SoS: December 15, 2014 - December 21, 2014

SOTD - Thursday, December 18, 2014

Hot shower
Prep: Lime PSO
Brush: WD Silvertip
Cream: Castle Forbes Lime
Razor: Weber PH bulldog handle
Blade: Personna Lab Blue (4)
Post: Thayer's Cucumber WH
Aftershave: Mennen Skin Bracer

- Don

 

December 19's

Nivea Men's Face Wash
Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap
Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush
Merkur 37c Slant
Feather Hi-Stainless
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Pinaud Vegetal

The Col. Conk Lime Shave Soap face-lathered well with my Frank Shaving Finest Badger brush. Two passes with my Merkur 37c Slant and Feather Hi-Stainless blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Pinaud Vegetal after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

 

SOTD 18 December 2014

 

Congratulations Sir!

 

SOTD December 18, 2014

Prep: Hot shower. Neutrogena face wash. Hot towel.

Lather: New York Shaving Company Elizabeth Street shave cream.

Razor: Standard Razor.

Blade: Personna (CVS branded)

Post: Cold water; Razorock Alum Block.

After: Murray y Lanman Agua de Florida (Peruvian).

So I got "The Barber" box from Bespoke Post in the mail today. It is a very nice starter set and although it doesn't come with a brush -- which is to me something almost essential for a beginning wet shaver -- the rest of the setup is very high quality. I suppose since the cream they supply is very rich and thick, the lack of a brush can be forgiven... Though to me a brush is one of the defining characteristics of a true wet shaver.



The box included a shaving towel, a Gentleman Jon alum block, a pack of Silver Blue blades, a pack of Derby blades, a 2 ounce tub of New York Shaving Company Elizabeth Street shave cream, a short pamphlet on wet shaving "do"s and "don't ", and the real prize: a black Standard Razor.

So I figured what the heck... I'd give the box a try for today's SOTD and see if it was worth the money. As an aside, if you sign up and use the code RESCUE15, you can get the box for $31.50... The drawback being that you are then signed up with them for a monthly shipment of another themed box (not shaving). They promise you can cancel at any time, though, so since I am really only interested in the shaving package they offer, I will likely cancel within the next couple of days.

First, the towel: it's nothing extraordinary, just a linen towel similar to what you might buy for drying dishes. Basically a step up from a shop rag. But I used it as directed and rinsed it in hot water then applied it for a minute or two to my face and scalp after my shower.

Second, the cream: it surprised me a bit at how thick and rich it was. In fact, it clogged the razor a little, and I had to put more water in the sink to swish the razor in, in order to prevent the clogging. But I would say it was a pretty luxurious cream. It is advertised on the label as being for sensitive skin, but I noticed a slightly painful tingling on my scalp, which makes me wonder if it might have ingredients that would irritate some peoples skin. Nice light scent, though, and a lot of both slip and cushion. Comparable to the slip and cushion I felt using TOBS, but significantly thicker. It has kind of a pearly luster, a little like some of the Maggard or Omega softer soaps.

Then, the razor. It is a great looking, modern razor, in sort of a powder-coated black. It reminded me of a stealth fighter when I first pulled it out of the box. It is lighter than I expected... Shouldn't have been a surprise since their site says the Standard Razor is made from aluminum. But just because it is light doesn't mean it feels cheap... Far from it.

It does have a non-standard attachment from the handle to the head; instead of a threaded hole in the handle, there is a threaded hole in the head, into which the screw fits. Kind of odd, compared to the other 3-pieces I've used, but it didn't detract from anything, especially once I loaded a blade and screwed it back together.

One thing I noticed as soon as I started shaving: it has a slightly larger head than many razors I've used, such that the entire blade was covered from end to end of the razor head. Being a head shaver, I have nicked myself above my ears numerous times with Kronas, my FHT, and my Merkurs, because the end tabs of the razor blades stick out a little with those razors. Not so with the Standard. This is something I *really* appreciated and which still stands out as one of the defining features of the razor.

The other thing I noticed was how smooth it felt, and what nice audible feedback it gave. Being aluminum, it is a bit noisier than many heavier razors -- in that you can hear the whiskers being moved down. It felt cool and slick as I shaved. I really liked the feel of it. The resulting shave was close - comparable to some of the best shaves I've had to date. All in all, I was very impressed by the Standard Razor.

I finished with the newly-arrived Agua de Florida from Peru (by way of Shoebox Shave). As another aside, the box from Bespoke Post would have benefited from including one or more small aftershave samples. To me, the box was missing this as well as a brush... But I suppose there's only so much you can include for $45 (or less, after the discount).

Anyway, back to the Agua de Florida. There are some slight differences between US Florida Water and Peruvian Agua de Florida,apparently. I'm no expert, but the U.S. version is clear with a light blue-green tint to it. The Peru version appears more yellow in color. Also, the U.S. version seems to have more cinnamon notes up front with bergamot at the back. The Peru version seems more lemony and slightly more floral and has less of a spice note. I can't say at this point that I have a clear preference one way or the other. I suppose the Peruvian version may be a bit more subtle and refined. And it does come in a giant bottle... I suppose good for liberally dousing people if you are performing some Santeria or voodoo ritual.

Anyway, there's my review of The Barber box and the Agua de Florida. I'll be using the Standard Razor again soon. I was definitely impressed with it.



TL;DR: $31.50 for The Barber box is a steal, and the Standard razor is a keeper for sure!

 

Great review Eric, thank you for the feedback and promo code. At that price, I may just add the standard back into the den. I really like the heavy contrast and how easy it is to align the blade because of the black razor. It is indeed an underrated great performer.

 

Well ...

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Yay for love and simple treats! Have a happy one!

 

Congratulations!

 

Plan for 18 December 2014

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Pretty close! My wife is a red head, and I sadly look too much like Fred.

 

Thanks Chris and please, call me Mark.

 

Evening Shave...

I have to be up early once again tomorrow, so I decided to enjoy my shave this evening instead of rush tomorrow. I think Razorock hits the nail on the head with this cologne scented soap. The exec/feather was a smooth ride for 3 passes. I finished with a little Nivea sensitive balm and ready for bed. In case you didn't notice, I gave my trusty Plisson a new Handle. This is a great brush and one that is quickly gaining in popularity, but I never did care too much for the handle. I like this one much better.

Have a good one gents....the weekend is almost here.

 

Nice looking razor Bruce!

 

Nice review. I concur with your view regarding the Standard. I was quite surprised how smooth and efficient this lightweight was compared to my other razors and will not part with mine. Bought mine five months ago for the same price and picked up a Silver Standard as a spare but ended up trading it for an Aristocrat but will not part with my black Standard.

 

Tomorrow's Planned SOTD 12/19/2014
Razor: Every-Ready 1924
Blade: Gem PTFE SS (12)
Brush: Shavemac Horn 24mm Silvertip
Shave Bowl: Doug Smith 5" Shaving Mug
Pre Shave Soap: MRGLO Lime
Pre Shave Oil: Homemade Lavender Mint
Shave Soap: Mitchells’ Wool Fat
Post: Monster Alum Block
Aftershave: Alpa Fougère EDC


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Congratulations Mark!

 

Friday Morning Shave
Razor: Gillette New
Blade: Perma-Sharp (1)
Brush: Isana Men Pure Badger
Soap: Proraso
AS: Brut Original
EDT: Pino Silvestre

As Fridays are my weekly holidays, I had lots of time to spend time for shaving. I had a nice and very close shave without any nick or irritation in two passes.

 

Sounds like a good idea.

I guess I'll follow in your steps. Might prove to be fun! And maybe it's extendable to brushes or razors as well. Though not all at once. Sometimes soaps, sometimes brushes, sometimes razors.

 

Thanks for the extensive review, Eric! That Sandard looks like a beaut! But I don't see any knurling on the handle, doesn't it get slippery when wet?