SOTD – SUN 20FEB 2022
A shave featuring the new Homelike AL Baikal V2 razor. The Baikal is made of D16Т grade Aluminium (high strength, high corrosion resistance) and has a Satin industrial type finish, comes with two plates giving 4 aggression/efficiency levels. Baikal V2 is definitely inspired by the Rockwell 6 (or visa versa) but is not a copy as it has some different design features: no blade overhang; thicker base plate; accurate horizontal blade alignment pins; small blade reveal; secure blade pinch point design. The aggression/efficiency levels do not match the Rockwell levels, they are larger blade gaps and bigger spread between plates but still has the neutral blade exposure throughout. By my visual comparison of the blade gaps:Baikal #1 is like Rockwell #2.5; Baikal #2 is like Rockwell #4; Baikal #3 is like Rockwell #6; Baikal #4 is like Rockwell #8.
Shave VIDEO
Shave Result: Made a lovely rich lather from the Valobra Menthol soap (this month’s featured soap), performance is excellent and scent is a light very pleasant fresh lightly Mentholated Barbershop aroma. Based on my previous visual gap assessment I started the Baikal on plate #2 and shave felt mild, smooth and efficiency similar to Rockwell on plate #4, it was a real pleasure to shave with, overall a wonderful DFS (near BBS).
THE GEAR:
+ Pre Shave: Verde Glycerine Activated Charcoal bar soap (A)
+ Brush: ShaveXDave “Bluey Boar” with Yaqi 26mm HD Boar (A)
+ Soap: Valobra Menthol
+ Bowl: Whispers from the Woods (A)
+ Razor: HomeLike AL Baikal on plate #2
+ Blade: Wizamet Iridium (2)
+ Splash: TN Dickinsons Witch Hazel with menthol
+ Balm: Lucky Tiger Vanishing Cream
+ After Shave: Blue Stratos AS (A)
+ Moisturiser: Sukin for Men Facial Moisturiser (A)
(A) = Australian Made