Good shave Gary.

Good setup and photo Rusty.

Good picture and setup @celestino.

Thank you, Primo T

OCtober 23rd
Razor: Gem MMOC
Blade: Personna PTFE (5)
Brush: Heritage Collection C-MON
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat
PAA Galactic witch hazel
AS: Brut

MWF on MWF OCtober

Good morning!

SOTD October 23, 2019

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: vintage Schick Plus Platinum
Razor: Schick J1
Brush: JR #41 badger
Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel, RazoRock Blue Barbershop aftershave

Wow, nice razor!


- Ken

Very nice!


- Ken

Wednesday

Prep: Warm Shower-Stirling Executive Man
Soap: Proraso White Tub
Razor: Vintage Gillette Pre-War Fat Handle Tech
Blade: Personna Med Prep (3)
Brush: Plisson #12 European Badger-22mmx56mm
Aftershave: Stirling Executive Man w/Menthol

WTG-XTG-ATG (adjusted angles for my beard)

Proraso White Tub today. 20 seconds to load the Plisson #12 European Badger brush. Easy, thick, slick, lather. Personna Med Prep in the Fat Handle Tech. Excellent smooth, close, shave. I finished with Stirling Executive Man aftershave.

Bob

Vespersnesday
Epic reduction of two days growth. I love this scent.

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Rockwell 6s R6
Blade: Voskhod
Brush: Lutin Chubby Lightning
Pre-Shave: PAA Cube 2.0 Menthol
Lather: B&M Vespers
Aftershave: B&M Vespers

You get no argument from me, Primo....

Phoenix Shaving | Monstroso
APShaveCo. Elegant Emerald | SynBad 24mm
Durham-Enders | Enders Speed Shaver | Schick Proline B-20

​

Last week I received this Monstroso set as a surprise gift from the very kind folks at Phoenix Shaving. I don't make a habit of accepting gifts from artisans, and in fact, I usually insist on purchasing it. It was made clear that in this particular case this was nothing more than a gift, and to do anything other than to graciously accept it would be an insult. It goes without saying that there was never a directive, implied or otherwise, for me to review the product. In fact, typically the sure-fire way to ensure I do not review a product is to give it to me free of charge. I've yet to have my integrity questioned vis-à-vis honest reviews, and I attribute that not only to my conduct, but also this policy. That said, I do find it difficult to keep my mouth shut when I encounter a product that I enjoy as much as this one. So, consider the following an unsolicited fragrance impression.

The proprietor was aware of my enthusiasm for all things vetiver, so he was confident I would like this. It is true that I'm keen on vetiver, be it the light and grassy variety all the way to the dark and smoky. When used wisely, they all have their charm. In the case of Monstroso, it's twisted. I wore the splash for several days prior to using the soap as per my usual behavior when exploring a new matched set. After having used the splash several times and the soap twice, I can confidently say that the two mediums reveal the fragrance very similarly.

Monstroso opens with a distinct and bold freshly turned damp earth that is devoid of smoke and slightly grassy. From there, things get weird. In my experience, vetiver will either elbow its way in and dominate an accord, or insidiously transform or even adulterate accompanying notes. In the case of Monstroso, the initial somewhat brutish earthy introduction mysteriously cascades to a peculiar vegetation-type musk with something vaguely nectarous approaching plum before succumbing to something strangely and pungently fauna in nature. This, folks, is what vetiver does to apricot. It's altered such that it's familiar yet unrecognizable at the same time. While this pleasantly bizarre fragrance hovers about, a rich bittersweet blood orange encroaches. This is completely out of the usual order, but yes, the citrus enters late. The splash has the usual PAA strength and longevity, so after a couple hours, this waxing and waning aberrancy of a fragrance settles to an innocuous earthiness that lingers before becoming lost at around 5 hours.

Monstroso does not follow the rules, and with all due respect to the artisan, there's bold and then there's irresponsible. A gamble was taken in this construct. I think most vetiver-heads will ultimately enjoy this, but there will be plenty that hate it--particularly those that aren't willing to invest the time to understand it. Not unlike The Monster that influenced the fragrance.

October 23 SOTD:

Razor: Oneblade Core
Blade: Feather FHS-10
Brush: PAA Starcraft
Lather: Tabac
Aftershave: Tabac

My deepest sympathies, amigo. As a pet parent myself, we love them as if they were our children. They become family because they are. They show nothing but loyalty, faithfulness and an unwavering love to their owners. Again, my condolences.....

Stickin' wit da Fat...my man.

All month!

Fascinating narrative, Matt.

Wednesday, October 23

MWF~~Simpson~~Feather~~The Veg
Have a great day!​

Thank you, sir.

Wednesday morning:

Razorock Plissoft 26mm Monster
Super Speed/7 AM day 3
Gilly’s Lush Life SS
Prep ASB
Alt Innsbruck AS Splash
Thierry Mugler Angel Pour Homme EdT

I love these Gilly’s soaps so much - the Lush Life has such a beautiful scent which I agree is more appropriate for spring or summer but I enjoy it anytime. It exploded into fabulous rich, slick lather, and the menthol sensation felt great. The Prep, together with the Alt Innsbruck were a perfect finish. The cut that I got on Monday healed completely so I was able to do three passes for a cracker of a BBS shave!




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