Thank you Jason. I came very close to rotating MdC varieties on Sunday. I still might change my mind. I picked Mystic Water in an effort to finish up another soap and get the inventory down.

I can understand why it would be treasured. Congrats again on such a beautiful razor.

I was part of many chatrooms in AOL....made some good acquintances....just like in here now .

Personna red
Weishi TTO
Proraso Green soap

Good shave but I had a slight issue with one bleeder but suspect that might have been either due to a bump there which got cut open or the fact that I did not do my usual prep with a hot towel. That prep really does make a difference! The blade is smooth. Also getting a better feel for how to make a good foam with the brush and what amount of water to add. I may have to get a better brush at some point. I'm using the brush that came with an iZod set of shaving products as a gift. I haven't used the shaving products but the brush seems to work well for now. I have no idea how to tell a good brush from a bad one. How do you guys tell that?

I've noticed a lot of people seem to be using Stirling products here. Are their products really that good?

Short answer: Yes. I just put in another order today. You can find fancier or snootier stuff out there, but everything they sell punches WAAAAY above its price point and is really good stuff.

IMO prep will make your shave more comfortable, but wont really prevent nicks and weepers. You might still be using a bit too much pressure. Secondly, Yes Stirling products are that good and also represent a great value. BTW all of the brushes Stirling sells are fantastic too!

Word of mouth can help steer you in choosing a brush. Seeing many brushes by a particular maker is an endorsement. Doesn't mean you'll like them, but they are favored. Is your current brush a natural fiber, boar, badger, or horse? Synthetic fibers the the other major option. Each type of knot has it's fans and advantages or problems. If you like a soft feeling to the bristles and near zero issues in maintenance modern synths can be inexpensive. So far I'm only talking about the bristle knot itself. Handles are another matter. You can assemble your own brush with a chosen knot, and a custom handle. Sky's the limit there, but I think you were more asking about a commercially available assembled brush. So consider if you want a fiber with a very soft feel, or scratchy & scrubby. Decide on your budget and ask folks about brushes whos style flips your minnow (© Jared @PickledNorthern).

Razor: Alumigoose w/ iKon Bamboo Handle
Blade: Feather Professional
Brush: El Druida Mopane 2 Band Badger.
Soap: Stirling Eucalyptus Mint
A/S: Stirling Eucalyptus Mint

One more 2 pass shave with the slightest of clean up for a near BBS. I really like the iKon Bamboo handle. It is very easy to grip and has good weight for lighter heads like an alumigoose. This brush is a beauty.
Colophospermum mopane, commonly called mopane, mophane, mopani, balsam tree, butterfly tree, and turpentine tree. It is a tree that grows in hot, dry, low-lying areas, 200 to 1,150 metres (600 to 3,770ft) in elevation, in the northern parts of South Africa. The tree only occurs in Africa and is the only species in genus Colophospermum. It's distinctive butterfly-shaped leaf and thin seed pod make it easy to identify.

Beautiful shot, Doug! And a stunning brush too!

Very nice, Jason.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Awesome job! It's always great as a beginner when you don't spill any blood.

Thanks, Jason. I'm going to keep working at it.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

very much Andrew.

Thanks, Rick. Hopefully I'll have it figured out by then.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I love that that brush! Is fall coming to Canada already, Doug, or is that color in the background from pinecones?

Thanks very much Randy. Although it is very hot and humid today the trees have started to change and it is very cool in the evenings.

Great picture with a great effect, Jason!

Terrific picture, Brian! You definitely have the travel shaves down.

Thank you, Jason! I have been pondering my list of favorites for a while. I may have to come up with a list.

Thank you, Clint!