26th November 2020. Shaving recipe for today. Prep: Warm shower / Cussons Imperial Leather ~ Arctic Ocean & Icelandic Moss Shower Gel. Pre: Cold wet flannel to my face. Simple ~ Sensitive Bar Soap + Nuage Menthol shaving Oil. Brush : Semogue 1438. Face Lather. Soap : Williams Mug Shaving soap. Blade: Euromax Platinum half blade. (4) Razor: Yaqi Katana. Post: Cold Water Face Rinse./Homemade peppermint Lavender, + eucalyptus, Tea Tree Oil Witch Hazel Mixture./ Williams ~ Aqua Velva ASL. (Spanish Version)/Boots ~ Freshwood ASB. Greetings, Throughout the week the yaqi katana razor & Euromax Platinum half blade have really impressed me with their efficient smoothness...Once i get more accustomed with the katana i intend to try it with a Supershave X 'snapped in half blade', but for now i'm happy using the Euromax Platinum half blades which i find a very smooth non-aggressive yet a good efficient match for the katana. The williams mug shaving soap i find performs a adequately once it's been bloomed for a few minutes, then lather up for a minute with my damp boar brush creating a slick protective lather for the shave, which leaving a superb post shave feel to my face...The original 'tallow based' recipe must of been extremely good. I totally understand why some people have love/hate opinions on williams it does take a while a little more effort and time to create a good lather but once you get passed the airy/bubbly stage your rewarded with a wonderful slick protective lather that doesn't dissipate or dry out on your skin. Like most budget shaving soaps it doesn't get top marks for it's scent which to my nose is a 'clean scent with no 'bells and whistles' but makes up multitude for it's slickness protection, and post shave feel are the main things i look for in any soap or shaving cream. The scent of a shaving soap isn't a important issue for me slickness protection, and post shave feel are ok, you don't want it to smell like a 'warm horse' granted, i find once i have done my cold rinse the scent of a soap or cream scent is virtually disappeared... As always, YMMV. A comfortable 3 pass + pick ups near BBS shave with no errors to report...Finishing to the shave off with a small dollop of Boots Freshwood ASB. My face is feeling super smooth & smelling divine. Stay safe, and enjoy your Day ladies & gentlemen.
Christmas Season Day 11. Blackland Blackbird Brass vs Steel showdown with Modern Williams Prep: Hot Shower and Bloom/Lather Building Water Soap: Modern Williams Razor: Blackland Blackbird Brass (OC and SB)/Blackland Blackbird Steel (OC and SB)/Merkur Mustache and Eyebrow Razor Blade: Personna Lab Blue (1)/Personna Lab Blue (1)/Merkur Mustache and Eyebrow Blade (11) Brush: Zenith Boar AS: Aqua Velva (Eur) ASB: Aqua Velva (Eur) The lather was creamy and slick, as it should be. Just wonderful. Now for the comparison pass by pass; Pass I Right side: Brass OC Smooth and efficient Left side: Steel OC Smooth and efficient Thought there was a point the razor wasn't gliding quite right Reevaluated and it was OHS (Operator Head Space) The Brass felt heavier, but that was about it. Pass II Right Side: Steel SB Smooth and efficient Left Side: Brass SB Smooth and efficient No difference Pass III Right side: Brass SB Smooth and efficient Left side: Steel SB Smooth and efficient No difference Conclusion: The brass is heavier.
Christmas Season Day 18. Blackland Blackbird Brass with Modern Williams and Aqua Velva Musk! Prep: Hot Shower and Bloom/Lather Building Water Soap: Modern Williams Razor: Blackland Blackbird Brass (OC and SB)/Merkur Mustache and Eyebrow Razor Blade: Personna Lab Blue (2)/Merkur Mustache and Eyebrow Blade (03) Brush: Alpha Outlaw Boar AS: Aqua Velva Musk The lather was creamy and slick, as it should be. Just wonderful. The Aqua Velva Musk and the Fine Bowl were gifts from a really great friend of mine.
Williams Wednesday! GEM Micromatic Clog Pruf GEM S/S PTFE (2) Jayaruh #314 Cocobolo Wood Badger Vintage Williams Mug Shaving Soap Dickinson's Witch Hazel Williams Aqua Velva Aftershave (Spanish)