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Brew's Foul Concoction

How did you ever make out with your kitchen knives? I may know a guy that's not extremely far from you with a belt grinder and ceramic belts if your stone didn't get it done. :ROFLMAO:

Those Japanese blades are gorgeous! I only have one, a Tanifuji, but I did get to test drive an Iwasaki once. Not a Tamahagane unfortunately, but still a superb piece of equipment.
 
ShawnF said:
How did you ever make out with your kitchen knives?
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They are better, Shawn, works in progress . . . . I didn't get to them all yet, but the ones I've played with are better, but not done. They may never be done, but that's ok too.

I find these Japanese razors to be remarkably consistent shavers, and very similar as a group. Simple lines, easy to hone, very useable sizes. I like them a lot.
 
Nice looking razors...and shoes. I haven’t seen many Japanese razors that have a relatively “normal” profile, most I’ve seen have a distinctly different look. The ones I always find almost look like frame back razors OR very eccentric smiles. Yours look like great quality razors for sure.
 
Hotel shave shortly. I brought the Feather razor so I can stay with my Japanese shaving theme. Right before I left the Stirling stuff I ordered arrived, including some aftershave samples. I put the Sandalwood/Vanilla sample into the dopp bag to use this morning. I should have taken a whiff though before choosing this one, as it is way too much vanilla for me. I don't want to smell like cookies today. Looks like it will just be plain witch hazel and some moisturizer for my AS today. Oh well.

I also brought the Stirling synth brush that arrived. I'll see how that goes shortly.

Wish me luck, please. Final round of interviews, I hope, is today.

Have a nice day.
 
Synth brushes just aren't for me. This Stirling brush was ok, but it still managed to fling lather from it's tips. That was strike 1 and 2. Strike 3 is the face feel. Just yucky. It made lather fine, I guess, but it just feels wrong on my face. Oh well.
 
Brew said:
This Stirling brush was ok, but it still managed to fling lather from it's tips. That was strike 1 and 2. Strike 3 is the face feel. Just yucky. It made lather fine, I guess, but it just feels wrong on my face. Oh well.
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Starting with less water in the brush will help with 1 and 2. As for #3..... can't help you there. If you don't like it, you don't like it. I love the feel of synthetics, so soft.
 
Comparing to the feel of your favorite...the boar, a synthetic may never get close. I have a low dollar omega that has the strangest textured bristles I e always considered it my synthetic boar, whether it is intended to be or not. I usually reserve it for travel because it’s nothing special, but it is great at lathering Proraso. Truly, if the Stirling synthetic underwhelmed the only other option in my mind is something specifically claiming to be synthetic horse or boar, which would be difficult to find I’m sure. If I see one I’ll speak up.
 
The brush just felt unnatural against my skin; almost too "perfect." Not "perfect" as in face feel. Rather, each "hair" is just so, and perfectly uniform throughout the knot. It's a convenient brush, no doubt. It dried in nothing flat, which is great for travel. But a boar dries quickly enough, so . . . .
 
You got this interview Larry! Good luck!

Bummer about the synth. I can imagine not having one around.
 
I get what you are saying about the unnatural feeling. Almost like it’s ... wait for it ... synthetic. I jest 🤪

But I do get that same kinda feeling. It is different, but I don’t hate it. It’s soft, has good backbone with minimal splay. It also lathers and paints well. But it does feel kinda ... off. I’ll use it a bit and see if/how my perception changes.
 
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