Great picture, Roby!

Yes Perry. I'm using it as a stand alone. It's excellent!

Thanks Jim. Have a great day buddy!

February 23 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
PAA Deja Fougere
Merkur Futur
Stirling Unscented PSB
Brut Classic AS

I really enjoyed shaving with the Hamol cream. It smells nice and does it ever lather like a demon with great protection against dryness or irritation. Its cooling effect is also very pleasant, especially during the second pass. I froze myself with the Rubby Dubby Doo afterwards. BBS with no issues!

Thursday 23 February 2017



Mastro Livi Damasteel Ladder, 6/8 Full Hollow, French Point​

Today's shave has been a combination of very good elements and gave me a luxury and very satisfactory shave. Starting from the very good soap made by Aguzzeria del Cavallo (it seems they are not making this soap anymore, what a pity) a classic Italian almond scented soap giving a stable and very effective lather. I guess this was also thanks to the Mastro Livi super silvertip badger brush, a champion in mounting lather to perfection. Not to mention the straight razor. I really like the ladder Damasteel of this razor's blade, a sort of mesmerizing pattern perfectly matching to the pattern of buckeye burl scales. The razor gave me a super smooth shave and the icing on the cake was the refreshing and invigorating effect of my Bay Rum, made from real pimenta racemosa leaves and real dark rum.​

• Pre-Shave: RazorGuy Pre-Shave Oil
• Soap: Aguzzeria del Cavallo
• Brush: Mastro Livi Silvertip Badger, Makassar Ebony Handle, 26mm Knot
• Bowl: Bamboo Bowl
• Strop: Mastro Livi Medium Loom Strop "Coramella Italiana" and Hand Palm
• Razor: Mastro Livi Damasteel Ladder, 6/8 Full Hollow, French Point
• Post-Shave: Alum Block
• Post-Shave: Argan Oil
• After Shave: RazorGuy Bay Rum

That blade is stunning!

Thank you, sir! I am glad to read you like my Mastro Livi razor!

Thursday's shave was excellent with the following...........

Palmolive Menthol lathered w/Omega 6151 Pure
Edwin Jagger DES86 paired w/Pol-Silver SI blade
Witch hazel followed by Nivea ASB finishing w/a splash of Figaro aftershave

3-passes for a BBS shave!!

Today's shave, as expected, was horrible. I am sure this was due to defective equipment.

MDC Face Lathered
30mm High Mountain White set an extra 10mm deep
3 passes, all with the grain
new (to me) sight unseen razor from whipped dog

This is only my 5th or 6th time using a straight and the first time I have not used a DE for the second and third passes. It is perfectly obvious to me that I don't yet know what I am doing. I did three passes and ended up with an acceptable job on my cheeks, a poor job on my neck and a lousy job on my chin. I have 2 cuts that I would call severe if I were using a DE, but are not medically serious. I also have some minor irritation on my chin. Hopefully, when I repeat this tomorrow, I will end up in a better position. At any rate, I am going to give this at least a month before I decide whether to use a straight on a regular basis.

You're a brave fellow.

Roby has officially become a minimalist.

Thanks, Doug.

I am afraid to try it. If it worked for me, I am not sure my faith in soaps and brushes could survive the blow. It would shake the foundation of everything I believe about shaving.

For now I have Jared.

Jared, you could use it now and again when a speedy shave is required.

I am frightened by the power that may be contained inside that little vial.

P.S. - Don't tell my wife. If she found out I could get a good shave for $5, she would have a truck backed up to my bathroom right now.

Razor: Supply Provision Custom 2 dot head
Blade: Chick
Brush: RazoRock Tri-color
Soap: Maggard Tobacco and Leather
Post Care: Thayers Witch Hazel
Osage Rub
Alum
Aftershave: WSP Blackbeard with menthol

This was my first try of Maggard soaps and it was very good. It had everything you would want; easy lather, slick, good protection, nice scent. I didn't get much of the tobacco off the puck or during the lather, it's all leather. It has however blended nicely with the Blackbeard AS. The Supply Provision Custom was perfect, my other razors are just going to collect dust. Have a great day folks!

SOTD: Vintage JWest razor—Nichiri 'King Pelican'#14 13/16," Crowne & Crane 'Tobacco Leaf & Amber' soap and matching aftershave balm, custom @Jayaruh custom synthetic brush. A top-shelf shave from start to finish! Have a great Thursday, gents!