A New Stirling Convert!

So I picked up a sample of Stirling's Port Au Prince soap at the Asheville meetup (along with a sack of other shaving software-I believe Chris aka Warpiper was responsible for the Stirling samples), and after a hot, sweaty weekend cutting grass, weed-eating, burning brush, etc., I decided to give it a go today. After showering off the crud, I lathered it up with Ray/Walleyeman's beautiful brush, and worked up a nice, creamy face-lather (my usual method). Two things were immediately apparent: the intoxicating Haitian vetiver/citrus scent, and the luxurious feel of the tallow. I'm not sure of the formulation, but according to the website, this is one of his "elite" soaps, and it feels like it.

Then I proceeded to deploy two of my favorite freshly-stropped (on Hidestoart English Bridle) Sheffields, a Frederick Reynolds (my best shaver), and a restored Wade and Butcher. I was fortunate enough to finish both on Ron/Utopian's Gokumyo 20k at the meetup, so they were in prime shape. Needless to say, these two British beasts wiped off 3 days of growth with aplomb. Cushion and glide were superb, and my God, that scent-I am now a vetiver convert (never tried it before today).


Finally, after a bracing cold-water rinse, I knew what would complement the soap perfectly. I finished with a splash of Captain's Choice Lime, with a drop of ShaveDen Menthol-icy citrus perfection! This hobby has gotten so much more enjoyable now that I have been fortunate enough to score some artisan quality tools and software. I just couldn't resist posting these!
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/x...psr1hi3sle.jpg
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/x...pslky1c90f.jpg
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/x...psexkgfzin.jpg
http://i767.photobucket.com/albums/x...d/94270678.jpg
Please indulge the gratuitous gear pics, even though the thread is ostensibly about Stirling. Bottom line, I WILL be ordering some more of his samples. And as others have mentioned, for the quality and amount you get, his prices are very nice.

Thanks for looking! SHD/Aaron

"Never get out of the boat. Unless you were going all the way."

I'm with you on the Port Au Prince, great stuff, I'd like to see Rod do a bath bar in that scent

Sweet pics.

Interested as to why two razors, though :shrug:

I often test shave two or three at a time-1 razor for each pass. It's so hard to choose just one!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

I often test shave two or three at a time-1 razor for each pass. It's so hard to choose just one!

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I just needed to hear it from your "lips". I have done the same, good sir.

Simon

In my opinion, Stirling is one of the best values in shave soaps. Great product, reasonable price.

You can add me to the list of regular Stirling users!

In addition, Rod is great to deal with!

Plenty slick an' easy to whip. Do it.... Do it

In Christ
SB

I had too much free time this week with some changes at work, so I put together another "Stirling Week".

7 Days, 7 Stirling Soaps, 7 Razors, 7 Blades, 7 Brushes.

This will be my lineup starting Monday, May 12th:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psded7701e.jpg

Day 1-Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic, Omega 10066 Boar, Gillette NEW SC, Personna Med Prep, Krampert’s Frostbite

Day 2-Stirling Ozark Mountain, Lord Chesterfield/Carrington 3-Band Synthetic, Gillette 40’s Style Superspeed, Rapira Platinum Lux, Tabac EdC

Day 3-Stirling Clubman, Plisson Grey Badger, Gillette Ball End Tech, Gillette Silver Blue, Clubman

Day 4-Stirling Lavender Sage, Whipped Dog Synthetic, Gillette Fat Handle Tech, Gillette 7 O’Clock Black SP, Grey Flannel

Day 5-Stirling Spice, Old Spice Boar, Gillette Red Tip Superspeed, Israeli Red Personna, Shulton Old Spice

Day 6-Stirling Scots Pine Sheep, oscar11 2-Band Finest, Gillette Slim, Polsilver SI, Pino Silvestre

Day 7-Stirling Barbershop, Whipped Dog Silvertip, Maggard MR1, Gillette Platinum, Canoe