Dec. 29, 2023

• Brush: Yaqi 26mm Synthetic
• Razor: Karve CB SB D
• Blade: Tatara
• Lather: Wholly Kaw - Nightcap - Soap
• Post Shave: Wholly Kaw - Nightcap - Aftershave

Great shave. The longest feeling shortest work week of the year be nice when it’s over. Excellent scent one of my favourites.

December 29, 2023

• Preshave: Water -> Face
• Brush: Benny’s 21mm Synthetic
• Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89
• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (3)
• Lather: The Goodfellas Smile Amber Fougère
• Post Shave: Old Spice After Shave
• Post Shave: Nivea After Shave Balm

I had forgotten to log a shave on Wednesday - with the same gear. I’m using a slurry-ish lather, and avoid as much contact with the skin as possible, with ok-ish results, at least when not shaving every day. This is probably the last shave with the setup before going back home.

In unrelated news, thanks to meticulous preparation up to and during Christmas, and an unrelenting lack of attention to my dietary choices, I am proud to announce to the world that I have finally unlocked the dad bod. I would like to thank my parents, my family and my agents; without them, this accomplishment could never have happened.

Have a good evening!

☢️🌿 Fougère Friday: Passiflora🪻 ☢️

• Brush: Wild West Brushworks Matador 26mm Sweet Spot Badger Knot
• Brush: Chisel & Hound The Diplomat 26mm v19 Fanchurian
• Razor: Chiseled Face Legacy (Aluminum)
• Blade: Gillette Nacet [11]
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Passiflora - Soap
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Atomic Holiday - Aftershave

I went to use the WWBW brush this morning and the knot popped out. Once the knot dries out, I’ll clean it up and glue it back in. The V19 that I ended up using is one of my favorite knots anyway.

Passiflora is one of my favorite scents in all of wet shaving. Since I don’t have the splash, Atomic Holiday makes a very nice substitute pairing.

Rating: 5/5

December 29, 2023

• Brush: Wolfman WRB2 Bronze w/AP Shave Co MiG 26mm Premium Hybrid

• Razor: Dubl Duck 5/8" Full Hollow

• Lather: Noble Otter - Ace - Soap

• Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner

• Aftershave: Noble Otter - Ace - Aftershave

• Talc: Yardley Gold
   
  3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I like all of the Noble Otter “Card” series that I’ve tried (Ace, Jack, Joker). To me, they have slightly milder than medium scent strength but the scent is strong enough that I can find the notes. Ace is the darkest of the scents. I have no experience of the Akigalawood or arnica scent notes it has but I find the overall scent woody and very interesting.

Today’s shave was a test shave of this Dubl Duck Goldedge razor. I did a refresh of the edge last night. I’m thoroughly pleased with the result of the honing. The edge is super sharp but also very comfortable. It doesn’t feel like a synthetic edge or a Jnat edge though. It is its own thing. I did the honing with a coticule and Black Arkansas stone sequence. I have very little experience with either of these stones so I have a lot to learn.

I made a video as I honed this razor. If you watch it, feel free to ask questions or make comments here.

I was amazed that people watched my last video and am extremely grateful for the feedback I received. I won’t be slighted or upset if you don’t watch this one. I’m sure you have better things to do.

Friday, December 29, 2023 - Covid Shave

• Prep: hot shower + lots of tea & coffee
• Brush: Omega 0146138 HI-BRUSH, 25mm Synthetic Shaving Brush
• Razor: WCS Classic Collection Razor 84S, Stainless Steel, Closed Comb
• Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1)
• Lather: Barrister & Mann - Leviathan Shaving Soap
• Post Shave: Barrister & Mann - Leviathan - Aftershave Balm

The wife and I tested postive for Covid the other day, and as such I haven’t shaved in a while. Made for a satisfying shave even though I couldn’t really enjoy the scent. (Not because I’ve lost my sense of smell, I’m just super stuffed up.) Anyway, I hope you all are enjoying the holidays!

SOTD 29.12.2023

• Prep: warm water
• Razor: Headblade S4 Lunar Eclipse
• Blade: HB 2
• Brush: TGS Galaxy 26 mm
• Lather: Speick - shaving cream
• Post Shave: Thayer’s Aloe Vera toner; Natura Siberica ASB gel
• Fragrance: Bois 1920 - Oro Nero EdP sample

Phew, almost forgot my SOTD post again… It was a very busy day.

A quick head shave I did after a very fast shopping trip. One pass + cleanup with the HB. One nick due to being too rushed. Seriously, f**k cartridge razor systems. Other than that minor inconvenience, I was surprised by the quality lather I got out of Speick cream. Very slick and nice. The final decision on the EdP is: pass. It fades to a boring vanilla scent and I got absolutely zero positive responses about it. Totally not my style… The nice similarities to Interlude Man by Amouage last too short. And I wore it all evening…

So today I went to print my pictures with my colleagues, then visited my parents in the afternoon for a coffee to celebrate dad’s 57th birthday (we have a rather difficult relationship and it went surprisingly well for that). Then in the evening, I drove to my old nursing home one last time to celebrate with my colleagues. Originally, we had a Christmas party planned for last week’s Friday which was cancelled. So we did a “Year’s End party” today instead - which also turned out to be a farwell party for me! I was very surprised by all the warm words and the many gifts they gave me. Seriously, I had to hold back tears… It’s not an easy time for me atm, but they did the best they could to give me a proper and dignified farewell. I’m so grateful that in the short time were I worked on their station (only transferred there in September of last year) I was able to make some new friends who wholeheartedly accept me like I worked for over a decade with them… Honestly, I’m still a bit overwhelmed… I lost good colleagues, but our friendship will stay - and for that I am so very grateful!

December 29, 2023

• Brush: Semogue 1305
• Razor: Fatip Classic Testina Gentile
• Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome (1)
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Ozark Mountain - Soap
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - Frankie & Myrna - Aftershave
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth/Declaration Grooming - Cerberus - Liniment
• Fragrance: Barrister & Mann - Lavenille - EdP

Very nice. I read one opinion online that the Fatip Gentile was a DE89/R89 “killer”. I tend to agree, but it’s slightly milder than the 89 series. Efficiency is excellent. I like this razor a lot.

Last Christmoos Shave

• Brush: Omega 50014 Travel Boar Shaving Brush, 21mm
• Razor: Schick Repeating Razor Type B
• Blade: Personna injector (2)
• Lather: Sir Irisch Moos
• Aftershave: Sir Irisch Moos

Last evening in the mountains, tomorrow I’m going back to the snowless lowlands, last shave with the travel Moos, tomorrow I have my full den at disposal again, minus the loaned pieces. The week of Moos was enjoyable, but I’m looking forward to my straight razors, bigger brushes, and all the choice of fragrances again.

One lesson is that I could totally have been a happy wetshaver in the sixties.