No postings for me until March 26th. My director wants all of us to have that "scruffy" look. Love all of your photos everybody.

I think I may have missed 5 shaves in the last 20 years.

L&L Grooming - TSM Fougère
Island Bladeworks "Bullwinkle" | TGN Finest
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE (1)
Chatillon Lux - TSM Fougère

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This one's been around a while, so there's probably nothing new to be said about TSM Fougère. Since Darkfall, I've been a fan of L&L Grooming and more recently of Chatillon Lux. Therefore when these two artisans pair up, wallet violation ensues.

I've commented before about the somewhat unique nature of L&L's loading. By accident, I discovered that using a barely damp brush, and dry-loading, there are virtually no bubbles. Instead, the result is a thick, stringy, sticky goop that I have a hard time calling protolather. You don't want to keep loading like this such that you get clumps, but it does have a different characteristic than that of other soaps. In my case, since I'm loading for a 3-pass head and face shave, I continue until the distal third of the knot is loaded. Then I literally dunk---completely submerge---the entire knot into my reserve water. The water penetrates proximally while the goop in the tips acts as a cap. Then I face-lather as usual. The result is a very quick creamy lather that has slickness and density reminding you that it contains clay. L&L's base is just an excellent performer.

Loading in this fashion doesn't push out the fragrance like a wetter method would, but once it's hydrated, TSM Fougère gave me a rather abrupt first impression of a green bell pepper. Just about the time I'd covered my whole face, that somewhat singular fragrance filled out with damp woodiness but a sustained bright green note. With subsequent passes, the accord stabilizes with oak, cedar, and faint citrus all underneath the bright green umbrella.

I finished with Chatillon Lux's splash which I believe was the forerunner for the fragrance. I can't say for sure, but I get the impression the team-up came about after the splash was in the wild. The first impression with the splash was much sharper as one would expect. It was more like the green pepper leave as opposed to the fruit. The rest of the transformation was the same. About 2 hours later, I still detect it fairly well with green notes and intermittent cedar, vetiver, and citrus that may be bergamot. All the while, the fragrance remains bright. I would love to see this make it to Chatillon Lux's EdT line.

Have a great performance Joseph..

Luxor Pro shavette
Shark Super Stainless blade
Maggards 22mm black synthetic brush
Nivea Sensitive shaving cream
Pinaud Clubman aftershave

Sunday's March SE Maddness


Dove Men Face Wash
L'OCCITANE Cade Shaving Soap
Jayaruh #150
Gem 1912 Damaskeene
CVS SE
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayer's Lemon WH
Speick AS

The L'OCCITANE Cade Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Jayaruh #150 synthetic brush. I did two passes the Gem 1912 Damaskeene razor and a CVS SE blade, I ended up with a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse and alum block, I finished off with Thayer's Lemon WH and then Speick AS. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Thank you my friend. It's really a great show.

Your posts are always very informative and well photographed.

Thank you very much!

Well, they are!

Sundays SOTD



Razor: Gem Damaskeene
Blade: Gem PTFE SS (03)
Brush: Simpson Duke 3
Bowl: Beaver WoodWright 4.5"
Pre-Shave Scrub: Ginger Garden Aventus
Pre-Shave Balm: TSD Oakmoss Sandalwood
Shave Soap: Lisa's Natural Sandalwood Patchouli
Post: Monster Block Alum
Aftershave: Tiki AS Lotion (Orange Patchouli)


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SOTD
March 18, 2017
Prep: Hot Shower.
Razor: Weber PH w/RazoRock Ti Halo
Blade: BIC Chrome Platinum
Lather: Saponificio Bignoli Young
Brush: APShave Co Olive wood w/Tuxedo knot
Aftershave:Fine Lavender Pour Homme
Excellent shave. First time using Saponificio Bignoli Young, a beautiful fresh Lavander scent, outstanding packaging and performance. The Tuxedo knot is my favorite synthetic knot.

Can't wait to see it on Broadway.

Sunday planned SOTD

Cobra Classic razor
Thater 4125 brush
MdC Rose shaving soap
The "Veg" aftershave​

Beautiful picture, Roger!

3/18/2017
BRUT Shave...
1. hot shower
2. crown king ET TU, limited BRUT tribute shave soap. Amazing scent, tons of slickness and cushion.
3. semogue 1305 w/fine bowl.
4. gillette gold black beauty set on 4 with a new LORD classic blade. This has become my favorite smooth and mild blade, amazing...
5. thayers aloe verea unscented / ET TU Aftershave / BRUT special reserve cologne spray.

Thanks

BBS-1/STORK :: ELITE LAPIS MANCHURIAN :: WICKHAM "1912" CASHMERE :: PITRALON​

Tonight's shave was with a razor I use to call "The Ugly Duckling", because it was a complete rust bucket when I bought it. I had a fantastic 2 pass shave after I touched it up with a Surgical Black Arkansas stone. Even going against the grain was smooth. The result was a BBS shave.

Razor- Dubl Duck Dwarf
Brush- B400 By Tom
Soap- Stirling Barbershop
Aftershave- Vintage Shulton Old Spice