Exactly what Ajax said. You get a closer shave, there’s a little more work involved and your skin feels fucking amazing after a good wet shave and aftershave combo.

Preface: I wrote this post a few years ago at Badger and Blade, but it's still 100% true. BTW, Electrics freakin sucked for me. They tug the hairs, and I couldn't get a good shave. AWFUL. That said, I'm a slavic gorilla, so maybe, I need sharp blades and good prep to get a comfortable shave.


From '94 to '06, I used a Gillette Sensor, then some Gillette Good News Disposables. (during the '97-'99 era, I used a braun 3 rotor electric) Around '05, I started noticing the gillette disposable blade quality going down. (they moved production to Mexico, I think).

In 2006, I was a stupid kid right out of college, so I was hungover a bit too often. My shaving cream smelled like deodorant, which made me want to hurl.

THEN......I read that fateful Corey Greenburg article that converted a number of people.

It said, why do you want your face to smell like deodorant when it can smell like English Violet? Then, it said, something like, "your Grandfather used a razor like John Wayne and JFK. Newer doesn't mean better."

I immediately ordered a Merkur 23C, some Classic soaps, a Vulfix badger brush. Then, I went to Target and bought all of the Proraso stuff. (back when Target! carried Proraso).

Changed my life. I never went back.

FWIW, here's the article. Dated by now, but still interesting. It sure made a BIG impression on me.

https://www.today.com/style/how-get-per ... 2D80554959

^^^ Great article, Geno - thanks for posting!!! ^^^



Just bought a puck of Otoko Organics shave soap.
It was briefly all the rage on B&B around 2013 or 14. It's made in Australia and after buying one, the person who made it decided he didn't want to ship to the USA anymore.
He sold a batch to a fellow in the UK but, he too didn't want to ship to the US.
Last Friday, on a lark, I did a Google search and low-and-behold, Amazon is now selling it!!! Yay!!!
It's got a really nice smell, kind of berry-like but not exactly. Great stuff!!!
The Amazon pages says it has a pear scent... it DOES NOT smell like pear at all... unless an Asian pear smells like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Otoko-Organics-W ... B086TXJ3HF

Not my pic...

My Wife actually got me a razor for our anniversary. Timeless Bronze .38. I will definitely use it, even though I swore off this razor multiple times. I actually gave one to my bro back in September

Either way, this razor has good mojo since it was a gift. I used it this morning, and it was great. I'm actually considering a custom brass tibam handle for it. The stock one is SOOO heavy.

Gave the Lupo a break after about two straight months of use.... it's the best!
Decided to try the Charcoal Goods Everyday... it's a bit more agro than the Lupo, but in a good way.
Myrsol Mint is great and the scent dissipates quickly so, you don't have to worry about bothering sensitive noses.
Fufluns is one of the best. If you like badger, the Rooney is excellent.
9/10

The everyday is interesting. I agree it feels blade forward even though Brian claims it has neutral blade exposure.

I love aylm. And myrsol.

Compared to the Barbedeaux razor you sent me, the Everyday feels mild!!!

Only tried the Don Miguel and Formula K.... just found out Maggards sells Myrsol a/s samples -and- their on sale.
Just ordered a bunch WOOO HOOO!!!
https://maggardrazors.com/products/myrs ... 3720262834

Speaking of the Barbedeaux razor....
Man, this fucker is agro, even with an Astra!!
Love Midnight Dreary just as much as Bay Rum.
10/10

SOTD



Pretty standard fare for me at this point. Felt great.

I have a Merkur 23C coming in tomorrow. I dig my Bevel, but want some more grip.

Two shaves in, I dig the merk

Nice! The 23c is solid. not finnicky.



Great shave today. This is my Black Friday Tatara Nodachi head on a Tibam Bobcat. Great shave. Rose' goes great with Noir. These gentleman's nod Zaharoff prodcuts are very high quality.

10/10

Barbedeaux after shave is the shitz!!!! Thanks Geno for the recommendation. It does smell like rocket fuel but man, it makes your face feel soooo much better than any other aftershave.
Since it smells like rocket fuel, I gave it a coat of 42 with a final layer of Pre de Provence Bergamot & Thyme for the win!!!
The Barbedeaux razor is fucking dangerous!!!
PdP soap is OK.
Vie Long horshair... meh.... boar for life!!!!
9/10 because I was lazy.

Dude, MacDuff soap is AWESOME. I had a great shave. It made an awesome, thick lather. The scent is very original. It was protective, even with a Fatip Open Comb. I'm elated. Loved this shave. I love opuntia too. Just bought more barbedeaux. It's on sale for like $12 a bottle at the barbedeaux homepage.

10/10

My wife hates Razorock Stallion now. It hurt my feelings and made me feel small. I took it very personally. Now I have to throw it away and leave my family.

My g/f doesn't like bay rum... I know those feelz.

All Plague Doctor tonight, and the end of the Super Platinum blade. I swap it out for the next shave. It felt good, as I hadn’t shaven in a few days.

Plague Doctor has the coolest label !!!

primeholy inspired me to break out the Merkur 180.
THE CULT OF UNCLE WALTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10/10

What up, Unc?

He’s flown from South Africa to countries where they beat themselves on the backs with chains.

Let the power of Uncle Walter flow through you!!!

Being a Bay Rum fan, I was stoked to hear that a Dune inspired aftershave was being made.
With the story revolving around spice and with a name like "Mélange", we knew it was going be in the Bay Rum or Adagio family.
What I didn't expects, was how insanely strong it turned out to be! FUCKING YIKES!!!

Not being the type to throw anything away without trying to fix them first, I mixed one batch of Mélange 50/50 with Tito's Vodka (in the Mélange bottle on the left) and 50/50 with Rhum Barbancourt (bottle on the right).

The rum only added another scent to the already overwhelming mix.... I don't recommend using rum.
Vodka works best.... it's still insanely spicy smelling however, cut with vodka, it isn't as nasty.
I'm thinking about cutting it further with some lime a/s.

Goatse dune.

I don't remember the worms being so Goatse-esque in the David Lynch version.

The lube dripping out is a nice touch.

Goatsie!!!

I really dig the David Lynch version; the casting, acting and cinematography were excellent.
Still haven't seen the new version... going to have to wait for the g/f to visit her sister... she hates sci-fi.