SOTD 18-24 December 2022

HSOTD/SOTD 12/22/22

PreShave: PAA Cube 2.0
Razor: Yates 921H
Blade: PermaSharp
Soap: Noble Otter BarrBarr
Bowl: Timeless
Brush: PAA Atomic Rocket
PostShave: CWR, Alum, Thayers
Balm: Proraso Sensitive
AfterShave: Pinaud Clubman Special Reserve

Got the last of the things cleaned up in the yard this morning before the arctic blast arrived, and just as I was finishing the VERY cold winds started whipping up. Went from 45F to 22F in about 15 minutes here in North Texas, and with the 30+mph winds the "Feels like" temp is now around 10-12F - IN NORTH TEXAS! This is bringing back bad memories of 2 years ago and our "Snowmageddon" event - things would have been fine then if we didn't lose power, but we did, and therefore people were caught with no heat, no pool pumps, etc and so everything completely froze and burst, everywhere. Terrible. This time - if power goes out my plan is to run outside and open up all the valves on the pool equipment, drain everything, and be done. The problem last time was that the power failed in the middle of the night - and by the time I got there to drain things they had already frozen over.  

Anyhow, a fantastic shave this morning with the Yates H plate. Great, efficient shave. The ONE thing I did though that detracted from this A+ shave was that I made the cardinal mistake of getting too relaxed and accidentally dragged the razor laterally - you know that feeling? Worse than a paper cut! I hate when I do that. But alas, it wasn't that bad and didn't bleed much. Otherwise a nice clean alum rub and just an awesome shave.

This was my first shave with BarrBarr, and I was very underwhelmed with the scent. Barely noticable. The lather was fantastic, but smell-wise not so great.

Of course, Pinaud Clubman Special Reserve is, well, special! Love this stuff. I wish I could buy Clubman by the gallon. 

I found "BelCam" scents last night - distributed by Walmart but also via their website - apparently very good fragrances at a fraction of the going price. So I bought like 6 different fragrances last night. My wife already thinks I'm nuts with all the shave gear, this will likely take it to another level.  

Anyhow, a lot of the US is going to be very cold today - stay warm brothers and think of those less fortunate and how we can provide for our brothers and sisters who have less or are on hard times. Prayers are great, and if you have extra time to invest to help feed or clothe those in need, all the better. 

Thanks for reading, and please do keep looking up!

Thursday AM 2022-12-22
The first Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film, 'Flying Down to Rio,' was released on this date in 1932


Rooney 1/2 Horn Finest (24/50) 
Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet shaving soap (tallow)
Paradigm 17-4
Personna 74 Tungsten (3)
Armani Acqua di Giò Profumo aftershave

Razor: Wilkinson Bonded Razor
Blade: Wilkinson Bonded Single Edge Cartridge
Brush: Simpson Duke 3 Synthetic
Pre-Shave: Proraso Green
Lather: Mauer & Wirtz Tabac
Aftershave: Maurer & Wirtz Tabac Aftershave Lotion
Additional Care:
  Thayers Facial Tonic Witch Hazel Unscented

A holiday scented shave day:

Brush:  Rudy Vey 
Soap: HAGS Grinched (Guiness base)
Razor:  Rocnel Sailor
Blade:  Gillette 7 O'Clock yellow
Aftershave: Ethos Clean
Scent:  Kilian Angels' Share

Great shave.  Love the creamy feel of the Guiness based soap.

Stirling Naked and Smooth
Elite Razor brush
Wilkinson Sword Imperial
AC blade mod
Grey Flannel splash

This week SOTDs

Pre: P.A.A. Cube 2.0 w/ Cube Dock

Razor: Wade & Butcher 5/8
Razor: Atelier DURDAN "Le Maurice" (dual-comb 0.8 Ti)
Blade: Gillette Nacet Stainless

Soap: Barrister & Mann Muir(e) Wood
Brush: Omega Boar 10005/80005
Bowl: Bluff Cove Pottery

Post 1: P.A.A. Alum No-Slip Grip System w/ Dry Dock System
Post 2: Dickinson's Enhanced Witch Hazel Deep Cleansing Astringent w/ Menthol & Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Guerlain Vetiver

I've been waiting for this day for a long time. I've been patiently waiting on a pass-around list for this (early) version of the Le Maurice razor. This is a razor that's been made be a relatively new artisan hailing from Aveyron in the south of France.

For this special occasion I decided to also use my vintage Wade & Butcher straight. I thought about using the "Le Maurice" by itself but am really wanting to continue walking the "straight" line.

I did my with and across the grain passes with the W&D. It was a fun and without issue. I then switched over to the L.M. for the rest of my shave.

I thought I'd start with the 0.8 gap polished titanium head and work my way up. I also thought seeing as the head is dual-comb, I'd use the open comb on my right side and the closed comb (safety bar) on my left side.

I proceeded to do a full three-pass shave because I really wanted to see how this razor felt. I paired this razor up with my most familiar blade, the Gillette Nacet. This is a blade known to be on the sharper side so I want surprised to see that I ended up with a few weepers. For me this tends to happen when I shave with a new razor for the first time. There's definitely something to be said about familiarity and experience.

Initially I thought the 0.8 gap would make this a super smooth, carefree shave but my assumption was wrong. I will admit that I was pretty rough and willy-nilly with the razor. I did fast, carefree strokes and ultimately felt the irritation for doing so.

The open comb does give just a touch much more blade feel versus the closed comb, so keep this in mind, if you're deciding to purchase. There are also four types of metal to choose from. Also note that now there are 4 more handle patterns and two handle lengths to choose from! You can also specify pattern preference for both the lower and higher portions of the handle as well as a satin or polished finish!!

The B&M Muir(e) Wood soap was also new to me this shave and boy am I in love. I genuinely can't tell you how much I've instantly fallen for the scent of this soap. It's manly and smooth, yet sophisticated and divine all at the same time. I'm very curious about the aftershave and am going to be in real trouble when my sample runs out.

All in all, I experienced a great shave and look forward to trying the other gap/materials as well as using this epic Barrister & Mann Muir(e) soap again.

Happy holidays everyone. Enjoy your shaves.

Thursday, December 22

Arko~~Simpson M7~~Cooper Monobilt/Spoiler~~Tom Ford Noir Anthracite
Have a great day!

-Noble Otter Lonestar
-Løthur Grooming Synthetic G5D
-Blutt Rasur Br1 1,2 
-Personna med Prep
-Αλοή

Friday 12.23.22
RAZOR: Monocero Husaria SS Closed Comb
BLADE: Wizamet Super Iridium
BRUSH: Dscosmetic Adjustable 2-band badger
LATHER:  ‌Ethos Greenfresh Premium Shave Soap
POST: Ethos Greenfresh Skin Food Splash