it in, and now I really enjoy the mug shaves it delivers. The thing I like about my wedge razors is the absolute silence they operate in unlike the buttering toast refrains of more modern hollow grinds. In any case my three usual mug passes left me very smooth.

I enjoy shaving with French Cagehead safety razors. I own a LeCoq fixed cage and two Famex adjustable Cageheads. For some reason I’ve always shaved with the Frankenrazor version consisting of a Rockwell top cap and an ATT Atlas handle and have never shaved with the complete Famex. So this morning I pulled it out, adjusted it to my preferred level of efficiency, and proceeded to enjoy a pure Famex shave. The jury’s still out , but I do think I prefer it to the Frankenrazor version. The MrEE Gold Anodized Aluminum handled and aptly named “Monster”, generated scads of rich Soap Commander lather. Given the sheer size of these tubs, I expect the soap to outlast me. The tuxedo synth knot just feels great, and two ATG passes left my noggin dolphin smooth. I feel refreshed, cool, and velveteen smooth.

RAZOR: Ellis & Allan 8/8 Stubtail (Mug), Famex Safety Razor (Dome)
BLADE: Sharp Star DE
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil 
BRUSH: MrEE LE Aluminum Monster Tuxedo Synth 
SOAP: Soap Commander Honor
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Osage Rub.

Tuesday April 20, 2021
Razor:  Brass Karve “C” plate with brass Triad “Pineapple” handle
Blade: Permasharp (6)
Brush: Paladin “Moe” in Tigris Perla
Soap: Czech & Speake “Oxford & Cambridge” (hiding in a Tabac jar)
Post: Cera Ve Daily Moisturizing Lotion, followed by a little Cooper & French “Old Goat” balm (for scent)
Two-plus passes: DFS

This is “Stinky Brush No. Two” from the same stinky seller.  It’s beautiful and has a great knot.  That’s because of Paladin’s work.  It also smells quite rank, and it’s definitely not badger stink.  It’s mold/mildew.  That’s got to be due to the seller’s neglect.  I’m hopeful I can get rid of the smell on the brush and Dan Law has provided detailed instructions for “how to.”  I surely hope I can rehab these two beautiful Paladin brushes.  Thanks again for the information Dan.  

Maybe I’m old-fashioned but I’m offended by such careless treatment of such finely crafted shaving brushes.  And then to sell the brush without first checking its condition?  And then, when informed of the stink, to claim “that’s weird; it didn’t stink when I mailed it”. That response stinks all by itself. But I can’t do anything about the lingering stink on the seller.  That’s up to him.  [A long hot bath in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar would be a good start. Then perhaps some careful study on how to care for a badger shaving brush].  It’s beyond my control.  The most I can do is offer these timeless lyrics from Sonny & Cher:  “La de da de de, la de da de da . . . .”

Happy Shaves to The Gentlemen (who, by definition, do not stink)!

SOTD TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 20, 2021

This morning’s shave featured the whisker cleaver, the new-to-me Ellis & Allan 8/8 Stubtail. The edge on this 1815 vintage full wedge blade is truly whisker-melting sharp. I’ve never come across a stubtail of this age with as wide a blade. I’ve wondered whether it was purposefully crafted that wide given the crude water and human-powered grinding wheels of that era with the expectation that it would, after honing, approximate the then-known thinner widths? Those of you with a better stubtail knowledge than I please chime in! Although initially hesitant given its sheer mass when compared to my other razors at 4.29 oz, a week long focus helped me dial it in, and now I really enjoy the mug shaves it delivers. The thing I like about my wedge razors is the absolute silence they operate in unlike the buttering toast refrains of more modern hollow grinds. In any case my three usual mug passes left me very smooth.

I enjoy shaving with French Cagehead safety razors. I own a LeCoq fixed cage and two Famex adjustable Cageheads. For some reason I’ve always shaved with the Frankenrazor version consisting of a Rockwell top cap and an ATT Atlas handle and have never shaved with the complete Famex. So this morning I pulled it out, adjusted it to my preferred level of efficiency, and proceeded to enjoy a pure Famex shave. The jury’s still out , but I do think I prefer it to the Frankenrazor version. The MrEE Gold Anodized Aluminum handled and aptly named “Monster”, generated scads of rich Soap Commander lather. Given the sheer size of these tubs, I expect the soap to outlast me. The tuxedo synth knot just feels great, and two ATG passes left my noggin dolphin smooth. I feel refreshed, cool, and velveteen smooth.

RAZOR: Ellis & Allan 8/8 Stubtail (Mug), Famex Safety Razor (Dome)
BLADE: Sharp Star DE
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil 
BRUSH: MrEE LE Aluminum Monster Tuxedo Synth 
SOAP: Soap Commander Honor
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Osage Rub.

Those cage razors look scary. Definitely an awesome, industrial look... But evil looking, too.

I agree, soap commander is a very long lived soap, from what I can tell. Never killed one, but I don't have great luck with killing soaps. They work very well, though, and are wonderful values.

Have a great Tuesday!

Tuesday April 20, 2021
Razor:  Brass Karve “C” plate with brass Triad “Pineapple” handle
Blade: Permasharp (6)
Brush: Paladin “Moe” in Tigris Perla
Soap: Czech & Speake “Oxford & Cambridge” (hiding in a Tabac jar)
Post: Cera Ve Daily Moisturizing Lotion, followed by a little Cooper & French “Old Goat” balm (for scent)
Two-plus passes: DFS

This is “Stinky Brush No. Two” from the same stinky seller.  It’s beautiful and has a great knot.  That’s because of Paladin’s work.  It also smells quite rank, and it’s definitely not badger stink.  It’s mold/mildew.  That’s got to be due to the seller’s neglect.  I’m hopeful I can get rid of the smell on the brush and Dan Law has provided detailed instructions for “how to.”  I surely hope I can rehab these two beautiful Paladin brushes.  Thanks again for the information Dan.  

Maybe I’m old-fashioned but I’m offended by such careless treatment of such finely crafted shaving brushes.  And then to sell the brush without first checking its condition?  And then, when informed of the stink, to claim “that’s weird; it didn’t stink when I mailed it”. That response stinks all by itself. But I can’t do anything about the lingering stink on the seller.  That’s up to him.  [A long hot bath in a 50-50 solution of water and vinegar would be a good start. Then perhaps some careful study on how to care for a badger shaving brush].  It’s beyond my control.  The most I can do is offer these timeless lyrics from Sonny & Cher:  “La de da de de, la de da de da . . . .”

Happy Shaves to The Gentlemen (who, by definition, do not stink)!

Wow, that's a beautiful brush and (I agree), such a shame. Hopefully the soap does the trick. I also heard good things about shampoo'ing a brush... but I'm definitely no expert on Badgers. 

Beautiful razor set-up too. Thanks for sharing the great pic (and none of the stench, lol). Have an awesome day!

April 20th
Razor: S•H Apollo Light Aggressive
Blade: Ladas SuperStainless (3)
Brush: Heritage Collection dubl duck/ gelled boar
Pre-shave: PAA Cube
Soap: PAA Astra Planeta
PAA Galactic Witch Hazel
PAA Astra Planeta Star Jelly
AS: PAA Astra Planeta

Good morning!



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