Monday SOTD Thread - September 16th, 2024 (#463)

Mam Mon 16 Sep 2024

• Brush: Semogue Owner's Club (cherry wood and boar) (47)
• Razor: Zwilling J. A. Henckels Friodur 17 (NOS, 7/8", hollow ground, stainless steel)
• Lather: Chicago Grooming Co. / House of Mammoth – Armonía
• Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. / House of Mammoth – Armonía
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co – Varen

Wonderful Armonía shave tonight. Great scent and slick base, what's not to love‽

September 16, 2024

• Brush: AP Shave Co. - 24mm Synbad Fan
• Razor 1: Baili BR171
• Razor 2: Baili BR171
• Blade 1: Bolzano Superinox (Egypt) (3)
• Blade 2: Lord Platinum (Egypt) (1)
• Lather: London Razors/Summer Break Soaps - Mountain Laurel - Soap
• Post Shave: Brut - Splash On

Yesterday I posted a comparison between old and new Bolzano blades (Germany and Egypt, respectively).

Today I decided I'd compare the new Egyptian Bolzano to a Lord Platinum. Why? Because they're both made in Egypt, I like the Bolzano's from Egypt, and I remember liking Lord Platinum. So obviously they're maybe the same blade.

Well, I think I was way off. They felt a lot different. There's a problem, though -- I wasn't scientific with it, and the Lord is on the 1st use, and the Bolzano on its 3rd. It's possible the Lord hasn't had a chance for any excess coatings to flake off, making the comparison a real waste of time.

Both blades were great, but the Bolzano cut through the whiskers easier, and the end result is a tad closer (but maybe too close to call). Both were very smooth and irritation free.

Will I redo this comparison using blades with an equal number of shaves? Probably not.

P.S. - I noticed that Lord blades (asside from Asco branded) aren't sold by razorbladesclub.com anymoreJust kidding, they are. I also noticed that Bolzanos are only $18/100 there, less than half the price of other vendors.

Sep 16, 2024 - Embrace Trifecta

• Brush: Declaration Grooming Magic Hour 28mm B8 Badger Knot
• Razor: Blackland Razors Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Gillette Platinum [8]
• Lather: House of Mammoth - Embrace - Soap
• Post Shave: House of Mammoth - Embrace - Splash
• Fragrance: House of Mammoth - Embrace - Eau de Parfum

Embrace is what I needed this morning.

Rating: 4.5/5

September 16, 2024

• Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar

• Razor: Dovo Bismarck 6/8" Full Hollow Round Point

• Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Soap

• Toner: Thayers - Lavender - Toner

• Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Aftershave

• Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Eau de Toilette

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

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Roman Spice is such a refreshing scent! It doesn't linger long in the soap or aftershave, so I think the EdT is worth having.

This razor has a combination Black Arkansas/Mikawa Asano Nagura edge. It is beautifully sharp with its own subtle feel. Very fun shave today!

16.09.2024 - Barberwood head shave

• Prep: warm water
• Brush: RazoRock 400 Noir SE 24 mm
• Razor: Leaf Thorn
• Blade: snapped BIC Chrome Platinum
• Lather: HAGS - Barberwood
• Post-Shave: HAGS - Barberwood AS toner

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-> 2 pass head shave. Rushed, but good.

Only had time for a quick head shave today, but wanted to try the final one of my new soaps - Barberwood, a spicy barbershop scent. Did 2 quick passes to get a good first impression.

Honestly, the Thorn and most SE razors are way nicer for me personally when it comes to shaving my head because due to the stiffer blades/tighter hold of a blade I can replicate the long strokes I used to do with cartridge razors. 2 passes went almost as quick as one with a DE.

Barberwood is my first experience with HAGS Osiris base (again, the amount of bases that they produce is too damn high!). Unfortunately, due to being in a bit of a rush I had no time to dial it in properly and the lather was slightly too dry today as a result. Hmm, live and learn - now I know that it's thirsty and will respect that next time.

As for the scent, it's a typical powdery barbershop with no freshness and a little twist in the form of an almost dark, spicy vanilla-like note to it. I guess those are supposed to be the woody elements. Performance wise, I don't want to judge too much as the lather was subpar as mentioned before. But it was still comfortable to shave with. In terms of skin health, thumbs up - no skin reactions, no burn, feels pretty good. Further uses will show how good it really is, but the HAGS AS toner already gets an A+ from me - a little goes a long way and it just feels great when applied. Plus the scent is amplified even more with it.

Like I said, I'll need further shaves to evaluate it but I'm looking forward to them. So far, it reminds me of CFG Ghost Town Barber, my favourite barbershop soap so far (very much a good thing!)