Razor: Merkur - Progress
Blade: Nacet (5th Shave Shave)
Soap/Cream: Grooming Department - Mallard
Brush: Graydog Brush in Cocobolo with Maggard Razors 26mm Mixed 70/30 Badger and Boar
The Penultimate Aftershave - Humphreys Witch Hazel
The Ultimate Aftershave: Fine Accouterments - Lavender Pour Homme
The Nacet blade is still going strong. Normally by this time my blades all seem to lose their luster. I will admit that the first couple shaves of this blade I didn't care for that much because it just seemed a little too...unrefined. But by shave three, the blade seemed to smooth out and while it is still sharp...it is also smooth.
Okay...the Graydog brush and the TSC/SV brush are my two newest brushes. And I love them both. But if I had to pick a favorite...to be honest...I think it would be the Graydog brush. I like moth knots just fine. The SV brush has a more dense knot and was softer from the word "go." The Graydog knot is a badger/boar mixed (though during the shedding process most of the fibers lost were bore bristles the best I could tell, so I wonder how much in the way of bore is still in there) and while not as soft as the SV brush from the beginning, after many uses it has soften up so that it is nearly as soft as the SV brush. The characteristics of the knots are slightly different. The SV brush holds onto a little more lather and builds a ton of it at the same time. Whereas the Graydog brush builds a ton of lather also but holds on to less of it. I find that I get great lather from either brush in similar quantities. So it is all about the handle. The Graydog handle wins hands down in this department. It just fits perfectly in my hand and gives me a good grip. The SV brush...well I had to kind f figure the grip out a little. It is heavier than the Graydog handle, which I like...but it just didn't feel right. After experimentation of a few shaves...I finally figured it out and all is well.
So...if I am picking a winner with these brushes...it's going to be the Graydog brush! But let me be clear...we are kind of splitting hairs her. Really fine hairs. I see myself alternating between these two brushes most of the time!
Shave was great as usual. Three passes and a splash or two of aftershave. Don't worry...I'll go back for more before I head off to work. Oh and did I mention the Mammoth Painting? Mike @Blade-meister will be ever proud!
The Danger Zone
This being at work everyday thing is getting old. Not because of the work...but mostly because of the boss. I'll just leave it at that.
The wife gets bigger everyday and the baby seems to be more and more active. It seems that the hospital has loosened their restrictions a little. In the delivery room, the hospital is allowing and additional support person. So now, the wife can have her mom there in addition to me. They are still only allowing one person in the room after delivery though. But hey...progress I guess.
Hope the middle of the week brings a smile to the Cadre's collective faces! Have a great one.
Blade: Nacet (5th Shave Shave)
Soap/Cream: Grooming Department - Mallard
Brush: Graydog Brush in Cocobolo with Maggard Razors 26mm Mixed 70/30 Badger and Boar
The Penultimate Aftershave - Humphreys Witch Hazel
The Ultimate Aftershave: Fine Accouterments - Lavender Pour Homme
The Nacet blade is still going strong. Normally by this time my blades all seem to lose their luster. I will admit that the first couple shaves of this blade I didn't care for that much because it just seemed a little too...unrefined. But by shave three, the blade seemed to smooth out and while it is still sharp...it is also smooth.
Okay...the Graydog brush and the TSC/SV brush are my two newest brushes. And I love them both. But if I had to pick a favorite...to be honest...I think it would be the Graydog brush. I like moth knots just fine. The SV brush has a more dense knot and was softer from the word "go." The Graydog knot is a badger/boar mixed (though during the shedding process most of the fibers lost were bore bristles the best I could tell, so I wonder how much in the way of bore is still in there) and while not as soft as the SV brush from the beginning, after many uses it has soften up so that it is nearly as soft as the SV brush. The characteristics of the knots are slightly different. The SV brush holds onto a little more lather and builds a ton of it at the same time. Whereas the Graydog brush builds a ton of lather also but holds on to less of it. I find that I get great lather from either brush in similar quantities. So it is all about the handle. The Graydog handle wins hands down in this department. It just fits perfectly in my hand and gives me a good grip. The SV brush...well I had to kind f figure the grip out a little. It is heavier than the Graydog handle, which I like...but it just didn't feel right. After experimentation of a few shaves...I finally figured it out and all is well.
So...if I am picking a winner with these brushes...it's going to be the Graydog brush! But let me be clear...we are kind of splitting hairs her. Really fine hairs. I see myself alternating between these two brushes most of the time!
Shave was great as usual. Three passes and a splash or two of aftershave. Don't worry...I'll go back for more before I head off to work. Oh and did I mention the Mammoth Painting? Mike @Blade-meister will be ever proud!
The Danger Zone
This being at work everyday thing is getting old. Not because of the work...but mostly because of the boss. I'll just leave it at that.
The wife gets bigger everyday and the baby seems to be more and more active. It seems that the hospital has loosened their restrictions a little. In the delivery room, the hospital is allowing and additional support person. So now, the wife can have her mom there in addition to me. They are still only allowing one person in the room after delivery though. But hey...progress I guess.
Hope the middle of the week brings a smile to the Cadre's collective faces! Have a great one.
