Thank you Jeff and I hope you get over your sinus troubles also. Take care

Grazie Joe . I'm anxious to try the closed comb on my noggin .

Good Red Tip shave, Paul, despite the nick! Keep at it!

Thank you Jeff....I blame the Knick on being thrown off by the blade difference. I'll be more prepared tomorrow.

@jtspartan. I would. reshoe it, if I were you, Jason!

I resemble that remark.

You were spot on in your observation about the WKS sharpness. Just let the weight of the Red Tip head do the work! They’re good razors; I used to have one, but traded it away as part of a straight razor barter with s local friend.

February Focus

Antica Barbieria Colla~~Simpson D3~~Gustave Lalune~~Dior Homme
Traded a jar of MdC original for the above-pictured Antica Barbieria Colla,
which, when translated, means: Ancient Barbershop Paste.
100g tips the financial scale at a hefty $70.00.
I can't recall what I paid for the Martin de Candre, but it was comparable, albeit for 200g of hard soap.
The ABC is a very firm croap, much, much firmer than the modern, artisan "soap".
The scent is called "almond", but if you've ever smiled an almond, you know they have almost no smell.
So they add that cherry scent, resulting in a mild marzipan scent.
After Cella, Boellis Panama and the recently titaniced tub of 3P, I vowed never to own another scent like this.
So much for Primo's vows.
With a plastic scoop, I had to apply some force to get some soap out of the tub.
Will it last as long as a puck of Tabac? Hardly, but in a shave den consisting of more than 30 soaps...who cares?
So, how did it lather
It was slow going creating the lather, because I mos def© did not want to flood it with H2O too quickly.
Eventually, I got the soap to a lovely consistency with a fair amount of shine.

I have read comments, espousing the slickness of this soap, especially suited for a straight razor.
That was all I needed to read, before choosing the French, drop-forged Gustave Lalune.
Was this soap the revelation of my shaving career? No.
Is it slick? Yes.
Is it protective? Yes.
Is the scent light and unobtrusive? Yes.
Is it worth $70.00? Nope.
For that money, you can have a huge tub of Santa Maria Novella shave cream, which I like better.
But because I didn't have any money outlay, I am not sorry to have it in my den.
I will come back to it.
The shave went well and without any epidermal breaching.
This razor is, however, going to need a refreshing.
Finished with a vintage scent by Christian Dior:




You must like Iris or this scent is not for you. I like Iris...ergo, this scent is for me.​

I have a feeling you may soon be consulting the Canadian law firm of Mackenzie & Mackenzie LLC over the use of the word 'eschewed' from what I've been reading on here lately
The Booster is just the right balance I find . Cool and refreshing but not overly done . Have a good one eh!

Excellent choice with the Sterling Paul. Sandpiper has a great scent . I myself prefer the Wilkinson blade over the green Astra any day. Its smoother right out of the wrapper and guys have stated here lately also that the first shave with the Astra is tuggy or rough. Keep up the good work Sir

DE Shave # 327

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Merkur 37c Slant
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Brush: Semogue Torga C5
Lather: Razorock X (1508.5)
Aftershave: Razorock X
Additional Care:
Stirling Alum Block
Stirling Tea Tree Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

I decided to forego the planned straight razor shave to test a theory I had regarding the Muhle R41. Wait! "Joe your shave pictures the Merkur 37c?” In my post yesterday, I expressed that I did not find my Muhle R41 as being overly aggressive, when compared to some observations of other users. I have received countless phenomenal shaves without incident. Joe, @Primotenore, suggested that I provide some incite regarding my approach with the R41 so others may benefit. I had planned on commenting last night.

My theory is the tremendous success with the R41 is that the weight of the razor plays into allowing me to control the razor easily. I find my Merkur 37c to be more aggressive. This morning I decided to weigh both razors with a blade. My findings:
R41: 137 g Maggard's MR3 handle. The handle weighs 98 g.
37c: 76 g

This morning's shave with the Merkur 37c delivered a smooth, close shave. However, I did manage to obtain a weeper on Adam's apple. I attribute this to user error, moving to quickly resulted in a set down error. Apparently, the greater the weight of the razor the more mindful I am of my approach to placing the razor.

The process for the R41 is as follows:
1. Load the brush with soap. If the 1508.5 Project - load directly in the container for 60 seconds then whip up in the bowl. Other shaves, scoop an almond sized amount of soap, press into the bowl and proceed whipping into a nice lather.
2. I apply the soap for a three pass shave, WTG, XTG, and OTG.
3. With each pass, I set the razor down carefully onto the shaving area.
4. Establish an angle that I have found works with the R41, approximately in the 25 - 30 degree range. (Almost riding the cap)
5.Strokes: Slow and controlled. Longer along the side of the face. Shorter on the chin and neck areas.
6. Following each pass, I lightly apply cold moisture to the shave area, reapply soap and proceed.
7. After the three passes, I lather a fourth time. Clean up the hardware, wipe off lather, rinse with hot then cold water.
8. Apply alum, witch hazel, balm and finally splash.

In conclusion, the R41 is a great razor. As with each razor in my den, there is a learning curve to work through the idiosyncrasies of each. Given time and patient, you will manage great shaves with each. That being said, become complacent, the razor will remind you very quickly who is boss.

Have a great day gentlemen.

Lovely TI shave, Joseph! I’m glad to be a nasal barbarian with a muted olfactory nerve incapable of making the fine distinctions between scent notes of you educated fragheads. Sharp is probably a worse addiction than smelly. For whatever reason I just seem incapable of mustering up the enthusiasm over scents that you lot do. I can’t imagine the storage requirements for 30+ soaps! Well, to each his own!

Great shave, Joe! Having Parkinson’s, light razors are an issue for me as my micro tremors can result in nicks. If I’m going to use a razor lighter than about 90 grams (my threshold), I need the forearm weights.

Glad you got a good lather out of the soap Joseph. Anytime I scoop a chunk of harder soap( usually a sample someone gave me ) into a bowl I find it takes some elbow grease getting a lather worked up. I find it easier with the hard soaps that I do load out of the container as I pick up enough on the brush to get a face lather going. For the softer croaps my brush never touches the container .
For 70 bucks you could buy a lifetime supply of Arko
Have a great day!

February 9th
Razor: Timeless Bronze OC
Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Black (3)
Brush: Heritage Collection Merit
Pre-shave: PAA Cube
Soap: MLS Grand Havana
PAA Galactic Witch Hazel
B&M Unscented Balm
AS: MLS Grand Havana

Good morning!

Terrific shave to start the day! The Bronze OC once dialed in is awesome!

Have a great day!



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Wonderful photos and shave report Joseph.

Excellent shave report Joe. My list for the R41 is very similar. Thanks for taking the time to write it up.

Thanks, Clint!

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Wonderful shave Barry.

Thank you Clint. Have an enjoyable day.

Well written report Joe. I definitely agree with you on learning each razors sweet spot and never to get complacent. Just wondering if the weight you noted for the R41 is with original handle ?