Sunday, January 29 XPEC~~Simpson M7~~2011 Mühle R41/7 O'Clock Black~~St Johns Bay Rum Last shave before the new 3017 kicks in. It's been about 4 days without shaving and if there is one razor in this world, which can remove 100% of growth in one pass, it's the 2011 R41. I, however, made three passes for that extra-smooth, rubber-face feeling. Some Caribbean juice for a flourish-finish.
Day 1 Started a new 3017 this morning. This locally produced soap is on the docket. About 1.5 ounces left, I would guess. Pleasant scent, ‘just ok’ performance. They have a tallow base (that they hand render, fwiw). This isn’t it.
The only way to finish the Erasmic, is in superlathering. So I'll kill two birds with one stone. https://theshaveden.com/forums/posts/2067959/
Up next for elimination, Tallow + Steel Kyoto. The soap has degraded and while it still lathers "OK", I want it gone. Nothing says "Gotta Go", like a good ol' 3017. Day One The Kyoto was paired with my Rubberset 400/3, which holds an Omega knot, deftly and ably replaced by one of TSD's resident brush-makers, @Jayaruh To pay homage to another fine member, @clint64 I chose my Feather AS-D2, which was loaded with the thrice-used Gillette 7 O'Clock Black. Completing the shave was a splash of the vintage YSL M7, in this case, the aftershave.
Tuesday, January 31 The Saga continues... Day Two: Kyoto 3017 Supporting Players: Detroit National Cut. Co Declaration Grooming B14 Washington Ogallala Bay Rum, Limes & Peppercorns The "National" edge is in need of some stone work. Here's something I didn't expect; The "Gel-Tips" of the B14, were not as successful, picking up product from the puck. Yesterday's Boar ate it up* *Note to self: Break out the boars and the Soap Destroyer. Ask @clint64 what that is... In addition, tomorrow, I am expecting a tub of ETHOS Bay Rum Shaving Cream. I will be suspending my 3017, to try out this new arrival. Thank you for your understanding.
My Simpson Chubby 2 requires at least twice the amount of Arko to produce sufficient lather for my shave. It's a soap destroyer, for sure, but it is not my favorite brush. It's my first and last Simpson. Good luck on the new 3017, and congrats on the new ETHOS shaving cream. Defendant is hereby granted a temporary 3017 stay under applicable provisions of Special Rule # 17.
The Soap Destroyer lives up to its name literally eating through the soap. I really like a very dense badger brush and the CH2 synthetic is very similar. It's by far my favorite synthetic brush.
January 31, 2023 Feather AS-D2 Feather Blade Mondial Boar Mithchell’s Wool Fat Small Batch Shave Tonic A very early morning shave with a late evening post. @Primotenore inspired me to purchase this boar brush and it has lived up to the hype. It is just about the perfect boar brush for me. I expect to see some real progress on this MWF now that I am back to daily shaving. Take care everyone.
February 1, 2023 Feather AS-D2 Feather Blade Mondial Boar Mithchell’s Wool Fat Small Batch Shave Tonic [ Another excellent shave to start the day. With the MWF getting softer with daily use, the Soap Destroyer can really tear into the soap. Happy Hump Day everyone!
We interrupt our regularly scheduled 3017, to bring in a just-arrived Bay Rum soap from ETHOS Wednesday, February 1 ETHOS Bay Rum~~Hucklaration B5~~Gillette RFB/7 O'Clock Black~~Burt's Bees Bay Rum New soap for today's shave, The Bay Rum is of the Caribbean variety, so if you are a fan of DR Harris or LPL Bay Rum, this will be new to you. Soap base is, as always, top notch. It produced an excellent, cushiony lather. Very protective with a very good post-shave feel. Burt's Bees is a quirky stank. Bay Rum laced with Patchouli. Discontinued, it's become hard to find and---pricey. Luckily, I have a NOS backup bottle.
What's the "sweet spot" for you, Paul, per/ounce soap price? Exclude shipping. 4.5oz of this soap runs $40. That's $8.88/oz. Expensive, I agree, however, just look all around you, it costs you 50% more just to live, than it did 2 years ago. The good thing about this brand, you absolutely get your money's worth. Frank uses nothing but the finest ingredients. And, I used literally, like is recommended, 1/2 of an almond size in my bowl. You saw the lather. It's like going to the grocery and buying ONLY organic, nothing else. You'll spend twice as much. I am in NO WAY affiliated with, nor am I shilling for, ETHOS.
I thought I saw the soaps were $60 only. The 4.5 oz/$40 certainly helps. Good analogy on the "2 years ago". Let's see how much I get back from my tax returns. That should help too. I'll keep checking the website to see what looks good.
