2023.09.08 SOTD:
-
Prep: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Cleanser
-
Brush: AKA Brushworks Amethyst Watchman with 26mm AP Shave Co G5C
-
Razor: Gem Jr. 1912
-
Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (4)
-
Lather: Catie's Bubbles Waterlyptus
-
Post Shave: Alum, Stirling Mentholated Unscented Witch Hazel and Aloe, House of Mammoth Rumble Aftershave Splash w/ Permafrost, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel-Cream Extra-Dry
First time using Catie's Bubbles. It's a fantastic soap you've made, /u/C_Bubbles. Waterlyptus smells fantastic, and I'll definitely have to check out more CB stuff in the future.
Shave number four with the Gem, and same as before. Good shave, but not close at all. Plus, my ATG was very unpleasant to the point that I didn't attempt at all (I'm 95% this is a result of my shave yesterday and not the fault of the Gem). Still working on perfecting it. I didn't ride the cap entirely today, held it at the slightest of angle. Will try again tomorrow; I will not be bested by a hunk of metal.
Waterlyptus++
Indeed
-
September 8, 2023: Greatest Hits Straightember
- Preshave: Proraso Green Preshave
- Brush: Semogue C3 Galahad Horse 🐎
- Razor: Thiers-Issard 188 7/8 ""Coq et Renard""
- Lather: Barrister & Mann Le Grand Chypre
- Post Shave: Mennen Le Grand Large
- Post Shave: Nivea After Shave Balm
It's September 8th, and 34 degrees 🔥🥵🔥. We're in for a hot ride for the weekend.
Uneventful shave, everything good
September 8th, and 34 degrees 🔥🥵🔥
I'm so done with summer 😅
- Razor: Schick Type B2
- Blade: Personna Injector
- Brush: Wilkinson Sword Badger
- Pre-Shave: O Way Softening Shaving Cream
- Lather: Cold River Soap Works Olfactory Hue
- Aftershave: Saponificio Varesino Tundra Artica
- Additional Care: Alum Block
Another fine Friday shave with an Holy Grail razor.
September 8, 2023
- Brush: AP Shave Co. - 24mm Synbad Fan
- Razor: Gillette Tech (Z-4)
- Blade: Personna 74 (36)
- Lather: Barrister & Mann - Lyssa - Soap
- Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Santa Noir - Aftershave
- Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Santa Noir - EdP
Wow. In 36 shaves I don't remember if I've used this blade with a Tech before... but it's a damn good pairing. This shave was even more enjoyable because we have house cleaners here, so I had a nice clean bathroom to shave in. They're doing a "deep clean", which apparently includes removing all of my brushes and aftershaves from the medicine cabinet to clean the shelves :-).
I've used this Santa Noir aftershave plenty of times and have always enjoyed the synthetic cooling, but today it is hitting differently. I like it. I very much dislike menthol, but synthetic is A-Ok.
September 8, 2023
-
Brush: Elite Razor Neo-resinate 26mm Mother Lode
-
Razor: Koraat 14-2.0 8/8" Full Hollow (Straight Shave 320)
-
Lather: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Soap
-
Post Shave: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
-
Post Shave: Thayers - Rose - Toner
-
Fragrance: Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Eau de Parfum
3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Today I decided to "let the big dog eat" [which, oddly, is a phrase used by golfers]. The Koraat 14-2.0 is just the best Filarmonica 14 you can get. It is made with exceptional craftsmanship just like you want it. I took my time this morning and enjoyed the shaving experience. The edge feels amazingly light considering the razor's size, and you have more perception of cutting from the sound it makes than from cutting resistance. The edge just slides through hair. I can't imagine a more comfortable shave, and this one is so close I have a bit of fear there will be no stubble to shave tomorrow.
The Koraat 14-2.0 is just the best Filarmonica 14 you can get.
Better than an actual Filarmónica 14?
I don't think so in terms of the shave quality, but we are both lucky to have good examples of Fili 14s. It is hit or miss with vintage razors.
I think Ulrik goes out of his way to source "silversteel" that is the same composition as the Filarmónica razors. He has the advantage, though, of being able to use modern, digitally controlled tempering and has access to precision tools and abrasives that were not available in the early to middle 20th century. All this leads me to believe that variability in 14-2.0 blade dimensions is quite small. And, he will build you a razor with the options you want; though I don't think he'll do gold wash/gold etching.
-
Second Luxury Sample Straightember Shave
- Brush: Zenith 506U N (50/50 horse mane/tail)
- Razor: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Friodur 14 (8/8″, extra hollow ground, stainless steel)
- Lather: Fitjar Islands – Holme
- Post Shave: Schmiere – 1959
I've been using my new-to-me Fili 14 and the new Böker Abalone these last days and I wanted to see whether they changed how I see the big Frio 14. I had a great SLS with this chonky fella, I think it might still be my number 1.
The Holme cream is so, so.
Fougère Friday Sample Straightember Shave
- Brush: Zenith 506U N (50/50 horse mane/tail)
- Razor: Böker Abalone
- Lather: Southern Witchcrafts – Fougere Nemeta
- Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co. – Varen
- Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company – Seaforth! Fleur de France
Fleur de France is no fougère, but somehow plays very well with FN and Varen. It's like they share a base and FdF is what happens when you make a non-green fougère. The new Abalone the new horse brush are treating me very well again today.
Sep 8, 2023 - Sample September: Topanga Fougère
- Prep: Klar - Activated Charcoal - Face Soap
- Brush: Highlander Brushes Jade 26mm Cashmere Knot
- Razor: GEM "1912"
- Blade: Personna GEM PTFE [1]
- Lather: Chiseled Face - Topanga Fougère - Soap
- Post Shave: Grooming Dept - L'Avventura - Aftershave (Alcohol Free)
- Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Heather - Eau de Toilette
Happy #fougerefriday!
Rating: 4/5
