SoS; March 2018

Glad everything went well and hoping for a quick and complete recovery.

 

That's one reason why I switched to cold water. Hope it works for you to.

 

Barrister and Mann - Roam (2016)
Ever-Ready 100T | Elite Razor Manchurian
Radio 1912 | Gem PTFE
Barrister and Mann - Roam EdT (2018)

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I documented my impressions of the famed (infamous) ROAM a couple years ago. To say that this fragrance is polarizing is an understatement. It would seem to be that Roam is not an acquired taste, either. You either like it upon first use, or you loathe it. I've not encountered many that grew to tolerate it, and I've certainly never heard of a detractor growing to love it. It should be obvious that I'm in the "love it" camp. In fact, I've been using my 2016 tubs sparingly, with the assumption that Roam would never see another release. Today, I just cracked open my last 2016 tub, and I added to it the scant remainder of the previous tub. This morning, I used this with abandon, given that Roam now has a 2018 release, and I'm therefore well-stocked. Using roughly a tub per year, I can say with confidence that the scent does in fact transform a bit over time. It doesn't seem to lose any punch, mind you, but it mellows and the earthiness makes an earlier showing and lingers for a bit longer. Off the aged puck, the sharp, almost unsettling smoky tobacco is no longer jarring. To ensure it wasn't just familiarity dictating this assessment, I compared my two year-old tub to the 2018 and my assessment stands. Regardless, puck impressions are unreliable at best. To my nose, lathered Roam is never off-putting. It is unique. While there are many soaps with the same leather, earth, tobacco, and grass profile, there's not a single soap in my arsenal that even approaches its likeness. I intentionally omitted the documented "thyme" note because I've never detected it, while fully understanding it likely influences the accord. While the earth in Roam is damp, the tobacco is cured and dry, teetering on dusty. I've never smoked cigarettes, but there is a transient essence of an unlit cigarette that is reminiscent of a fresh pack of my late father's smokes. I will note this is nothing like the dankness of that of an actual burning cigarette. The damp earth doesn't start off damp, but rather transitions from a dry, sun-baked, cracked iron ore, then a brief slick red clay, before settling into a more herbaceous and grassy damp earth. The leather starts off worn. This is not nubuck or rawhide but much closer to earth-caked boots or saddle leather. I have the Kyovu as well as the Tonique, and I much prefer the Tonique. The Kyovu seems to carry a maple and caramel note that blends with the smoke to suggest maple-cured bacon---pleasant, but it takes me out of the whole Roam experience, if you will. The splash seems to be the more realized interpretation of the original creation, and it has amazing staying power. In addition to the soap's aforementioned notes, the splash does the same but with more intensity. I also consistently detect a salty presence during the protracted dry-down which ends up being about 6 hours from my two year-old bottle.

Almost as a big FU to the detractors, the 2018 release introduces for the first time a Roam EdT. I used this today and 8 hours out, it maintains a bold presence (one-pump to my solar plexus). I just picked up one bottle of the EdT, but given the reasonable price, I may yet pick up more.

In the early days of Roam, there was much dissention. Frankly, it was before its time. In current times, I like to think the community has matured enough and has been exposed to enough fringe fragrances that it's learned to simply pass on fragrances that aren't for them without disparaging the ones that do or the artisans' for that matter.

Barrister and Mann is pulling out the stops for their 5th anniversary. Here's to hoping there are many more anniversaries to come.

 

Today's shave was with a Kamasori with an Asymmetrical grind. I had a buttery smooth 2 pass shave, that left me near BBS. Zero issues. This is one of my rescue razors I named the "Rusty Crusty Kamasori". This is a heavy and thick razor, that feels like a wedge, and gives a near silent shave.

Razor- Suzuki No1. Japanese Asymmetrical Grind.
Brush- JR#262. Birdseye Maple/Ebony, Silver-tip Badger.
Soap- Arko/Sandalwood
Aftershave- Pinaud Clubman

 

Holy smokes, Matt! What a review!

 

Thanks! And, I see what you did there...

 

Friday Planned SOTD



Razor: Evahs
Blade: Rapira Swedish SuperSteel (D11)
Brush: WildWestBrushworks 24,mm Cashmere
Scuttle: PAA Travel 4"
Pre-Shave Scrub: Lisa's Sunny Citrus
Pre-Shave Oil: Jasmine Creamsicle
Shave Soap: Grooming Dept Conca d’Oro
Post: Handmade Soap Co. Soothing Cream
Aftershave: Royall Mandarin
​

 

Spot on review. I too love the scent and was lucky enough to get my hands on the original soap and kyovu. I too have used it sparangly, afraid I would run out. I’ve ordered several of each soap, tonique and edt and can’t wait for it to arrive.
To me B&M Diamond shaving soap is similar albeit in a toned down sense. The only other scent that I consider as polarizing as Roam is Dior Fahrenheit imo.

 

Friday planned

Schick type D razor
Simpson KH1 brush
Roam shaving soap
Roam Kyovu
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I’ll be using the Roam like I stole it,seeing its available again

 

Flung a cravin' upon ye, have we?

 

I myself really enjoy Diamond. I have being waiting for baseball and spring to break it out again. I agree that it seems to be one of polarizing scents as well. I wish they would have made a related AS.
Steve

 

For Friday's Shave:

prep-Dial 4 Men(Odor Armor)in shower
shave-Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barber Soap
brush-Stirling "lil brudder" Synthetic
razor-Gillette Sensor Deuce Pivot Outstanding DisposeABLE
A.S.-Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barber splash

this rounds out the Chiseled Face GTB until it comes around again

 

hmmm..using Sandalwood and Clubman together....gives me an idea for later on. (My Sandalwood A.S. will run out way before the soap)

 

I didn't dislike Diamond, but it just wasn't bold enough for me. If I'm in the mood for that fragrance, I'll be picking up Roam or Petrichor. I passed my Diamond tub on to someone else.

And I'm not a baseball fan. The only time I watch is during the World Series. I've been to a Texas Rangers game (I'm in Texas) and I went to a game in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta. That's the extent of my baseball fandom.

 

Very well-written....think I'll have a look at Roam.

 

9 March 2018

* Blackbird Polished SB 101
* Wizamet Iridium Super
* WSP Manchurian 2-Band + Oscar11 Amber Barbeir
* Wholly Kaw Bare Nake Tallow
* Unrefined Shea Butter
* Bergamot/Vetiver EO


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RECENT SHAVES


Prep: MLSW Sandalwood pre shave butter
Razor: Wilkinson Sword Classic
Blade: Pol-Silver
Brush: Razorock BC Plissoft
Soap: Mystic Water Sweet Briar
Post: PAA Cavendish A/S

Managed to get a decent lather from the MW Sweet Briar, but the lather seriously lacked cushion and as a result got some irritation. The Cavendish A/S burned quite a bit but smells great.



Prep: Musgo Real Oakmoss
Razor: Wilkinson Sword Classic
Blade: Dorco Prime
Brush: Razorock BC Plissoft
Soap: Smitten Soapery Stud Muffin
Post: T&S Classic A/S

Teriffic shave yesterday with Smitten Soapery. This is a criminally underrated artisan, performance is excellent and soap is loaded with good ingredients. Lather held a boatload of water and was thick and protective. Got a BBS shave and finished off with T&S Classic which has a nice citrus scent that lasts most of the day.



Prep: shower with C&E Vetiver Juniper bath soap
Razor: Gillette Fat Handle Tech
Blade: Dorco Prime
Brush: Maggard 24mm synthetic
Soap: Grooming Dept Wonderland
Post: none


A1 shave this afternoon. Love the musky barn yard type scent of Wonderland. Lather quality gets better the more water you throw at it. Decided to not use any post shave product and see how long the scent lingers, which wad several hours, not as long as Angel. Face feels great and BBS. Hope everyone is doing well and getting great shaves!

 

03/09/18 Shave of the Day
Face Wash with Crabtree & Evelyn Indian Sandalwood Triple Milled Soap
Crown King Planet 9 Shampoo/Conditioner Puck with Cider Vinegar, Yucca & Manuka
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements CUBE Mentholated Preshave Soap
Crown King Black Bot Artisan Shave Soap
RazoRock Rosso Corsa F-400 XXL 34MM Noir Plissoft Synthetic Shaving Brush
Creative Flame Pottery Stoneware Shaving Scuttle
Timeless Polished Stainless Steel OC Razor with 0.95mm Blade Gap, Scalloped Cap, & Dimpled Handle
Bolzano Superinox Blade - 10th Shave
RazoRock Alum Block
Homemade Lime & Rose Witch Hazel
Crown King Black Bot Aftershave & Cologne
NIVEA Men Sensitive Cooling Post Shave Balm
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Lime Ginger Tea Tree Natural Deodorant - New Sport Strength ​

 

Preshave: shower and argan oil
Barrister Reserve Spice
Jagger Silver tip
MoonStar Cherry Bowl
Jagger DE89
Astra Sp blade (1)
Shulton Old Spice
Stirling SDM B.O. on the dangly bit in the chin region

Nice two pass (wtg and atg) shave DFS. Will be using this new to me razor in my rotations for sure! Barrister is some very soft soap maybe more of a croap. Loaded a ton on the brush very fast. I had to use a lot of water to get it to useable. Very cushy and slick once applied.


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