December 9, 2025 -- Thé for Tuesday

• Brush: Chisel & Hound Classic 26mm V23 Fanchurian
• Razor: Ever Ready Streamline
• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (3)
• Lather: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
• Aftershave: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Noble Otter - Thé Noir et Vanille - Eau de Parfum
• Talc: Yardley Gold

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Today's shave was a full-on luxury shave that seemed only fitting for this Streamline razor. Wow! This thing is gorgeous! Thanks very much to @[email protected] for letting me try his. Now I want one. There is a ton of blade feel with this razor and I found myself treating it in exactly the same way that I treat a straight. This approach paid off and I got a very comfortable, close, shave.

The greatness of TNeV is already well known. There's little I can add, other than the EdP comes across as a little more nuanced than the soap and splash, as you might expect.

June 18, 2023

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts with Declaration Grooming B10
• Razor: Gillette Super Speed Y4
• Blade: Gillette Nacet (1)
• Lather: 345 Soaps - Undercut - Soap
• Post Shave: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Post Shave: 345 Soaps - Undercut - Aftershave

3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

My typical setup for a F1 race day. Wonderful shave.

November 26, 2025 — BVWSC

• Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
• Razor: J.A. Henckels Friodur 472 13/16" Full Hollow Square Point
• Lather: Fanzine Saponifications - Caravaggio - Soap
• Aftershave: Noble Otter - Monarch - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

This is November's Buena Vista Wetshaving Social Club day and my first try of a Fanzine Saponifications soap; our soap choice this month. For me, the scent strength was mild but that may be due to it being a smush. That's not a criticism, though. I picked up the leather and a touch of vetiver and black pepper. The soap base is just fine and worked well in my travel bowl lathering method. I listened to the u/raymoonie's interview of u/TheStallionPartThree. Kudos to the Stallion for his efforts. Thanks, also, to @[email protected] for the smush and all he does.

June 16, 2023

• Brush: Wald Nimbus Bloodline 27mm J3
• Razor: Filarmonica 14 Doble Temple Gen 1 (Straight Shave 255)
• Lather: Gentleman's Nod - Zaharoff Signature Rosé - Soap
• Post Shave: Thayers - Rose - Toner
• Post Shave: Gentleman's Nod - Zaharoff Signature Rosé - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Zaharoff - Signature Rosé - Eau de Parfum

3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I really need to add a category of Most Excellent for those times that I use this razor.

Yesterday, the Fili 14 returned from its visit to @[email protected] . Naturally, I wanted to use it today. I viewed the edge under the microscope and was surprised at how good it looked, but I checked my records and this razor's last edge refresh was in Feb. I figured that with both of us using the razor, it was probably time for another edge refresh. So, last night I did that; using synthetic stones and my current bag of finishing tricks.

The shave was amazing! Everything you hear and read about the Fili 14 Gen 1 is true. I was really done after the second pass, but the edge feel was just so good, I decided on a third pass and was awarded an ultra-comfortable DS-BBS result.

The Gentleman's Nod soap base is interesting. I know not to load this one too heavily and loaded lightly with the Wald badger. You would never believe that the amount I loaded would be enough to satisfy three passes, but it was. This base takes an amazing amount of hydration and even when almost to the point of dripping feels a little pasty. Quite different than the silkiness of MSC, Zingari Man, or Spearhead's Highland, and not the same richness as Omnibus, or as Wholly Kaw's new Crème Fraîche. But it works. It's very slick but does not have extraordinary residual slickness.

The Zaharoff scent is awesome. There's rose in there, but there's spicyness and woody stuff as well (don't know the actual scent notes offhand). This made the whole shave a luxurious experience.

November 17, 2024

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar

• Blade Holder: GEM Damaskeene CC (1912-1920)

• Blade: Personna Gem PTFE (8)

• Lather: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Soap

• Aftershave: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Chiseled Face - Midnight Stag - Eau de Parfum

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I'm takin' a ride with my Staaaag … There's really nothing like the Midnight Stag trifecta to start your day. I was getting some odd glances in the store while shopping for junk food for the Sunday afternoon games, but I felt more accepted by the forest wildlife on my morning hike.

@[email protected] is doing a run through all 14 generations of GEM razors. I only have 3 of them. This Damaskeene happens to be one that he doesn't have. I have the MMOC Gen2 and Flying Wing also. The EldrormR Industries MM24 that I own is still in production and doesn't factor into the 14 generations.

If I weren't so deep into the straight razor side of this hobby, I would collect more examples of these GEM razors. The design and execution of them is very well done, and the ones I have tried have been great shavers.

June 13, 2023

• Brush: Wild West Brushworks Blue Space 26mm Cashmere

• Razor: Dovo Facharbeit 6/8" Full Hollow Square Point (Straight Shave 252)

• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn - Soap

• Post Shave: Thayers - Rose - Toner

• Post Shave: Zingari Man - Unscented - Balm

• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn - Eau de Toilette  

3 passes. Bowl lather. Excellent shave.

I'm really enjoying 3-pass shaves again. Three quick passes takes only a little longer than two more deliberate passes and I enjoy the experience more.

Marilyn is stunning. Pun intended.

March 1, 2025

• Brush: Chisel & Hound Classic 26mm V23 Fanchurian

• Blade Holder: Karve Overlander Brass

• Blade: Gillette Platinum (4)

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Leather - Soap

• Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Leather - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Simple straight forward shave today. Totally enjoyed Seaforth! Leather.

June 19, 2023

• Brush: Dogwood Handcrafts with Declaration Grooming B10
• Razor: C.V. Heljestrand MK 31 11/16 Full Hollow (Straight Shave 256)
• Lather: Noble Otter - Jack - Soap
• Post Shave: Thayers - Lavender - Toner
• Post Shave: Noble Otter - Jack - Aftershave

3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

NO Jack arrived on Saturday. Until now, I have only owned one other NO soap (Monoi de Tahiti), and based on that, I knew I wanted more. I've been eyeing Plunder but I feel I'll use that more in the fall and Winter.

When Jack was announced, I thought it might be a great fit for spring and summer. And, in my view it is. The scent strength and the scent are light, but the overall effect comes across to me like my Saponificio Varesino products. Sophisticated and complex. I like that a lot. This is the type of soap I could use for days and not get tired of. The soap base is great. I think that's a given.

This Heljestrand just returned from overseas. These MK 31 models are small, light, and nimble, and you have to adjust your technique for that. They're incredible shavers, though. I couldn't help but do (yet) another 3-pass shave.

November 27, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
• Razor: J.A. Henckels Friodur 472 13/16" Full Hollow Square Point
• Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Druantia - Soap
• Aftershave: Noble Otter - Monarch - Aftershave

2 passes. Bowl lather. Excellent shave.

Druantia is woodsy. I'll be outside most of the day in the crisp Massachusetts weather, so this was a perfect scent choice, imo. Today is the Thanksgiving holiday here in the states. While the history of this day is a little complicated, I look upon it as another opportunity to show some gratitude.

Excellent photo!

I really enjoy fougère scents. So sad that this is unobtainium.

July 27, 2024

• Brush: AP Shave Co Summer 28mm G5C
• Blade Holder: Gillette Slim Aristocrat H4 (setting: 7)
• Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless (4)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Lavender - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I'm headed on travel for a couple of days. Seville was a nice way to start the trip.

Relating to last month's vote, I sent smushes to:
@[email protected]
@[email protected]
@[email protected]
@[email protected]
@[email protected]
@[email protected]

This was the list of voters that came up on rankedchoices.com when I looked at it. I voted last month but did not show up on the list. I'm not sure that a letter will reach someone outside the US between now and Jan 15, but if you think you should receive a smush of Los Jabones de Joserra Noir for BVWSC, let me know, and I will send you one.

April 2, 2025

• Brush: Wald Stratos Goldvein 29mm A1 Fan

• Razor: Dubl Duck 5/8" Full Hollow

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Soap

• Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Black Watch - Eau de Toilette

2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.

Comfortable shave, but not particularly close. Still trying to dial in a coticule edge on this razor.

January 15, 2025 -- Buena Vista Wetshaving Social Club

• Brush: Wald Stratos Goldvein 29mm A1 Fan

• Razor: Thiers Issard Le Transatlantic 7/8" Full Hollow Round Point

• Lather: Los Jabones de Joserra - Noir - Soap

• Aftershave: Noble Otter - Cerberus - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I think Jose Martinez (the proprietor of LJdJ) is a bit of an artist. The soap base for Noir is:

sebum, shea butter, coconut butter, camellia oil, castor oil, lanolin, glycerin, activated charcoal and green clay

The color of the soap is a dark gray. I'd guess this is due to the charcoal. The base, itself, is rich creamy and dense. It takes water very well, but don't expect a lot of fluffy volume. The skin feel is fantastic IMHO.

The soap has a very interesting scent. Maybe not an everyday scent, but certainly something I will go back to often. Here are the scent notes:

cypress, vetiver, frankincense and musk

The blend is such that you get a hint of each note but not one stands out. Though not a complex fragrance, I think it is well blended and unique.

Ethos Grooming Essentials - Dragonsbeard

The Dragonsbeard Aroma Blend is a dark, somewhat gourmand scent perfect for a fall or winter day or night. It combines Authentic Agarwood Oil and Oud Resin with essential oils of East Indian Sandalwood, Amber, Tonka Bean Butter, Madagascar Vanilla Bean Infusion Oil, and White Rose Absolute.

Dave, this is just not a big deal. Please don't let it add to the stress you already feel. We're just a bunch of guys talking about shaving after all. There are far more important things ... OK, there aren't, but you get my point ;-)

September 22, 2025

• Brush: Grizzly Bay Shire 26mm V18 Fanchurian
• Razor: Portland Razor Co. The Gryphon 13/16 Wedge Barber's Notch
• Razor: Portland Razor Co. 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Aftershave: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Splash

3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

This was a test shave of these two Portland Razor Co. razors. It was one of those days that everything came together for a great shaving experience.

Shave Video

November 8, 2024

• Brush: AP Shave Co Summer 28mm G5C

• Blade Holder: Smart Helix Apollo (setting: 0.5mm gap)

• Blade: Personna Lab Blue (2)

• Lather: Zingari Man - Mousse Illuminée - Soap

• Aftershave: Zingari Man - Mousse Illuminee - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Floris of London - Elite - Eau de Toilette

• Talc: Yardley Gold
   
  2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Mousse Illuminée is a great way to start the day, and luckily I have a second luxury shave coming later.

November 23, 2024

• Brush: Elite Razor Neo-resinate 26mm Mother Lode

• Blade Holder: Gillette Super Adjustable 109 (Black Beauty) Gold O-4

• Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (11)

• Lather: Ethos Grooming Essentials - Dragonsbeard - Soap

• Aftershave: Ethos Grooming Essentials - Dragonsbeard Skin Food - Splash

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I was in a mood for Oud, so I pulled out the Dragonsbeard. A couple of years ago, I was so enchanted by this scent that I found myself alternating between it and BaM Leviathan. I finished my tub of Leviathan and have not purchased another so I could use the rest of my soaps.

Dragonsbeard doesn't show up much around here. These are the scent notes:

Agarwood Oil and Oud Resin with essential oils of East Indian Sandalwood, Amber, Tonka Bean Butter, Madagascar Vanilla Bean Infusion Oil, and White Rose Absolute

May 10, 2024

• Brush: Chisel & Hound Lost Nativ 26mm Fanchurian V13

• Razor: Thiers Issard Évidé Sonnant 6/8" Extra Hollow

• Lather: Zingari Man - Mousse Illuminée - Soap

• Toner: Thayers - Lemon - Toner

• Aftershave: Zingari Man - Mousse Illuminee - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.