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  • November 18, 2023

    I went back to my Koraat, and I got a smooth and close shave, even for the spot on the right side of the chin where I'm generally struggling to get a close shave. Unfortunately I massacred a pimple, and some blood was shed.

    I seem to get noseblind to Ishtar. There's not the excitement there anymore I had in the beginning - and that started when I had to change the container. Not sure what's going on here.

    Have a good day!

  • AutoStropped

    • Brush: Chisel and Hound Ambrosia Maple with 26 mm synthetic Maggard knot
    • Razor: Valet AutoStrop VC1 (1922-1929?)
    • Blade: Feather FHS-10
    • Lather: Noble Otter ThĆ© Noir et Vanille
    • Aftershave: Noble Otter ThĆ© Noir et Vanille
    • Fragrance: Imaginary Authors Saint Julep

    Shout-out to u/Marquis90, the mind behind ThƩ No(ir et vanille)V(alet Autostrop)ember. I can finally join for a shave.

    This is my first run with this pretty Valet AutoStrop VC1, and my first time using any AutoStrop, or other razor using the FHS-10 blade format. (Mail call) I love the clever and simple design of the stropping mechanism, although it's not useful anymore with coated blades. (I have the same mechanism on my Wilkinson Sword razor with permanent blades, too, so I get to enjoy it there)

    I struggled a bit with finding the right angle initially, and at first the razor felt mild with little to no blade feel, but once I found the angle, it quickly felt more natural. The audible feedback is much less intense than on GEM razors, closer to what I'm used to from injectors.

    I chased BBS, and wasn't punished for it, so I'm thinking this VC1 and I are going to get along well.

    TN&V++

  • November 18, 2023

    • Brush: Wild West Brushworks Deep Pearl 26mm Sweet Spot Badger
    • Razor: Koraat 6/8" Full Hollow
    • Lather: Elysian Soap Shop - Olympus - Soap
    • Post Shave: Elysian Soap Shop - Olympus - Aftershave
    • Post Shave: Thayers - Rose - Toner
    • Fragrance: Elysian Soap Shop - Olympus - Eau de Parfum
    • Talc: Pinaud Clubman
       

    Everything about this setup is very pleasant. I like the soap base and I like the scent. And there's nothing standout or distinctive with either. For me, the marketing from Elysian Soaps makes me expect much more. I hope someone else can weigh in with their experience with this soap maker.

    Great shave this morning. Enjoy your weekend!

    • Lovely setup.

      I've tried one Elysian soap before, and while the base and scent were good, the scent strength left a lot to be desired. How is the strength of Olympus?

      • The scent strength is just below medium; more European than American. And the blend of notes (there are a lot of them) is such that it is hard to pick out top, middle, and base. This is similar to SV, however the SV scents (I've tried 5) seem more distinctive.

  • Three Scots, but which ones?

    • Brush: Chisel and Hound Ambrosia Maple with 26 mm synthetic Maggard knot
    • Razor: Valet AutoStrop VC1 (1922-1929?)
    • Blade: Feather FHS-10
    • Lather: Spearhead Shaving Company Seaforth! Black Watch
    • Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company Seaforth! Spiced
    • Fragrance: Spearhead Shaving Company 3 Scots

    I know that Black Watch and 3 Scots were developed based on the same prompt (backstory), but 3 Scots bears a striking resemblance to Spiced rather than Black Watch. It's like a fresher version of Spiced without the Vanilla to me (Mandarin + Spices). Either way, it seems like u/hawns and u/Ironbeard_Sys collaborating can do no wrong, and all six scents they've published are right down my alley.

    I can tell I'm going to enjoy matching 3 Scots with different soaps and post shaves going forward.

    The Valet AutoStrop is treating me well, especially for a new-to-me razor. Good shave.

  • November 18, 2023

    • Brush: Elite Razor Honduran Rosewood Burl 24mm HMW Fan
    • Razor: Gillette Tech English Flat Bottom
    • Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock SharpEdge (Yellow) (1)
    • Lather: Declaration Grooming - Cerberus - Soap
    • Post Shave: Noble Otter - Cerberus - Aftershave
    • Post Shave: Thayers - Lemon - Toner

    This is my kind of DE razor. I can feel what is happening with the blade at all times. Great shave!

    And ā€¦ Cerberus! Love it! All I can say is that I need to buy the EdP.

    • Cerberus was love at first sniff for me in the first release. Unfortunately I only bought the soap back then.

      • Cerberus was love at first sniff

        šŸ’Æ
        The aftershave and frag are available again. Lots more detail in the aftershave. That's why I'm considering buying the EdP.

28 comments