SoS; January 2018.

Oz Shaving - Wicked
Oz Shaving - Emerald City | Black Synthetic
Ever-Ready 1912 | Delta Echo | Gem PTFE

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Oz Shaving has been on my list to try for a while, but my timing to obtain my target scent, Wicked, has been off. Everything aligned right last week when the vendor posted a photo of the Emerald City brush on Instagram. I don't have a green brush, so that was reason enough to try again, and sure enough, Wicked was back in stock. The package came in the mail yesterday, so the a full-tilt Oz shave was in order.

If I understand correctly, Oz Shaving has recently upgraded their packaging to the standard plastic tubs, thereby abandoning the oft maligned tins. The labels are waterproof and well-executed, devoid of bubbles and alignment issues. The tub also has a side label.

They refer to Wicked as their "black tie" scent. I know there are several absinthe and leather scented products out there, but this was a first for me. I really like this fragrance. It opens with spicy leather and is topped by a very accurate crisp, cool, and slightly resinous absinthe. While I can't specifically pick out the documented black pepper, I assume it contributes to the spiciness of the leather. The absinthe burns off rather quickly leaving a pleasant, albeit light, leather fragrance.

Granted I'm using this brush for the first time, but I started with a barely damp knot for this vegan soap. It loaded quite easily, but more water was needed right away. I face lathered, and it was still a fairly dry lather, so more water was forthcoming. Finally, the sweet-spot was achieved, and a moderately dense paintable lather with a lustrous sheen was had. I spent a bit of time working it to give it the best shot on its first go. The result was an overall good shave, but nothing outstanding. The density was good, but the first-pass slickness was only adequate. Residual slickness was not good enough to risk touch-ups in the absence of visible lather. I proceeded with two more passes and was rewarded with a BBS head and face shave.

I performed my usual routine of smearing the pulled lather on my head and face and let it remain while I cleaned up my gear. There was zero irritation and despite the average-level shave, the post shave was a bit above average.

I used the matching alcohol/aloe/witch hazel aftershave tonic. It's pretty standard and moderately scented. The fragrance is an exact match to the soap, and I really like it. Unfortunately, it only lingers for a couple hours maximum.

Now, with respect to the Emerald City brush, I must say this was a little disappointing. It may well be due in part to my expectations and not having asked enough questions prior to the sale. The picture on Instagram and on Oz Shaving's site appeared, at least to me, that the faux ferrule was polished metal. In fact, it's just clear acrylic with black swirls. I understand that is just subjective, but I also feel the craftsmanship is a bit lacking or maybe a bit rushed. To be fair, I'm spoiled by the artisan brushes already in my small collection (Wolf Whiskers, Driven Legend, Island Bladeworks). The texture feels unfinished and even a little tacky. Some of the grooves are deeper than others. There are dimples in the ferrule section and notches on the bottom face that appear to be where the handle was gripped by a tool---perhaps the lathe. Overall, it just feels unfinished and certainly unpolished.

I have no idea as to the source of the black synthetic knot, but it's very similar to the Noir Plissoft knot in my RazoRock 400. The loft is the same as well, but the Oz knot is a little stiffer. It's also documented to be 24 mm, but I measured it and was pleased to note it's 26 (I measured the Noir Plissoft for comparison, and it holds true to spec at 24 mm). Otherwise, the two knots feel the same with regard to softness. If I didn't have the RazoRock 400 immediately available for comparison, I doubt I would be able to tell the difference. I am quite pleased with the knot and thus the overall performance of the brush as a whole.

So, my first experience with Oz Shaving was a mixed one. The brush just looks amateur to me, but I may be being too harsh. It does perform well and the knot mounting was done well. The soap is a good bit away from being competitive with the elite artisans, but that's only because I've grown accustomed to uncanny slickness from most of them. That's not to say this isn't a very good soap, and its post-shave is remarkable. I will use this again, just to be sure the slickness deficit wasn't a result of my unfamiliarity with the soap. I will not, however, be purchasing any more gear from this artisan.

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January 2018

Shavettes and Jeeves January!

January 20 - Jeeves Samples Day 3

Razor - Fatip Piccollo
Blades - (2)
Soap - Jeeves of Hudson Street Abyss
Brush - Jayaruh #46
Post - Alum

Final day trying out the Jeeves Abyss and it's back to the Fatip and Rapira PL combination. I used the JR46 brush and got the same high quality lather I've come to expect from Jeeves. The scent is still quite nice, subtle yet definitely there. Two passes, touch ups, BBS, nothing better than that. The Rapira PL shows its relation to the mighty Voskhod in its smoothness and effectiveness. Always a pleasure.

I've come to like this soap and my wife enjoys the scent as well when I use it. I have never tried a rose soap before and I like this one. Subtle as I've said, and quite nice overall. This might be one I'd add to my cabinet.

Next up as we work through Jeeves January - my sample of Private Study. Have a great Sunday!

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If you are happy with the Green brush, keep it. If not, then return it. If its just the finish that bothers you, then wrap the knot in blue painters tape, and sand the crud out of it. The only thing that worries me is where you said the handle feels tacky. Could the Acrylic not be properly cured??? Use you thumbnail, and see if it easily scratches. If so, return it. If its rock hard, it should look fine, after a good progression sanding.
Do you have a link to OZ Shaving?? I'm curious, as to what they put out.

 

ozshaving.com

I have no intention of returning or trying to perfect the brush. I may let someone else do it.

 

It would look nice sanded and polished up.............

 

SOTD January 21st 2018

Rockwell 6S
PermaSharp
Wolf Whiskers Synthetic
TFS Uncle Walter
Floid Genuine

 

Pre-Shave: SebaMed, cold water
Razor: BBS-1
Blade: Voskhod (1)
Brush: Shavemac ATG 2017 LE
Lather: Mystic Water Lime
Post-Shave: Alum, Stirling Bay Laurel Witch Hazel, Australian Emu Oil​

 

Good Morning Everyone SOTD 01/21/18

Durham Duplex
Personna (5)
Barbasol Soothing Aloe
Cold Water Rinse, Witch Hazel
Stetson Black ASB W/Aloe

Have A Great Day!

 

Today's SOTD-

Canadian Rocket (made in England. )
Vintage Gillette Blue Blade.
RazoRock XXX shave soap.
Pinaud Clubman Special Reserve as.
E-Barbershop "Pure Patchouli " cologne.
Simpsons Duke II badger brush.

A DFS in two passes! Have a great Sunday everyone!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I just looked at the handles, on his site, and the all look unfinished, like the one you have. Sorry.

 

Sunday 21st January



Birch Tar soap and RSC Facial Scrub
Vitos Preshave Cream
Cyril R Salter Wild Rose Shaving Cream
Yaqi 24mm 2 Band Fan Badger Brush
Giles Shaving Co Bowl
Revisor 6/8 Razor
Alum Block and Rinse
Organic Rose Water and Glycerine Moisturiser
Fikkerts Midnight Rose EDT

A Truly excellent Sunday Shave this morning. The Revisor has been unused for some time in the mistaken belief that I had damaged the edge. It transpired that the 'ding' was actually debris from one of my very early attempts at stropping.
The Wild Rose Cream was beautiful with a scent reminiscent of Turkish Delight and the Yaqi 2 Band was as good as any I have used. I love the style of handle.
3 passes for a perfect BBS shave

Enjoy the rest of the weekend!

 

SOTD 20180121.



J&T® model "Minimalistic" pear / Tuxedo.
La maison du savon de Marseille "Monsieur" (sample) *) .
TImeless titanium razor with stainless steel base plate 0.68 mm.
Kai Stainless (3).
Rebul Ice EdC.

*) in a vintage bakelite tub of "De Vergulde Hand".
Borrowed the stainless steel base plate to find out which blade gap.

 

1•21•18
~SOTD~
GILLETTE NEW LONG COMB
GILLETTE TECH FAT HANDLE
POLSILVER SI BLADE
RAZOROCK BEEHIVE SYNTHETIC BRUSH
DECLARATION GROOMING TRISMEGISTUS



Have a Blessed Day!​

 

That was a thorough review. I hope you didn't drop too much coin on that brush. I agree with your assessment, it looks indeed amateurish.

 

Sun. 1/21/18



A fine shave this morning. I am smooth and refreshed. Enjoy your day friends. ☺️

 

I'm a really happy camper after this shave - it turned out BBS, but this Astra blade is ready for the garbage. The De Vergulde Hand soap is a champion latherer especially with a great brush like my Plissoft synthetic. I'm in love with the scent of this stuff, although my wife isn't. lolll The matching balm smells nothing like the soap but it's still quite nice and is it ever soothing. The matching aftershave (no longer in production) stings like crazy at first but then it feels really comfortable. I really enjoyed this shave!

Have a nice Sunday!

 

Still Learning
This shave felt a little harsh. One thing with the Vision is it can be hard to tell by the letters exactly how aggressive it is set to. It doesn't simply go from V to N, it can be "over clocked" to V after the N, if that makes any sense. Anyway, I'm going to back this dragon down for a while, since this was uncomfortable today. My face feels fine now, but the Rockwell has spoiled me to expect butter smooth shaves.

 

PAA DOC EVO SS & Polsilver Iridium #1
Maggard 30mm B&W
GD Basique
Humphreys Alcoholado Maravilla
Nivea 2in1 lotion
Vera Wang for Men A/S splash
Vera Wang for Men edt

Skipped a day, pulled out the SS DOC. The whiskers did not have a chance this morning. Top Tier shave with a BBS result in 2 passes. No touch ups, no buffing, stragglers, nada, zilch. The soap was on point and post shave was fantastic. The Vera Wang was something that my Lady picked up for me a few days ago and decided to try it out this morning. A magnificent scent that exudes masculinity but with a soft touch. Amazing really. I’m giggling all the way to breakfast... Have a great day and shaves Gents. ​

 

January 21, 2018

OneBlade Genesis
Feather FHS-10
Shavemac Silvertip D01 ATG LE
Barrister and Mann Bay Rum
Derby City Chop Shop SB Shave Tonic
Tom Ford for Men

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