Shave of the Day 2014

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Brush: Simpsons Duke 2 (Best)
Soap/Cream: Cella
Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89
Blade: IP Red
After-shave: Razorock Aftershave Wax (Original)

Best shave so far.

First use of the brush so still needs some time to soften to me. The Duke felt so much more right on my face than the Edwin Jagger Super. More body and a little more itch to the face lather. The handle is the right size and shape for working a lather and the density of the knot seems just right - not sure if I could have done chubbier. Very happy with this investment.

Cella is a reliable latherer - though I now know I need to feed the Duke more than I did the Edwin Jagger Super…well certainly until she settles.

So far the IP Reds suit me, with the DE89, better than the Derbys or Astra SP…still have Merkur, Treet, and Wilkinsons in the drawer to try - and a couple of others on the list, very curious about some Gillettes.

The pièce de résistance though was the new Razorock Aftershave Wax (in original scent). Man I thought aftershave nirvana could only be experienced after that penitent sting (no pain, no gain pfft! what bullshit!). This stuff goes on without anger and quickly brought my face total peace. Smooth, soft, quiet…the only sound was that of my skin sipping up the essential oils of Lavender, Coriander, Juniper, Sandalwood, Tangerine, Patchouli, Fir Needle, and Lemon. Oh and the notes of that darn fine scent - not sure if it were a single stand-out or how those oils weaved together but, oh boy, so so sweet and woody!!!…oh yeah and other than the oils you have nothing in it but Orange Blossom Water, Grain Alcohol, Emulsifying Wax and Vegetable Glycerin.

This stuff takes top spot in my aftershave list
 
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Sounds good - almost Italian in its goodness :)
 
stillshunter said:
First use of the brush so still needs some time to soften to me. The Duke felt so much more right on my face than the Edwin Jagger Super. More body and a little more itch to the face lather. The handle is the right size and shape for working a lather and the density of the knot seems just right - not sure if I could have done chubbier. Very happy with this investment.

Cella is a reliable latherer - though I now know I need to feed the Duke more than I did the Edwin Jagger Super…well certainly until she settles.
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I found this true with my Duke too. Very soft, but that slight prickle on the face will ease up over time. I'm pretty sure it's caused by the density of the knot keeping too many fibres so close together. Expect it to open up a little bit, and it will get better at lathering too. Better water retention as the knot spreads, and it'll pick up soap or cream more evenly once it's settled.

I rocked the SE shave yesterday, pulled out the OCMM to prove that I'm still a real man. I only cut myself once, so that's pretty good for that angry thing. New blade, Omega #45 and La Toja stick. This wetshaving nonsense kinda ruins great soaps like La Toja by making them mid-level relative to other products, but really, it's pretty damn good stuff that ticks all the right boxes. If we all got together to burn down the MdC and Penhaligons factories, La Toja would rule the world.
 
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ARKO! Weekend Shave

Aaaaaaaah the scent of citrus filled me with the promise of delicious gin and tonics served by smiling scantly clad waitresses in a five star resort. Or joyously meandering through a orchard full of citrus trees in full blossom. It brought back memories of my grandmother baking lemon drizzle cake as a special treat after a roast dinner on those barmy winter nights.

Anyhow with all those wonderful olfactory distractions I still managed to have a superb shave with this wonderful soap. The lather literally explodes out of the brush and provides excellent cushioning and glide for my vintage 7O'Clock bakelite razor loaded with a vintage Australian made Gillette Super Stainless blade only on it's second outing.
 
Love it @Pjotr - but just wait for the haters to come out mate ....
 
M
stillshunter said:
Really? Why the hate? 'cause its Turkish maybe?
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No. Because it smells like a bad urinal cake.

But seriously, there are so many nice smelling soaps and creams why would you use something that has a real chemical aroma.
 
eggbert said:
No. Because it smells like a bad urinal cake.

But seriously, there are so many nice smelling soaps and creams why would you use something that has a real chemical aroma.
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Funny how one's man scent is another man's stink.

Wonder how these first develop - by association I suspect, like @Pjotr says:
Pjotr said:
Aaaaaaaah the scent of citrus filled me with the promise of delicious gin and tonics served by smiling scantly clad waitresses in a five star resort. Or joyously meandering through a orchard full of citrus trees in full blossom. It brought back memories of my grandmother baking lemon drizzle cake as a special treat after a roast dinner on those barmy winter nights.
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So he associates that strong citrus with G&Ts, pit-stop girls, orchard romping and grandma's lemon-drizzle cake, while someone else associates that same strong citrus smell with the urinal….maybe a bad experience associated with the note of that scent…fronting up next to a co-urinator and not being able to go maybe - standing there, staring to the roof, hoping, wishing, praying and oh God, shake it, and still nothing, nader, zilch, zip…oh c'mon, c'mon, c'mon...the travesty, on the shame, oh that smell…
(btw: this is not having a go at @eggbert, just thinking through the smell psychology is all)

I don't know, but it's very interesting.
 
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stillshunter said:
Really? Why the hate? 'cause its Turkish maybe? Hmmmm….
Such a strong feeling to direct towards a fatty substance you smear on your face.
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Yeah I know. There's nothing like scent to divide opinion. Just in case you didn't already know, it is an excellent lather and many use it as their go to standard el-cheapo soap. It's certainly not overpowering and doesn't linger too much either but I guess if you dislike it you'll notice it much longer.

The problem of course is that citrus scent is used by many cheap cleaning and disinfectant products so it's a urinal cake slam dunk for those that dislike it.
 
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Pjotr said:
Yeah I know. There's nothing like scent to divide opinion. Just in case you didn't already know, it is an excellent lather and many use it as their go to standard el-cheapo soap. It's certainly not overpowering and doesn't linger too much either but I guess if you dislike it you'll notice it much longer.
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So how does it compare to Cella?
 
stillshunter said:
So how does it compare to Cella?
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Both produce excellent lather, are tallow based and are as cheap as chips. ARKO! is a harder soap although softer than your standard puck. I've just always detested the sickly sweet scent of marzipan. Not a big fan of menthol either. Not the scent so much as the eye watering irritation. While we're talking scent I won't try and put you off Valobra because you just might like the smell of wet dog, flea pit motel soap or the morning after damp pub carpet stench. Unfortunately it's one of the best lathers out there.
 
Pjotr said:
While we're talking scent I won't try and put you off Valobra because you just might like the smell of wet dog, flea pit motel soap or the morning after damp pub carpet stench. Unfortunately it's one of the best lathers out there.
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Hmmm, well I suppose the good lather comes from the high tallow content - now you need a fair swag of parfum to obfuscate the rendered form of animal fat, processed from suet. I assume pure suet's scent is reminiscent of wet dog, flea pit motel soap or the morning after damp pub carpet stench. Nice descriptors BTW - vivid and to the point. Oh I know that smell so well!
 
When you are as fresh as PJ menthol is a backwards step!

Most of my preferred soaps seem to be tallow based. Not a conscious choice but just what has seemed to work for me best. I'm sure there are some good veggie soaps out there
 
SmallYetDeadly said:
When you are as fresh as PJ menthol is a backwards step!...
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You're a gent SYD.

SmallYetDeadly said:
........Most of my preferred soaps seem to be tallow based. Not a conscious choice but just what has seemed to work for me best. I'm sure there are some good veggie soaps out there
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Same here. I must give an honourable veggie mention to La Toja.
 
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Brush: vintage butterscotch Simpson
Soap/Cream: Mike's Shaving Soap - Hungarian Lavender
Razor: Eclipse Red Ring
Blade: vintage Wilk - day ???? +3
After-shave: SIM balm

The Mike's Shaving Soap range is great. I'm not a fan of the smell of this one but I got it used with a new unused Barber Shop. Really easy to lather and great results.

SIM balm is nice too on a cool winter, sorry, autumn morning!
 
Ingram's menthol cream - trying to castch PJ in the freshness stakes!
Simmo 10
Slim (6,6,4)
Schpoiler (?)
Alum
ASB

No soap loading dramas for the Simpson with a glob of Ingrams straight up it's clacker. Oodles of lather. Feelin' fresh :cool:
 
Pjotr said:
ARKO! Weekend Shave

Aaaaaaaah the scent of citrus filled me with the promise of delicious gin and tonics served by smiling scantly clad waitresses in a five star resort.
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ARKO? More like 50 year old skimpys at a run down pub out the back of Kalgoorlie.
 
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