I have been busy so here is a catch up: It is decision time on my Saito SK-3. Yes it is smaller and lighter than I prefer but it takes a fantastic edge and is wonderful to shave with.... staying. The stank of the day was MDCI Le Barbier de Tanger. Another top razor is this Dorko that I bought as NOS, butterscotch scales and gold, she looks as good as she shaves. For variety for the weekend, really enjoying this AoS cream. This big Riga Razor is the best steel of all my straights, long lasting wickedly sharp edge. Sunday woke up late so loaded up my Futur and to match the heat some Eau Sauvage. In a few hours I am off to the airport to visit the fatherland. My travel set up includes Arko, doubles as bug repellent and Piggly Wiggly attractant. Karve with some Feather blades and can our Opera Tenor guess the brush?
Sunday, September 7 Ariana & Evans Agarwood~~Simpson KH2~~Gillette #44/Voskhod OK, Primo's still alive. I haven't shaved in about a week and I am looking like I am about to grow a beard. Instead, I outlined the Fu-Manchu and outlined the sideburns to resemble a biker. The A&E is a great cream---however, it's important to not let it get too sticky, lest it pull hairs out of your brush. Nice scent and the Voskhod, inserted in the Gillette #44, made short work of the more than stubble on Primo's kisser.
With that shave soap, we now have a competitor to Stoylin's 2 Agars.I'll try it in the future(the Agarwood).
Monday, September 15 Extro Egyptian Oudh~~dubl duck #2~~Feather AS-D2/Voskhod Not as active as I used to be on the forum. My work schedule precludes me from my usual, relaxed shave-time. I won't rush it, just to say I shaved---ergo, I don't shave very much these days. The Extro is a good, vegan-based soap, but the scent leaves a lot to be desired.
Wednesday, September 17 Mike's Honey & Grapefruit~~Shavemac D01~~Grand Shave King/Voskhod~~Amouage Search Interesting acquisition. The Grand Shave King was the first DOC razor. PAA would later copy the idea. I have seen it, but not a customer of that brand. Initially, I thought it was going to be very "blade-forward", but in reality, it is a fairly "mild" razor. Does not mean to say it won't cut, but I had no issues on the maiden voyage. The Shavemac is my largest knot and it is indeed huge. Picked up a goodly amount of the Mike's and delivered it comfortably to my kisser. Finished with the un-pictured Amouage Search. Nice, summer stank.
Thursday, September 18 QCS Lavender~~Declaration Grooming B5~~Grand Shave King/Voskhod (2) Listed as tomorrow's shave, but I actually just completed it. The QSC Lavender is every bit as good as the old AoS (Valobra) tallow soaps. Second outing with the GSK DE and I really like it. The head has an excellent geometry and the DOC truly allows more lather to remain on the face...i.e. "self-lubricating". The DG B5 is without rival. I spritzed some more Amouage Search to the back of my neck---just because.
Thursday, September 18 MdC Fougère~~Paladin PK-47 Shavenook 3rd Anniversary 39/100~~Grand Shave King/Voskhod (3) Made the picture too small to appreciate. The Paladin PK-47 is stunning. The butterscotch is one of my favorites. Third shave with the GSK and it's proving to be a winner. MdC Fougère. A serious shave den has to include it.
I am back from my trip to the motherland. A certain person who shall remain nameless inspired my to purchase a vintage bottle of Aqua Velva so I used for my first shave upon my return. The steel was a Mastro Livi and Thäter brush to get back to work on the XXX. A near wedge Korat blade and R 41 were the next razors to be enjoyed. The XXX still has a way to go but I will be beating it like a stuborn donkey.
Saturday, September 20 Macduffs Prairie Rumrunner~~Black Eagle HT1~~Grand Shave King/Voskhod~~Dominica Bay Rum Hit a homer with this combo. The Macduffs is a top-notch soap base and the scents---at least the three that I own, are gorgeous. Last shave with the Voskhod. Going to move on to a different razor/blade. Wishing all my compadres a terrific weekend.
Sunday, September 21 MWF (Cavendish infused)~~Rubberset 400/3~~Wostenholm Pipe Razor Had to see if I lost any skills with the Straight Razor. No blood...not the sharpest steel in my den. the scales are nice 'n tight and I love the history behind old razors. I eschewed a stank and allowed the MWF/Cavendish shave soap to take center stage.
Monday, September 22 MdC Vétyver~~Wald S1~~Wolfman WR1 Ti .74/Rapira~~Roja Parfums Vetiver Pour Homme Brand new Rapira blade. I have never used this brand before. Very sharp; quite smooth. The MdC Vétyver is a marvelous shave soap, and with the advent of fall, seemed appropriate. Rainy (finally) in the heartland. We needed it desperately. Finished with a terrific vetiver stank.
