Razor: Koraat 15/16 Full Hollow - Sub Exclusive 'Moarteen' (1)
Lather: Ariana & Evans - Nero e Rosso - Soap
Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Beaudelaire - Aftershave
Fragrance: Brut - EdT
I've been busy with shaving related activities today. I 3D printed a handle for a DinoBoar knot that I got, and went to work honing every single straight razor that I own. They all got to a point where they needed refreshing. Most of them I actually decided to take all the way back to 2k to start from scratch. I did it in sort of an assembly line type of way, re-flattening the stones after every couple of razors. Each razor would get a turn on the 5k for example, then I'd bring out the 8k and each razor would get some work, etc.
Not knowing if my honing workflow was actually effective, I only finished one razor on the 10k -- the Koraat. This test shave tells me that yes, if I go and finish each razor on the 10k, they should all be a success.
I killed the edge on this razor, which was previously done by @[email protected]. I got 21 shaves out of his edge before abandoning ship. That included some paste stropping for maintenance. Greg's edge was really something -- super skin friendly, and it shaved very close. So you can imagine my curiosity, wondering if I could create a similar edge with my synthetic stones.
The result is very good! The jnat edge from Greg was better as I remember it, but the edge I made today makes me very happy. No aftershave feedback, and smooth as it gets.
Lastly, I played around with an update to the SDS which, when I actually publish it, should excite @[email protected] at least a little bit. I added fields for spine width and blade width (as measured from the hone wear line), and the angle of the edge is calculated for you. The Koraat is 17.13 degrees. Two of my favorites, a Puma 76 and the Rheingold Licht Werk are 15.87 and 16.08, respectively. My Gold Dollar has the largest angle, measuring in at 18.83 degrees.
Really, synthetics give you the ability to create the most refined edge. I have abrasives that go beyond 100K grit. Honestly, though, I don't find the need to refine beyond about 12K. That's a sweet spot of comfort, durability, and keenness in my experience.
I use the Naniwa Superstone 12k. They sell a thick one, and a thin one that is less expensive. I bought the thin one.
And something you will enjoy as an RC guy. Get some dense balsa and cut it down to about 8x3x0.5. Sand the surface flat and very smooth, then lightly coat with either the green chromium oxide paste (at Maggard), or 0.5 micron diamond paste or CBN paste (Jende). This can be used as a strop to add refinement after the 12k and you can use it at a 15 (ish) shave interval to extend edge.
Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Gothorum Tonstrina - Aftershave
Post Shave: Oleo & Co. - Facial Toner - Toner
Fragrance: Stirling - Varen - EdT
The Blackbird is definitely an efficient razor. I probably could have stopped at two passes, but I ended up doing my typical three. Great results, no complaints.
Varen++; I wish the soap and splash didn't irritate my face.
June 18th, 2026
I've been busy with shaving related activities today. I 3D printed a handle for a DinoBoar knot that I got, and went to work honing every single straight razor that I own. They all got to a point where they needed refreshing. Most of them I actually decided to take all the way back to 2k to start from scratch. I did it in sort of an assembly line type of way, re-flattening the stones after every couple of razors. Each razor would get a turn on the 5k for example, then I'd bring out the 8k and each razor would get some work, etc.
Not knowing if my honing workflow was actually effective, I only finished one razor on the 10k -- the Koraat. This test shave tells me that yes, if I go and finish each razor on the 10k, they should all be a success.
I killed the edge on this razor, which was previously done by @[email protected]. I got 21 shaves out of his edge before abandoning ship. That included some paste stropping for maintenance. Greg's edge was really something -- super skin friendly, and it shaved very close. So you can imagine my curiosity, wondering if I could create a similar edge with my synthetic stones.
The result is very good! The jnat edge from Greg was better as I remember it, but the edge I made today makes me very happy. No aftershave feedback, and smooth as it gets.
Lastly, I played around with an update to the SDS which, when I actually publish it, should excite @[email protected] at least a little bit. I added fields for spine width and blade width (as measured from the hone wear line), and the angle of the edge is calculated for you. The Koraat is 17.13 degrees. Two of my favorites, a Puma 76 and the Rheingold Licht Werk are 15.87 and 16.08, respectively. My Gold Dollar has the largest angle, measuring in at 18.83 degrees.
Really, synthetics give you the ability to create the most refined edge. I have abrasives that go beyond 100K grit. Honestly, though, I don't find the need to refine beyond about 12K. That's a sweet spot of comfort, durability, and keenness in my experience.
I should treat myself to a 12k for Father's Day.
I use the Naniwa Superstone 12k. They sell a thick one, and a thin one that is less expensive. I bought the thin one.
And something you will enjoy as an RC guy. Get some dense balsa and cut it down to about 8x3x0.5. Sand the surface flat and very smooth, then lightly coat with either the green chromium oxide paste (at Maggard), or 0.5 micron diamond paste or CBN paste (Jende). This can be used as a strop to add refinement after the 12k and you can use it at a 15 (ish) shave interval to extend edge.
Very cool!
JeJune SOTD - 2026-06-18
This soap was featured in The Great Spice Off #7 and was Adventus Calendar day 14.
CFG's aftershaves have an impressive amount of menthol, so I whipped out the Zingari Man balm instead of my usual Stirling Glacial balm.
Have a good one.
June 18th, 2026
The Blackbird is definitely an efficient razor. I probably could have stopped at two passes, but I ended up doing my typical three. Great results, no complaints.
Varen++; I wish the soap and splash didn't irritate my face.
June 18, 2026
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was my first use of Nezpique. It is an interesting scent, and one that I will spend a lot more time with. It is subtle and intriguing.
Décadi 30 Prairial an CCXXXIV de la Révolution, jour de Chariot
36° today – and the heatwave will reach its peak on Monday. 🥵
Shaving refreshed me for like 5 minutes. That's better than nothing.
Have a good day!
Shared via emacs & sotd.elJune 18th, 2026
Shave 127 of the brain bowl