What soap/cream did you use today?

  
Brush .... Morris & Forndran
Soap ..... ETHOS Vanilla Safi
Razor .... Alpha Spirit
Blade .... Proline P-30
Post ..... ETHOS Vanilla Safi SFS (blended w Derma Boost)
Finish ... Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme EDP Pour Homme

Amir (Zingari Man) rose oud
Shave 3 ・ 129 g left

My best lather maker is my left palm. Over the years I tried various lather bowls – some plastic, some metal, some ceramic – but I never came away with an ample and satisfying cream. But there’s something special in my boney old palm that conjures up the finest, thickest emulsion. Part of the success comes from  the size of my hands. They’re tiny. This means that most of the soap remains concentrated in a small area. I use only painter’s strokes, short and slow, so as not to introduce much air into the cream. I dip my brush tips into a warm bowl of water and add it drip by drip to the lather, doing my best to create something that looks like hot sour cream melting into a baked potato.

When I have a suitable lather, I smear it on my face with my left hand, working it deep into the skin. That’s followed by a fresh layer of lather from the brush, and maybe a bit more water.

I used to make lather on my face, and I’d still do that nowadays as I generally favor tradition, except my skin wore out. All the scrubbing and slapping that’s part of a good face lather led to irritation. But I suspect there’s enough callus and bone on my left palm to last a lifetime. Any other palm latherers out there?
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Brush AP Shave Co. Blue Lagoon (102) ・ Razor Karve Stainless Overlander (31) ・ Blade PolSilver Super Iridium (2)

I've done palm lathers for cleaning a brush knot or a tutorial for a friend on how to lather but not really for my actual shave. It seems you found what works for you though which is all that matters. Always enjoy your detailed and insightful posts.

A special jar. Black tea and citrus. There’s a bit more going on here but beautifully constructed. Thank you Frank and, of course, Dave in KY for his thoughtful suggestion. If ever in Kentucky a side trip to thank Dave in person certainly on hand. 

Amir (Zingari Man) rose oud
Shave 3 ・ 129 g left

My best lather maker is my left palm. Over the years I tried various lather bowls – some plastic, some metal, some ceramic – but I never came away with an ample and satisfying cream. But there’s something special in my boney old palm that conjures up the finest, thickest emulsion. Part of the success comes from  the size of my hands. They’re tiny. This means that most of the soap remains concentrated in a small area. I use only painter’s strokes, short and slow, so as not to introduce much air into the cream. I dip my brush tips into a warm bowl of water and add it drip by drip to the lather, doing my best to create something that looks like hot sour cream melting into a baked potato.

When I have a suitable lather, I smear it on my face with my left hand, working it deep into the skin. That’s followed by a fresh layer of lather from the brush, and maybe a bit more water.

I used to make lather on my face, and I’d still do that nowadays as I generally favor tradition, except my skin wore out. All the scrubbing and slapping that’s part of a good face lather led to irritation. But I suspect there’s enough callus and bone on my left palm to last a lifetime. Any other palm latherers out there?
____________
Brush AP Shave Co. Blue Lagoon (102) ・ Razor Karve Stainless Overlander (31) ・ Blade PolSilver Super Iridium (2)

Have always preferred palm lathering to face lathering but, truth told, find bowl lathering best.

  
Brush .... Morris & Forndran
Soap ..... ETHOS Vanilla Safi
Razor .... Alpha Spirit
Blade .... Proline P-30
Post ..... ETHOS Vanilla Safi SFS (blended w Derma Boost)
Finish ... Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Extreme EDP Pour Homme

Great combo there!

Funny, at my age I've actually considered dismantling my collection but don't feel like going through the efforts to try and sell so many. The best would be picked over first and then left with others. I would prefer someone just to buy the whole kit and caboodle as they say. Have the good one!

As far as I remember the 1934 open comb TTO Aristocrat is the first ever TTO Aristocrat but there has been at least a 1916 Old Type Aristocrat if not others. 

Anyway. The #1 TTO Aristocrat is giving ingenious shaves. I like mine a lot. 

I started this year with collecting vintage Gillettes. It is difficult to get them at a reasonable price here in Europe.

You are correct and I forgot about the non twist to open razors with the Aristocrat name on them.  Thanks for refreshing my memory.

Yes they are not inexpensive here as well if they are in good or in mint condition.

You are welcome.

By the way... I really love your shaving soaps. The thing is just the shipping costs and the custom duties, that I don't have so many as I would like to have. So far I have the Vetiver, the Watermelon Mint and the Lemoncello. And I like them very much! There are more to come hopefully to Switzerland!

EDIT: Did you ever though about samples to sell? Or did I just miss them?

Shaving soap: Wickham Soap Co. 1912 Vegetal Shave Soap Classic 24, sample