August 5 SOTD: Razor: Frederick's Celebrated Brush: PAA Atomic Rocket Lather: PAA Sangre de Drago Aftershave: PAA Sangre de Drago Additional Care: Stirling Unscented PSB I had a little extra time so I webt with the whole ultimate in adjustable razors, a straight. The blade could use a little refreshing, so it wasn't the smoothest shave, but I got a CCS out of it on two passes. The soap was top notch this morning and my Sunday is off to a good start. I hope everyone has a great day!
My soap choice for today was on the "warm" side(although certainly more comfortable than, say, Stoylin Texas On Fire, or Clubman Special Reserve). The Razorock Acqua spread across my face and neck like peanut butter on bread. I like that kind of setup for a shave . Perhaps I am speaking for all shavers when I say that, but if so, call me "all shavers" .
Follow-up...Course Special Reserve isn't a soap, but I'm sure as a soap it would provide that same hottish feeling. Let's throw CF's Midnight Stag into this as well.
The difference in how Arko leaves the face as compared to Stirling and other modern artisan soaps is telling of how shaving has evolved, I think. Shaving soap was a utilitarian product back in the day that Arko and the other vintage soaps were the main players. Nobody really thought....let me rephrase.......many if not most just saw soap as something to provide glide and protection. It wasn't seen as a product that could or should condition/moisturize etc. Clearly our expectations as consumers have changed to expect soaps to provide something other than just glide, or else we are all becoming pampered lightweights compared to our ancestors. Or perhaps we're just products of years and years of marketing that convinced us that shaving soaps were old fashioned, outdated, and less effective options that should be replaced with things like shave gels and other goop. Another theory would be that our faces/skin have evolved to require more moisture/conditioning because of the over-industrialization of our environment. Said evolution then drove the soap makers to improve the protective and conditioning aspects of their products to match the new requirements of our skin. I is also possible that modern soap makers realized that plain soap sells for three bucks for a few ounces while the artisan soaps can sell for far more for a few ounces. Finally (thank the gods he's almost done) it is entirely possible that this entire reply is just the ramblings of someone who has had far too little sleep, only the bare minimum of coffee consumption, and who will sit up and scream when he realizes he's fully awake. The point is - great shave and yeah, Arko can be a bit drying. Whew! Now, where'd I put my coffee down.
