Thread: Sun March 25th - Sat March 31st

Originally Posted by Obie

Gentlemen, it's a soft spring day here in the province. Birds chatter in the trees, while Harry, my friend the cardinal, spins his song with a stream of intricate notes. It's a good day to smile.

Razor: Le Grelot in snake wood scales
Razor: Edwin Jagger 89 in iKon Bulldog handle
Blade: Feather
Brush: Thater 24 mm silver tip
Cream: Xpec original
Pre-shave; Castle Forbes
Scuttle: Schwarzweisskeramik
Alum
Witch hazel
Balm: Bulgari
Aftershave: Zino by Davidoff
Music: Symphony No. 6 "Pastorale" by Beethoven
Finisher: Espresso coffee and the New York Times

Obie, I'd love to hear your take on the XPec. I love the cream and the EdT is divine!

Awesome Shaves today, Men!

A bit of a cheat, here. This was yesterday's afternoon shave in preparation for a formal event for "Sweet Sixteen" celebrating the sophmore girls at my daughter's school. A full prep was needed, so I called on the Swedes. Eric Anton Berg provided a sweep of a 3 day growth and it's smaller, smiling cousin, the Ran-tan-Ka-rus accomplished up-close trimming and detail. Razorock limited, Thater, and Stetson filled in a super nice grooming, even for me! The purple tux accessories matched my daughter's dress perfectly for the Father and Daughter dance!
They grow up so soon!
Have a super week, Guys!
Tom

Originally Posted by LegalBeagle

Obie, I'd love to hear your take on the XPec. I love the cream and the EdT is divine!

Ah, my dear friend, what a delight to hear from you. Thanks. Xpec is a curious duck. I love the fragrance, although it seems to be hit and miss with some. Little makes a lot. Yet today I used my dense 24 mm. knot Thater slivertip and found it to slightly under-perform. This is a royal brush, plump and elegant, but I feel its density hinders lather development and volume in Xpec. I have used other silvertip brushes for the cream, loading them as much, but those with less density have developed better lather.

On the face, after the razor has removed lather and stubble, Xpec leaves the skin a little too scrubbed for an easier glide on subsequent strokes over the same spot. Some soaps and creams still leave an invisible coating of cream and moisture to help the glide. Not Xpec. The solution I found is in a less dense silvertip and a touch more water.

Overall I find Xpec to be a superb cream, in the same class as Castle Forbes, although a toe-length below it in overall quality and performance. I never had the opportunity to try Caraceni, so I have little to say about its overall quality except to note the accolades from other shavers. In creams, therefore, Castle Forbes still rules for me.

Trumper, St. James of London, Taylor of Old Bond Street, D.R. Harris, Penhaligon's and some of the others also produce exceptional shave creams worth the money, although I find Penhaligon's price slightly too exuberant.

So yes, Xpec is a winner once you accommodate its little demands.

Stay well.

Strop: Illinois #127
Brush: H.L. Thater Octagonal Plexi 30mm Silvertip
Cream: RazoRock XXX
Razor: Henckels Friodur Inox 7/8 Scalloped Spine in Buckeye Burl
A/S: Floid Amber



First time with a Friodur, it was a very good performer. Not my top performer (my DD Wonderedge) but certainly very good, plus the fact that it looks so cool helps its case. Good days always start off with Floid Amber, love that stuff. Back to work tomorrow, men. Have a good week everyone

For those who have wondered what happened to Robert, I am happy to report that he is alive and well:

Yep, I dedicated a shave to him last Sun after checking in on him. Seems to be doing fine, but busy with new job. Gotta be more to life than this forum too. I wish him the best! A Great guy! He will be back!

Good morning Gentlemens!

Today was:
Prep: hot towel + glycerin soap
Scuttle: homemade
Brush: Homemade with silvertip badger knot
Shaving soap: Vitos Extra Super
Razor: 13/16" "The Fisher"
AS: Kartopu Limón After Shave (from Turkey)

Monday morning

Thiers Issard