djundjila

Still warm and comfy Sat 16 Nov 2024

• Brush: Zenith r/Wetshaving exclusive MOAR BADGER (Silvertip)
• Razor: Thiers Issard 14 Médaille d'Or 1921 Exposition d'Algier Acier Spécial (7/8", extra hollow, square point, carbon steel)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Nocturne
• Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts – Pomona

I enjoyed this morning's Nocturne shave so much I had to partially repeat it. As predicted (and entirely unsurprisingly), Pomona is a great pairing for Nocturne.

I love the zing version, and I was always a bit sceptical when I read Will's comments complaining about it being too smokey. What does he mean, this smells great!

Now I get it what he was going for, because the sweet warmth of the apples comes through so well here. It's really lovely, the kind of fall fragrance that smells delicious without being cloying. It's a corner of the equilateral Pomona-Autumn Ash-Nocturne triangle, and right down my alley. I love gourmand scents in cold weather, so no surprise there.

For Warmth and Comfort Sat 16 Nov 2024

• Brush: Zenith r/Wetshaving exclusive MOAR BADGER (Silvertip)
• Razor: Thiers Issard 14 Médaille d'Or 1921 Exposition d'Algier Acier Spécial (7/8", extra hollow, square point, carbon steel)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Nocturne
• Post Shave: Barrister and Mann – Nocturne
• Fragrance: Tom Ford – Tobacco Vanille

Nocturne ♥

I've bought and enjoyed the zing/BaM collaboration version early in my wetshaving journey before I stopped using zing products (with a few exceptions), and when Will brought Nocturne back as a full BaM I happily jumped on the opportunity. The difference between the two fragrances is pretty clear, with less smoke in the BaM version. I really dig it. The warm apple scent is much more front and centre, not entirely unlike Pomona. With international shipping prices being what they are, getting samples of things doesn't often make financial sense, so I'm delighted when a blind buy like this turns out exactly like I hoped.

After discussing TI steels with u/FireDragonMonkey I wanted to use my TI 14 today, and it's such a pleasant razor, despite all its battle scars. All the pitting is cosmetic and the edge is soft-feeling and smooth. It reminds me of the Wade and Butcher blade feel. Less loud than many other 14s, I suspect the grind it a bit thicker. I can't tell whether I prefer the newer high carbon C135 TI steel or the vintage steel they used to use. but both can clearly take a great edge (Although it takes me longer to sharpen the newer ones. I'm not sure if it holds the edge longer, but it would stand to reason)

I smell delicious.

Valedictorian ++;

I'm considering a run through all GEM razors. I've been planning one for a while, but it's a 14 shave commitment

Nice work!

I've done the same to two Rubberset 400s and a Moar Boar with a bad knot. I used approximately the same process as you for the Rubbersets, and also marred the ferrule, but upgraded my setup for the Moar Boar and I have worked out two recommendations for anyone trying to do this (or you if you do this again)

1. Use a vise or something to position the nozzle of a vacuum cleaner next to the handle. It catches the dust, and lets you see mutch better what you're doing (and clean-up is easier, too, but doing it outside is still smart). Seeing better makes it easier not to hit the ferrule and gives more confidence while milling.
2. If you wrap the handle (especially the ferrule) in thick layers of cardboard and masking tape, you can hold the handle in a vise (still be careful not to crush it), and you won't mar the ferrule if you accidentally touch it with the mill bit.

Pictures of my process are here

Next up for me is going to be extracting the shitknot of my Mühle Purist.

The 14er is a flagship Böker, and if you ignore all the laser engraving and gold wash, it's a fairly conservative design. IMO, this is exactly what Böker does best; consistent geometry in good steel. I'm not surprised you enjoy it, and I sure enjoy mine 😊

Fougère Sheepday 15 Nov 2024

• Brush: Zenith 506B MB (27 mm × 51 mm Manchurian badger)
• Razor: Thiers Issard Le Dandy
• Lather: Boendoebaard Woesteling
• Post Shave: Boendoebaard Woesteling

After Varen, I went with my other mutton tallow fougère soap for my second luxury shave. For some reason, button tallow really seems to agree with my face, and I can't get a bad shave with either Varen or Woesteling.

Right? Galling.

Oh, I had simply gotten tired of complaining about this abject failure of a knot. This is the brush equivalent of a shit sandwich. It is difficult for me to find words for how garbage this product really is.

I will pull or dremel the knot out (pulling might be impossible since it holds roughly 17 Badger hairs) and put in something decent.

This episode has annoyed me enough that I'm considering writing to Mühle and to ask what the fuck they think they are doing.

The only acceptance here is that I wasted money unless I change that knot. There cannot be acceptance of the knot.

If you're interested in experiencing just how shite this brush is, I'd be happy to loan it to you before the exorcism.

Apparently I had some pent-up complaints that needed airing 😅

Fou Fri 15 Nov 2024

• Brush: Zenith 506B MB (27 mm × 51 mm Manchurian badger)
• Razor: Thiers Issard Le Dandy
• Lather: Stirling Soap Co – Varen
• Post Shave: Stirling Soap Co – Varen
• Fragrance: Stirling Soap Co – Varen

Delightful morning shave for three reasons:

1. The freshly honed Dandy. Doubly nice because I've been missing straight razors after mostly safety razors for over a week, and because this fresh crisp edge is on point. Satisfyingly smooth and close ATG, it cleared my neck with just a few long strokes. No buffing, no touch-ups, no notes.
2. The Manchurian. Not just in contrast to the underwhelming Mühle Purist of the last few days, this scrubby badger with just the right amount of backbone and the comfy handle punches way above its price
3. 🇳🇱 Varen 🇳🇱

Thu 14 Nov 2024

• Brush: Mühle Purist (21 mm silvertip badger, ebonite handle)
• Razor: Mühle R41 GT Berlin edition
• Blade: Feather new Hi-Stainless
• Lather: Barrister and Mann – Braeburn
• Post Shave: Chanel – Bleu de Chanel

Sweet Braeburn for an on theme SLS. I smell delicious.