Lol!

SOTD FRIDAY MORNING, AUGUST 13, 2021

My son, Ben, has close to 100 Japanese razors in his collection, accumulated over 2 decades. And I understand the brouhaha over Tamaghane, Yasuki, and Japanese silver steel blades frequently referred to as shaving swords. He has Saitos, Iwasakis, Tanifujis, Kikuboshis, Diamond Hayashis and many more less well-known brands. Is there such a thing as a bad Japanese razor? But I never understood why he cherished his Hoshi Tombo 8000. Mine arrived a week early from Australia yesterday. And after shaving with it, I get it.

It arrived supposedly jnat shave ready, but it failed the styrofoam peanut test where the weight of the blade alone should slice through the surface. After a session on the 9 Ball Slate, a pass through the 4-sided pasted constroption, and 40 strokes on the Roo-skin bench strop it popped through the surface along the full length of the edge. I know many of my shave brothers and sisters like the HHT or the thumbnail test, but this is the one that’s always worked for me and my whiskers. In fact, the blade was so sharp, I easily could have quit after two passes, but I just enjoy the process too much! That third pass left my mug ver smooth!

I’ve also been shaving lately with a new offering from Nancy Boy, their newly formulated sandalwood cream and accompanying AS splash. This is by no means a strong sandalwood scent, given that Nancy Boy is committed to using only natural, organic ingredients. So if you enjoy strong scents, this is not for you, but the subtle scent does linger. What I like is that it leaves the same awesome post shave feel as my regular Signature scent. The Rex Ambassador usually contains my preferred Feather DE, but for today’s shave I grabbed one of my hoarded Sharp Stars from 2012. It did the job in two ATG noggin passes leaving smooth, clean and slightly sandalwoody!

RAZOR: Hoshi Tombo 8000 (Mug), Rex Ambassador (Dome)
BLADE: Sharp Star DE
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Alpha Shaving T-400 Tribute with 24mm Hybrid Ferrule
CREAM: Nancy Boy Sandalwood
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Nancy Boy Sandalwood AS Splash.

This morning I repeated my Throwback Thursday shave. This heat calls for me to make good use of my Glacial paraphernalia. Osage Rub is fine, too, but not as cold as those Glacials. One-pass shave today, again with Gillette Foamy Original. I used a little less than previously, knowing the great spreading power of the foam. Fine shave all around, no Knicks, no cuts. I'm into my "slow and steady wins the race" philosophy at North Porcupine Alley, as most of my damage happens in that area. Nice work along the jawline. Cactus Nation looks fine. Osage to close(A.S.) Outta This World Excellent.

Great shaves Jeff! Again, that razor is a beauty and oh so cool! Great setup! Have a terrific day!

Super shave, Paul!

Thank you Joe.....am happy with it .

Aug 13 Fine Friodur Friday SOTD

Good morning guys!

Straight shave #295
7/8 Henckel's Friodur
Stirling Boar Brush
Fine Italian Citrus SS
Stirling Coconut Lime AS
Maggard's Alum Block
Dickinson's WH
Whiskers: 39 hrs



I went for the Fine soap today because I hardly use it. It is in my shaving mug and replaces the now defunct Elly's Wonder Shop Mysterium Paracelsus. I will be frequently using the soap because it is in the shave mug. The soap is easy to lather and produces a nice, thick, creamy lather. As I have previously mentioned, the soap is very lightly scented so that it won't interfere with any aftershave.
Anyway, I decided to get out of my lazy mode and get out my Friodur and strop it so that I can shave with it. This is my 7th shave since I honed it and it performed will. Two passes without any pickups, blood or irritation produced a near BBS shave.
Did get slight feedback from the alum. Witch hazel and the aftershave applications finished this very nice shave. On that note, you guys have a nice day!

Great shave, Jeff! Baili sounds like an interesting razor! The Vib’Raz is the star, however.

Great shave, Paul!

Thanks, Joe! What a great shave! I may do something unheard of and shave with it tomorrow!

Great shave with a great-looking razor, Joe! Enjoy your day!

Thank you Jeff! It is one of my top favorite straights.

Adjustable August

AoS Lavender~~Morris & Forndran Ali Baba 2~~Pre-War US Tech/Polsilver~~Aventus (19S11)
Are you sensing a theme with my shaves this week?
Think about it...

Congratulations if you came up with the correct response:
THERE IS NO THEME!!!


Two return players from yesterday:
1) Polsilver blade
2) Creed Aventus

The rest of the cast are new. But man, oh man, did they pull their weight!!
Check out the hooked tips on this Lee Sabini Ali Baba

Crunchy when dry...succulent when wet.

Cleaned up with the same players as yesterday, Thayer's Unscented Witch Hazel and Proraso Unscented ASB.
Like I already mentioned, back for an encore performance, is...drumroll, please...






Honestly, I can't picture anyone NOT liking Aventus.
No. @Paul Turner this is NOT a double-negative.​

Thank you, Jeff . Have a nice Friday.

I agree with you this time, Joseph.

thank you Danny..happy friday..

cool vintage pic Joe..

thank you Joe.cool piece of brit history..

fabulous friday endeavors gentlemen..