I’m still trying to figure out what duffnuts are? And I agree there must be some sort of interference for cookies not to be at a higher position.

Thanks, Clint. I'm really enjoying the TGN badgers. Hopefully my TGN boar settles in.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Which brings us to today...

December 13, 2018

Razor: Gillette New Deluxe Tuckaway
Blade: Treet Platinum (1)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Soap: Stirling Sheep
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

As some of you may recall, back in October, I acquired a New Deluxe Tuckaway as part of a pass-around from another forum. I used it for a couple of shaves during OCtober but had some issues with it being aggressive and biting me. I had it out yesterday as part of sending the case to @jimjo1031 for relining and started taking a good look at it, especially the corner lugs on the cap and how they fit in the channels. Looking closely, it appeared that the lugs appeared to be touching the baseplate and possibly keeping it cap from sitting flat; if this was the case, it would affect the blade clamping and cause some of the issues I was having. After looking at a couple of cap variations, I decided to switch the cap between my New SC and New Deluxe. Today's shave is an initial test to see if it made a difference.

I started by shaving one cheek just to make sure that I didn't mess up the New SC. That seemed to go well, so I switched to the New Deluxe for the rest of the shave. The good news is that it is still aggressive but the cap change definitely tamed it. Two passes, no blood or significant irritation, and a BBS or close enough.

I need to spend some more time with these two razors to make sure I haven't screwed them up but, so far, it looks good.

Thank you, Andrew!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

SOTD DEcember 13th


Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap
Cooper MonoBilt
Pol Silver SI(6)
Yaqi Moka Express (26mm, Frigate Class)
Van Yulay Smokin Hot Pineapple soap and AS

Good morning friends. Today's Decadent shave feature a soap company that you don't hear much about and the king of the vintage DE razors. The Van Yulay soap (this one is a tallow base, she has several different bases containing various oils and fats) is very soft and the big Yaqi brush picked up a lot of soap in a short time. The scent of Smokin Hot Pineapple is meant to be that of grilling fresh pineapple rings, and actually contains some pineapple that the soapmaker grilled themselves, it also contains base notes of smoke and vetiver. Performance of the soap was amazing, it made a creamy, shiny, dense lather that was super slick and had very good residual slickness. Scent strength was a solid 7 and just having the tub open in the bathroom filled the room with smokey pineapple goodness. Post shave feel was very good and was only enhanced by the AS. The AS is alcohol free and contains lots of skin food and left my face feeling supple and well hydrated. The only downside is that the packaging seems somewhat amateurish, the label for the AS looks like it was printed in house. The bottle for the AS is plastic and I'm not a fan of this style of soap container. Those flaws are easily overlooked however as the quality of the product more then makes up for it.

Six shaves on a Pol Silver and its showing no signs of stopping. It is still cutting smoothly and is still sharp enough to pull off a BBS shave. The MonoBilt once again proved itself and just reiterated why it is my favorite vintage DE. Have a great day my friends!

Interesting comparison John! I'm glad you found a way to take the bite out of your New Deluxe!

December Focus

Saponificio Varesino Colonia 4.3~~Morris & Forndran Finest Beehive~~Gillette New SC~~Polsilver SI
Of all the soap choices in my den, and the choices are embarrassingly many, I picked the recently acquired
Saponificio Varesino Colonia Beta 4.3.
I know, I have just completed about a month of using another Acqua di Parma clone: RazoRock XXX.
So how does this soap compare
Saddle up and let's go for a ride
First thing I noticed when I opened the tin: No more classy stamping of the puck.
(I should mention, that I did own the same soap Beta 4.0 and still own a Felce Aromatica, same base)
Both of the 4.0 soaps had a maker's stamp. Superfluous, sure, but what the heck, for $36 that's the least they can do.
Second thing I noticed was that the puck did not fit the tin. It moved around.
Now, this may seem OCD, but that is completely unacceptable for this reason:
Water gets under the puck and does not completely dry; which could lead to mold;
especially when you are rotating 60+ soaps in your den, it could be that I might not revisit this soap for two months.
Got the box grater out and grated the puck and then pressed it back into the tin, using my 58mm espresso tamper.
(I take a piece of plastic wrap and put that over the soap before tamping)
Third thing I noticed was this: this is the softest "triple-milled" soap I have ever owned.
Shockingly soft. Not a croap, but when I think of triple-milled, soaps that readily come to mind are:
DRH, MWF, AoS, Fine, Tabac, Valobra, etc.
THOSE soaps are rock hard. This soap was not even close.
Not a deal breaker by any means, just unusual. (100% vegetable, perhaps )
Finally we come to the scent...
Now here is where I am most disappointed.
The 4.0 Colonia had a terrific AdP scent.
The RR XXX had a terrific AdP scent.
This soap...not so. It's good, but just not great.
I compared it directly with my tub of AdP (original formulation BTW) and again, it was pretty close,
but I think that RR nailed it. SV gets a participation trophy.
It has a hotel-soap fragrance. That does not cut it my friends.
Now, let's discuss (one-sided, admittedly) the lather.
I did bloom the soap whist showering. That's my procedure and I am sticking with it.
The top layer of the soap really turned a lightish color, clearly "dissolving".
The M&F had no problem loading quite a bit of product.
To the face...
REALLY dry. I had a ton of lather screaming for H2O. I added a lot of water and probably could have added more.
I failed to get that shiny lather that I am looking for. My fault, I admit.
Too much soap... Yes, I said it, too much soap.
Next time, listen closely @wchnu I am NOT going to bloom this soap. It's not necessary.
First pass was acceptable, but nowhere near slick enough.
Second and third passes were better, because I rinsed and left my face wet.
After the final rinse, I have to say that the post-shave was not stellar; dryish, in fact.
I will still call these issues "user-error", until I can prove otherwise.
The SV aftershave is slightly viscous; not a balm, but not an AS either.
Per the directions, I gave it a good shake and applied about a teaspoon to my face.
Coverage is good, slight tingle due to the alcohol content.
The moisturizing property of the AS is not bad at all and countered the dry feeling I had post-shave.
I am not going to give this product a rating yet. It's too early and I need to dial in the H2O,
BUT, I will say that the scent is somewhat disappointing, if one is expecting an AdP clone.​

Nice post, John!

Smokin Hot Pineapple?!?! Now we're talking! Great shave and photo, Andrew!

Awesome photo, Joseph! Love the different format today! The prose was fantastic as well!

Thank you Perry!

Thorough and engaging post, Joseph! Really enjoy the piano in your photo.

Great picture and report, Andrew! The Monobilt is an excellent razor. I really enjoyed the shaves I got from it in the time I had it.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Thank you, Jim!

Actually that was unnecessary to mention Charlie. They had already mentioned the international members.

I think it's a local brand of doughnuts that @Paul Turner buys at Piggly Wiggly...whenever he ventures out of Aisle 12.

I hope it does as well. I’ve never tried a TGN boar knot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Congrats. Sounds like you’ve found a fix.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Great report and photo Andrew.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thank you, Clint!

Excellent report Joseph.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk