View attachment 240231
December 2nd
Wholly Kaw SS & AS - La Fougère Parfaite
Simpson CH2 Synthetic
J3Customs 8/8 Takefu, Japanese Steel, Laminated
Promised
@jtspartan a follow up on the Wholly Kaw homage to Brut. La Fougère Bouquet is a close example to the new formulation (by Idelle Labs). I have the new Idelle version, but also a vintage version made by Faberge from an estate sale (if the original bottle has the original formula, which I believe it does). There is a difference to my nose between them all...very subtle, but it's there. PAA's Et Tu is closer to the original Fabergè Brut version. The Wholly Kaw homage, La Fougère Parfaite, has awesome longevity, nice sillage, wifey always approves. This soap base is a previous version before the current Siero base. It's a harder soap, so that was the decision to use 'soap destroyer' Simpson CH2.
Awesome bowl lather, incredible face feel, slick and thick as anything in my den. Painted on the lather today, the CH2 seems to work better for me that way. Yesterday I thought this razor was lacking a little, so it did a big round of CrOx stropping this morning, followed by a light bridle leather round. Much better, 3 full passes, WTG/XTG/opposite XTG. Nice BBS- results. I may take this blade for a round on the pasted strops....probably make it near perfect again without a trip to the finishing hone. One upper lip red dot appeared, shaved off the top of a skin blemish I reckon. No bother, stopped on it's own. Finished off with entirely too much of the matching after shave splash, a very nice wake up feel.
@Hembree asked about the steel for this blade. A little research.....Takefu is a Japanese steel producer/supplier. They make all sorts of cutlery steels, their website looks like you can order pre-made blend steels, sheets, rods, blanks, custom steel content blends, lamination options, the works. Like ordering different woods/versions/sizes of lumber or plywoods, but in Japan sourced steel. I imagine Derek (J3Customs artisan/owner) is a big fan, and bought a blank sheet supply and learned the lamination (as it'd have to be laminated after being ground). He offers laminated or unlaminated options of this steel, but also 01 tool steel in his blade making. You can clearly see the lamination's effect in that it delineates the layers of steel from his grind very nicely on the front half of the blade, but also the last inch of the tang.
Hope everyone has a Great Hump Day!
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