Stubble Daddy’s Shave Journal of Awesomeness and Honesty ...

Razor: Yates 921 (M-plate)
Brush: Chisel & Hound
Soap: McDuff’s - Birch & Root
Aftershave: McDuff’s - Old Sea Captain
Blade: Nacet

My buddy Eric was selling the Yates in the BST and I thought it would be a fun one to add to my Yates collection. The "bead-blast" finish is nice! Very rich and exotic (just like Eric). I wasn't sure I'd like this super long/skinny handle, but somehow it balances perfectly and works. Plus, it could double as a baseball bat or car jack. The brush is new to me as well and was highly enjoyable. Super dense, yet soft. Glad I snagged this one. I used the last of the Birch & Root sample Paul @Mr.Doug gave me. What a great scent! Thanks again Paul. And finished things off with McDuff's Old Sea Captain which has a light spice/musk/bay scent. It's very enjoyable. Love the post shave of all the McDuff stuff. Quickly becoming my favorite software provider.

Birch & Root is great.  FWIW Autumn cabin is even better IMO.  Perhaps it's a bit late for Autumn, but I think it's a great cold weather scent anyway.

“Autumn Cabin” does sound inviting Mike! Currently, McDuff’s “Winter Cabin” is a huge hit at the Trotter house. Mrs Trot and Daughter Trot have awarded it the best scent in Papa Trots Den by a landslide margin. I had no choice but to purchase a backup of the splash. It’s that good.

Thanks for the 411 Paul. I believe you that it is exceptional, so I just checked all three US stockists and MacDuff's site.  None of them has Winter Cabin.    C'est la vie.

Birch & Root is great.  FWIW Autumn cabin is even better IMO.  Perhaps it's a bit late for Autumn, but I think it's a great cold weather scent anyway.

“Autumn Cabin” does sound inviting Mike! Currently, McDuff’s “Winter Cabin” is a huge hit at the Trotter house. Mrs Trot and Daughter Trot have awarded it the best scent in Papa Trots Den by a landslide margin. I had no choice but to purchase a backup of the splash. It’s that good.

Thanks for the 411 Paul. I believe you that it is exceptional, so I just checked all three US stockists and MacDuff's site.  None of them has Winter Cabin.    C'est la vie.

I spoke with Sean, it re-releases in January. Everyone mark your calendars. Paul's got us all intrigued.

“Autumn Cabin” does sound inviting Mike! Currently, McDuff’s “Winter Cabin” is a huge hit at the Trotter house. Mrs Trot and Daughter Trot have awarded it the best scent in Papa Trots Den by a landslide margin. I had no choice but to purchase a backup of the splash. It’s that good.

Thanks for the 411 Paul. I believe you that it is exceptional, so I just checked all three US stockists and MacDuff's site.  None of them has Winter Cabin.    C'est la vie.

I spoke with Sean, it re-releases in January. Everyone mark your calendars. Paul's got us all intrigued.

Thanks Paul.  I think that's what they call "news you can use".

Razor: Timeless .95 OC
Brush: RV CH3 w/ 30mm Maggards SHD
Soap: Noble Otter - Hamami
Aftershave: Noble Otter - Hamami
Blade: Nacet

Razor: Yaqi Raster V3 w/ TiBam Titanium Handle
Brush: Prometheus w/ 28mm SHD Knot
Soap: Southern Witchcrafts - Fougere Nemeta
Aftershave: Southern Witchcrafts - Fougere Nemeta
Blade: Feather Pro

Razor: Timeless .95
Brush: Trotter Handcrafts - Burnt Butterscotch w/ 26mm G5C Synthetic
Soap: Los Jabones de Joserra - Rodrigo de Jerez
Aftershave: McDuff’s - Leather Bound Book
Blade: Personna Super

Second use of the Synthetic G5C fan knot. A small amount of black/grey dye was again present. Not a lot, but worth mentioning. Hopefully that stops here soon or I’ll be reaching out to AP Shave Co.

The knot has very soft tips and no scrubbiness, but I fear it’s going to be too much backbone for me … even at a loft of 53mm. It sure does look cool though.

And again it looks/feels smaller than most 26mm knots. It just doesn’t splay/bloom out much. I had high hopes to make this a permanent knot option in my Etsy shop, but will probably be holding off on that and just sticking with the 26mm Timberwolf knot as the only Synthetic option for now.

Razor: Razorock Lupo .72
Brush: Trotter Handcrafts - “Burnt Butterscotch” w/ 26mm G5C
Soap: Eufros - Sirio
Aftershave: Floid - Black
Blade: Nacet

Another G5C shave. Trying to figure out if I “like” it. It’s a bit of a strange knot… allow me to break this down in a pros & cons list.

G5C Pros:

- Looks awesome. Semi-realistic Badger appearance. Best looking Synth IMO (when dry).
- Super soft tips and hair
- Price is lower than the other G5 knots (but is this really a G5? It’s not really that similar to the other G5’s… marketing move perhaps?)
- Small Glue Bump
- Works great if you smash it into your face while lathering. lol

G5C Cons:

- Black dye came out on the first 2 lathers
- Once wet, the hair fibers sorta stick together and the knot looks and feels small. Like a 24mm knot.
- On the calipers, none of the 4 knots I purchased were 26mm. All 4 were ~25.2mm.
- Too much springy backbone, no real splay… even when set at 53mm. Maybe I should try setting it even higher?

So it’s a mixed bag for me at this point.

Thanks for reading.
PT

I really appreciate the review, Paul. I was all set to order a couple, but now, hmm, I might wait. The turn offs for me are the springiness and the lack of splay that you mention. The old Omega S series were way too springy for me. And the lack of splay is what originally had me set against the G5A. But I set the G5A higher, 2 quarters used in Northeast Ice, and took a tip from another forum regarding soaking it for a few minutes. Those two things have made the G5A a winner for me now.

If I recall, I wasn't a fan of the 2BED either, until I set it higher. More splay, for me, also means less pokiness. Again, thanks for the reviews. All for 

Razor: Razorock Lupo .72
Brush: Trotter Handcrafts - “Burnt Butterscotch” w/ 26mm G5C
Soap: Eufros - Sirio
Aftershave: Floid - Black
Blade: Nacet

Another G5C shave. Trying to figure out if I “like” it. It’s a bit of a strange knot… allow me to break this down in a pros & cons list.

G5C Pros:

- Looks awesome. Semi-realistic Badger appearance. Best looking Synth IMO (when dry).
- Super soft tips and hair
- Price is lower than the other G5 knots (but is this really a G5? It’s not really that similar to the other G5’s… marketing move perhaps?)
- Small Glue Bump
- Works great if you smash it into your face while lathering. lol

G5C Cons:

- Black dye came out on the first 2 lathers
- Once wet, the hair fibers sorta stick together and the knot looks and feels small. Like a 24mm knot.
- On the calipers, none of the 4 knots I purchased were 26mm. All 4 were ~25.2mm.
- Too much springy backbone, no real splay… even when set at 53mm. Maybe I should try setting it even higher?

So it’s a mixed bag for me at this point.

Thanks for reading.
PT

Thanks very much for the detailed rundown Paul.  I read on a vendor's site that the "C" models "... need a slightly more shallow hole!", so good luck if you do try setting it higher.

Razor: Razorock Lupo .72
Brush: Trotter Handcrafts - “Burnt Butterscotch” w/ 26mm G5C
Soap: Eufros - Sirio
Aftershave: Floid - Black
Blade: Nacet

Another G5C shave. Trying to figure out if I “like” it. It’s a bit of a strange knot… allow me to break this down in a pros & cons list.

G5C Pros:

- Looks awesome. Semi-realistic Badger appearance. Best looking Synth IMO (when dry).
- Super soft tips and hair
- Price is lower than the other G5 knots (but is this really a G5? It’s not really that similar to the other G5’s… marketing move perhaps?)
- Small Glue Bump
- Works great if you smash it into your face while lathering. lol

G5C Cons:

- Black dye came out on the first 2 lathers
- Once wet, the hair fibers sorta stick together and the knot looks and feels small. Like a 24mm knot.
- On the calipers, none of the 4 knots I purchased were 26mm. All 4 were ~25.2mm.
- Too much springy backbone, no real splay… even when set at 53mm. Maybe I should try setting it even higher?

So it’s a mixed bag for me at this point.

Thanks for reading.
PT

Thanks very much for the detailed rundown Paul.  I read on a vendor's site that the "C" models "... need a slightly more shallow hole!", so good luck if you do try setting it higher.

Thanks Mike. Yes, I plan to raise it up to see if that helps. Maybe a loft of 53mm is just too low. Doesn't see to be IMO... the knot has a tiny glue bump! But, raising it may help. Only one way to find out