I think most of the problem is just between my ears. In the “good ol’ days” before computers, we had to phone in orders (or mail in an order form) and then WAIT. Now we can track our orders online and see just how many miles our little boxes of treasures travel. Even worse, Amazon has conditioned us to except everything to arrive in two days, even for us rural folks. So realistically it’s only been a week, and I just need to be more mature about this. FedEx is NOT in the same gut-busting hurry that UPS is though. But I guess without them we’d pay even higher shipping costs, so I can either start my own company or get quiet now.
Great review Bill as is typical of you. Just a couple of questions on the brush - does it hog lather? Is it soft?
I have only used it once, but I don't believe that I used more soap than other similar size brushes... .... and I don't yet have comparative results on the brush and/or bowl individually.... The pair was fabulous. I'll never take anything away from how great modern synthetics are, but my fave brush is my singular Simpson, a 'Super Badger' hand tied knot.... ... The new one from Stirling beats out the great Stirling Fan Badger, and gets very close to the Simpson. $$$ Let's see.... 2 Stirling High Mountain or 1 much smaller Simpson $$$ ??? Obviously you get both but on economics, Stirling. Like the top of the line Simpson, The tips are soft, but not like a synthetic, and the hairs have some nice backbone and don't flop around. I like it, it is luxury, but I'll tell a minimalist to get the synthetic. I use my Stirling Tuxedo more than any other brush, wish the handle was a little taller tho. Hope this helps you to buy yourself one for Christmas....... because your probably gonna do it anyhow.
Thanks for the feedback. That’s what I needed to know before officially adding it to my wish list. Now it’s a matter of the new butterscotch or black handle. Black shows soap residue around the knot base, but looks classy when shined up like a black sports car. If Stirling’s version of ivory resin is the same color as the ivory in their Tuxedo and boar brushes, I’ll hold out hope for an ivory handle. The Simpson traditional look is really entrenched in my decision making center.
What is your take on both Royal and D-503? leaning heavy towards getting a high density brush and not sure if i should take a chance on either of these at the same time!
I only have the bath soap on D-503, that I like better than the Royal. Both are kind of floral to me. Maybe in the family of Stirling blue and Stirling for Him. I'll use Royal, but not repurchase. If it is around long enough, I'll get some D-503 AS for me when I need to make a Christmas gift order soon. All the Stirling brushes represent great value in my book.
I was ordering a bunch of Stirling gift cards as Christmas gifts today, and couldn't help myself--finally pulled the trigger on a sample of Texas on Fire. I await its arrival with an equal measure of eagerness and trepidation.
SOTD December 7, 2019 Prep: Cold water and PAA Cube pre-shave soap Blade: Personna Razor: Schick G4 '66' Brush: Artisan badger Soap: Stirling Meghalaya Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Meghalaya aftershave Nice first shave with Meghalaya. Masculine scent based on Ralph Lauren Supreme Oud (I think). Nice scent.
SOTD December 9, 2019 Prep: Cold water and PAA Cube pre-shave soap Blade: Kai Captain Mild Razor: RazoRock Black Hawk Brush: JR #41 badger Soap: Stirling Ozark Mountain Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Ozark Mountain aftershave
SOTD Decadent December 9th Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap RazoRock SS DLC Lupo VS RazoRock Al Lupo Permasharp Stainless x2 30DCLE brush (26mm, Frigate Class) Dry Dock lather bowl Stirling Royal soap and AS Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk
Andrew, I know I could just go and check Stirling’s website, but I’ll ask anyway since I’ve not heard of Royal... How would you describe the Royal scent?
