![[Image: db8PHtB.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/db8PHtB.jpg)
Member
East Texas
Head & face shower shave. 2 days growth.
Technique: WTG / XTG / ATG/clean-up.
Prep: Shower.
Soap: RazoRock Santa Maria Del Fiore Firenze
Brush: Ever-Ready 100T (TGN Finest)
Razor: Above The Tie - Kronos S1
Blade: Treet Platinum Super Stainless(1)
Post: Folsom and Company - Shady Past
I couldn't wait to try out my newly acquired ATT S1. It was still warm from sitting in the mailbox. It only hit 101°F today---a veritable cold snap compared to last week's 107°F. While the mail call had some interesting stuff, I needed to go to a tried and true Summertime soap, SMdF. Additionally, when trying out new hardware, I try to keep the variables to a minimum. RazoRock really nailed the SMdF! I've recently used Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba, and I feel pretty confident saying there's no need to drop that kind of coin on SMN. SMdF at least matches the performance of SMN and the scent is the same, but a little more robust as well. It's nice to see ItalianBarber is keeping SMdF in stock and for just under $20 for 250mL. The packaging is a plus for me, but if they cut a few corners (like SMN's boring plastic tub), that could be shaved down even more [punus intentionus].
Now on to the ATT S1. Above The Tie's reputation is pretty much unblemished in the wetshaving community, so I wasn't surprised by anything I found in the box. Although I was a little nervous when I heard a rattle in the box as I was opening it. It turns out, it was just their business card bouncing around. It brought back memories of loose discs in mail-order DVD cases. No harm done, though. I chose the Kronos handle just to keep it in the middle of the road (3.5" / 71g). The balance is perfect. The grip is perfect. The finish is, well, perfect. The charm of these precision-machined razors are their understated appearance. There's no flash, no logo, no intricate knurling. None of that. Just simple functionality, and in that, there is beauty. The S1, if you didn't already know, is a slant razor. The S1 torques or twists the blade, keeping the head perpendicular to the handle. This is how Merkur does a slant, as opposed to the iKon way which is to keep the keep the blade flat, but orient the whole head at an angle.
The S1 performed quite nicely, with an intuitive angle and enough weight to facilitate a proper slant shave. Shaving with a slant departs slightly from the traditional technique of DE shaving in that a little pressure is needed. Despite this being my first shave with the S1, it felt like I have been using it for a long time. In fact it felt so familiar, I couldn't help comparing it the iKon #102 slant. I have a difficult time differentiating between the two razors with regard to performance. So again, much like the SMdF vs. SMN comparison, from a performance angle [punus intentionus], it's hard to justify the expense of the ATT slant, when the iKon can be had for a fraction of the cost. That said, in the hobbyist realm of wetshaving, performance is only one part of the equation. There is a lot to be said for fit and finish, and this is where the all 303 stainless Kronos S1 shines. Both of these race cars will get you to the finish line, but the S1 will look better getting there.
Not to take too much wind out of the sails, I should mention yet another contender in this slant game. Since it's in my arsenal, I would be remiss to neglect to mention the fourth iteration of the RazoRock Stealth Slant. At this time, I feel like the RRSS still edges out both the iKon and the ATT from a performance perspective. I have yet to use a slant that can out-perform the out-of-production Stealth Slant v4. To be fair, I will reiterate that this was the first time I've ever used the ATT S1, but given its intuitive feel, I can't see how future uses could impact my initial impression by much.
I purchased the Folsom and Company "Shady Past" splash based on overwhelming recommendations as a good pair for SMN (and by default SMdF). The scent compliments the SMdF quite well in that it shares tobacco flower notes. However, to say it duplicates the scent is off the mark. I'm glad I picked it up, regardless. I will certainly continue to use it in this setting. As far as performance, it did what any other water/alcohol/menthol aftershave does, and I thoroughly enjoy it. As I have indicated before, the need for post-products with SMdF is rarely needed.
![[Image: vbN49U6.jpg]](https://i.imgur.com/vbN49U6.jpg)
Technique: WTG / XTG / ATG/clean-up.
Prep: Shower.
Soap: RazoRock Santa Maria Del Fiore Firenze
Brush: Ever-Ready 100T (TGN Finest)
Razor: Above The Tie - Kronos S1
Blade: Treet Platinum Super Stainless(1)
Post: Folsom and Company - Shady Past
I couldn't wait to try out my newly acquired ATT S1. It was still warm from sitting in the mailbox. It only hit 101°F today---a veritable cold snap compared to last week's 107°F. While the mail call had some interesting stuff, I needed to go to a tried and true Summertime soap, SMdF. Additionally, when trying out new hardware, I try to keep the variables to a minimum. RazoRock really nailed the SMdF! I've recently used Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba, and I feel pretty confident saying there's no need to drop that kind of coin on SMN. SMdF at least matches the performance of SMN and the scent is the same, but a little more robust as well. It's nice to see ItalianBarber is keeping SMdF in stock and for just under $20 for 250mL. The packaging is a plus for me, but if they cut a few corners (like SMN's boring plastic tub), that could be shaved down even more [punus intentionus].
Now on to the ATT S1. Above The Tie's reputation is pretty much unblemished in the wetshaving community, so I wasn't surprised by anything I found in the box. Although I was a little nervous when I heard a rattle in the box as I was opening it. It turns out, it was just their business card bouncing around. It brought back memories of loose discs in mail-order DVD cases. No harm done, though. I chose the Kronos handle just to keep it in the middle of the road (3.5" / 71g). The balance is perfect. The grip is perfect. The finish is, well, perfect. The charm of these precision-machined razors are their understated appearance. There's no flash, no logo, no intricate knurling. None of that. Just simple functionality, and in that, there is beauty. The S1, if you didn't already know, is a slant razor. The S1 torques or twists the blade, keeping the head perpendicular to the handle. This is how Merkur does a slant, as opposed to the iKon way which is to keep the keep the blade flat, but orient the whole head at an angle.
The S1 performed quite nicely, with an intuitive angle and enough weight to facilitate a proper slant shave. Shaving with a slant departs slightly from the traditional technique of DE shaving in that a little pressure is needed. Despite this being my first shave with the S1, it felt like I have been using it for a long time. In fact it felt so familiar, I couldn't help comparing it the iKon #102 slant. I have a difficult time differentiating between the two razors with regard to performance. So again, much like the SMdF vs. SMN comparison, from a performance angle [punus intentionus], it's hard to justify the expense of the ATT slant, when the iKon can be had for a fraction of the cost. That said, in the hobbyist realm of wetshaving, performance is only one part of the equation. There is a lot to be said for fit and finish, and this is where the all 303 stainless Kronos S1 shines. Both of these race cars will get you to the finish line, but the S1 will look better getting there.
Not to take too much wind out of the sails, I should mention yet another contender in this slant game. Since it's in my arsenal, I would be remiss to neglect to mention the fourth iteration of the RazoRock Stealth Slant. At this time, I feel like the RRSS still edges out both the iKon and the ATT from a performance perspective. I have yet to use a slant that can out-perform the out-of-production Stealth Slant v4. To be fair, I will reiterate that this was the first time I've ever used the ATT S1, but given its intuitive feel, I can't see how future uses could impact my initial impression by much.
I purchased the Folsom and Company "Shady Past" splash based on overwhelming recommendations as a good pair for SMN (and by default SMdF). The scent compliments the SMdF quite well in that it shares tobacco flower notes. However, to say it duplicates the scent is off the mark. I'm glad I picked it up, regardless. I will certainly continue to use it in this setting. As far as performance, it did what any other water/alcohol/menthol aftershave does, and I thoroughly enjoy it. As I have indicated before, the need for post-products with SMdF is rarely needed.
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