Monday April 1 - Menthol Monday; Arko Adjustable Artisan April
Prep: Hot shower with Aleppo olive oil soap with 20% bay laurel oil
Razor: Rockwell T2 adjustable DE set on "3" ; Rockwell blade (1) - The "Adjustable"
Soap: Arko stick - The "Arko"
Brush: Jason's
@jtspartan 30DC LE maple brush with 24mm APShaveCo cashmere synthetic knot - The "Artisan"
Lather Bowl: None
Post: rinse, alum, rinse, Clubman Osage Rub (the "Menthol"), Clubman VIBR
Last shave: unsure but 4 to 7 days ago
The stuff:
View attachment 293040
The photo lacks artistry but does show the ingredients for a very good shave.
I find that Arko is very easy to use. After I have rubbed the stick over my damp whiskers, face lathering it quickly creates enough lather on my face and in the brush for two or three passes. The soap is slick and protective. The only minor downsides to it are the somewhat artificial lemony smell and the fact that it leaves my skin feeling rather dry afterwards. However, the scent is mild and inoffensive, and as for the dry skin -- that's what aftershave splashes and balms are for.
I think "3" is about the right dial setting for me on the T2. I use " 4" on my vintage Gillettes, but their dials go up to " 9" , while the T2's top setting is "6", although the wide open razors are equally aggressive.
One pass WTG on my face and ATG on my neck on "3" removed several days' stubble, leaving me at least socially acceptably cleanshaven. I would probably have done a second pass XTG to get to a near BBS. However, I was running a tight timetable before I had to start work, so I called it "good enough".
The Osage Rub provides a strong menthol chill and the Clubman VIBR produces a noticeable alcohol burn; the combination is quite bracing. Together they left me wide awake and ready to start my night shift.
Hope everyone had a good Easter long weekend!
Click to expand...
