2016-09-09_08-16-56 by tvrepairzone, on FlickrThanks sir
Nah I chucked the iKon OSS handle on the Rockwell #4. The standard rockwell handle is a little shorter and find it better suited to the X3, where the larger handle I like the heft with the heavier head of the rockwell. 
Oh yes...
I like the look of that brush.
Pre: Occams Original Pre Shave Soap
Brush: St James of London 28mm ST
Razor: ATT R1
Blade: Feather
Soap: The Stray Whisker - #2
After:Balm
So a few thoughts on @shavetheman and his #2 that has been trialled by a few of us. I received my sample unsolicited in the post with an order I placed for some other consumables. I have used italics on the word unsolicited for effect and for no other reason. I was initially hesitant to sacrifice my weekend shave on a sample, but after opening the container and feeling the consistency of the soap itself my doubts were allayed. I have seen and felt enough soaps to know when the composition is going to make the grade in so far as it will make a' shaveable' lather of the standard I require of my soaps. Very briefly, the chap from Crown/PAA has a historical record of arguably deficient behaviours, in fact my thoughts on the man would readily stray into the realm of injurious falsehood and or defamation so I won't stray from my review other than to say that in my opinion he makes excellent splashes, I have never used his soaps.
Pre-Load
I preloaded half of the sample provided to me, around an almonds worth of the cream which shares the same consistency of Stirling Soaps and many others, always a good sign. I placed the sum of cream in the bottom of my Simpsons shave mug as per my usual routine, with a damp brush and a few drops of water set to making a thick, sticky cream to which I then add more water as I develop a lather over 2 minutes. Aside from loading from the tub, I made my lather in exactly the same way I have done so for the past 20 years. Works every time unless the soap is complete rubbish.
Scent
The scent from #2 is quite busy, a got a slight almond, floral vetiver and powdery accord that was quite pleasant if a little subdued. I am sensing that this is a soap of daily utility, not a top shelf artisan product with price to match but rather a 'Daily Driver' - in fact that's what I would call it if I were to name it. I sense it working very well with After Balm and sharing a similar scent profile. In a few words: Pleasant, unobtrusive, fresh.
Lather
Effortless to lather, a very, very easy soap to work with that beginners should have little trouble with.
Performance
Not a great deal to say here, this soap performs and performs well. Plenty of cushion, slickness and glide that is accompanied by a pleasing scent, I produced enough lather for a very generous 2 pass shave, I could have easily done 3 passes with some to spare. In this regard #2 stands up alongside comparable soaps on the market that I regularly use. The determining factor will be the eventual price point on the product in the tub. Post shave was great, plenty of moisture on the face and a nice post shave feel that did not stand out, but also did not disappoint. I finished up with some After Balm as I do on most days and the compliment was self evident, the two products fit together like lock and key.
Summary
My overall feeling on this #2 is that this is a general all rounder, I don't see it pitched as another artisan product with exotic ingredients and price to boot but rather as a soap with a nice price point that can be used day in and day out for those who want to shave with a quality product and who are not particular about certain facets of their soap. It has a pleasing, unobtrusive scent that does not jump out at you and in my mind fits a fairly middle of the road profile. The soap itself is a 'doddle' to lather, I am sure it will be popular with beginners or those struggling to make a decent lather - the soap itself lends itself to pre-loading being semi-soft and has a uniform consistency.
As I see it, we have a soap here that is a 'Daily Driver' much like B+M's 'Latha' range or other lower price point soaps that perform well. I will pick up a tub when it hits the market for those days when I feel like a change.
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I give this soap 7 razors out of 10.
Lovely shave and thorough review. [emoji106]
Pre: Occams Original Pre Shave Soap
Brush: St James of London 28mm ST
Razor: ATT R1
Blade: Feather
Soap: The Stray Whisker - #2
After:Balm
So a few thoughts on @shavetheman and his #2 that has been trialled by a few of us. I received my sample unsolicited in the post with an order I placed for some other consumables. I have used italics on the word unsolicited for effect and for no other reason. I was initially hesitant to sacrifice my weekend shave on a sample, but after opening the container and feeling the consistency of the soap itself my doubts were allayed. I have seen and felt enough soaps to know when the composition is going to make the grade in so far as it will make a' shaveable' lather of the standard I require of my soaps. Very briefly, the chap from Crown/PAA has a historical record of arguably deficient behaviours, in fact my thoughts on the man would readily stray into the realm of injurious falsehood and or defamation so I won't stray from my review other than to say that in my opinion he makes excellent splashes, I have never used his soaps.
Pre-Load
I preloaded half of the sample provided to me, around an almonds worth of the cream which shares the same consistency of Stirling Soaps and many others, always a good sign. I placed the sum of cream in the bottom of my Simpsons shave mug as per my usual routine, with a damp brush and a few drops of water set to making a thick, sticky cream to which I then add more water as I develop a lather over 2 minutes. Aside from loading from the tub, I made my lather in exactly the same way I have done so for the past 20 years. Works every time unless the soap is complete rubbish.
Scent
The scent from #2 is quite busy, a got a slight almond, floral vetiver and powdery accord that was quite pleasant if a little subdued. I am sensing that this is a soap of daily utility, not a top shelf artisan product with price to match but rather a 'Daily Driver' - in fact that's what I would call it if I were to name it. I sense it working very well with After Balm and sharing a similar scent profile. In a few words: Pleasant, unobtrusive, fresh.
Lather
Effortless to lather, a very, very easy soap to work with that beginners should have little trouble with.
Performance
Not a great deal to say here, this soap performs and performs well. Plenty of cushion, slickness and glide that is accompanied by a pleasing scent, I produced enough lather for a very generous 2 pass shave, I could have easily done 3 passes with some to spare. In this regard #2 stands up alongside comparable soaps on the market that I regularly use. The determining factor will be the eventual price point on the product in the tub. Post shave was great, plenty of moisture on the face and a nice post shave feel that did not stand out, but also did not disappoint. I finished up with some After Balm as I do on most days and the compliment was self evident, the two products fit together like lock and key.
Summary
My overall feeling on this #2 is that this is a general all rounder, I don't see it pitched as another artisan product with exotic ingredients and price to boot but rather as a soap with a nice price point that can be used day in and day out for those who want to shave with a quality product and who are not particular about certain facets of their soap. It has a pleasing, unobtrusive scent that does not jump out at you and in my mind fits a fairly middle of the road profile. The soap itself is a 'doddle' to lather, I am sure it will be popular with beginners or those struggling to make a decent lather - the soap itself lends itself to pre-loading being semi-soft and has a uniform consistency.
As I see it, we have a soap here that is a 'Daily Driver' much like B+M's 'Latha' range or other lower price point soaps that perform well. I will pick up a tub when it hits the market for those days when I feel like a change.
[}------ [}------ [}------ [}------ [}------ [}------ [}------
I give this soap 7 razors out of 10.
Thanks mate.
It is a St James of London 28mm Silvertip via @shavetheman. They are made by Simpsons for SJOL, and are bloody good value at $202, they also do a 24mm for $155 or thereabouts. Not a rare brush, not limited or anything but a bloody good brush which will last for years.
I bought it because @Mark1966 won't sell me one of his prized butterscotch brushes with a handle I can bore out to 28mm and get reknotted by Simpson
Don't need one now
Hey - Happy shaving
