That's a terrific Tuesday shave John. I wanted to try Jeeves soap, but they went out of business before I got the chance to try it. I have a Jason brush given to me by anonymous benefactors. My brush has a nice grip and the synthetic knot is soft, but it lathers well.
Double report this morning-- Yesterday, I wanted to try a 'double-cooling' approach, so I used: Pre-shave Razor Emporium charcoal bar wash Martin de Candre (trial size) Absinthe soap. I don't think this has menthol in it, but it gives the impression of cooling. My little rice bowl to create the lather. Parker badger brush Edwin Jagger razor Nivea Sensitive COOL Cooling balm Honestly, I was displeased with the lather yesterday. The soap was shockingly NOT slick. My razor felt like I was using something closer to rosin than to shave soap as I pulled the razor across my face. Perhaps I over- or under-saturated the soap? The lather seemed a little bit on the thin side vs what I usually make with other soaps I have, but only a bit, and I thought I should have used more water based on how much product I used and how long MdC is supposed to last. The shave outcome was fine despite the lather, though. I also don't think I care for the absinthe scent all that much. It's something I'd enjoy from time to time, but not more than occasionally. Today I went back to Prorasso white-label Sensitive skin soap, but stuck with the Nivea cooling post-shave balm. Everything else the same (no pic today). Today's lather felt a bit thin, and dripped some from the razor as it built up on the underside, but slight thinness notwithstanding, slickness was good.
fine shaves and pic..a quick face wash before the first lather usually preps the whiskers and adds sickness..
Excellent shaves Eoin. I tend to disagree with conventional wisdom that a lather has to be thick and fluffy. As long as I get a good shave, then my lather is fine. I like a wetter lather, because it is more slicker and will make the razor glide more easily and minimize razor burn. Now, everyone's skin and beard is different so you have to find the right balance for you.