All,
After eight years of going with a shaving set-up of Ikon Standard Razor / Feather Blades / Maca Root Shaving Cream, I ventured out and tried several newer artisan soaps and about four new razors.
In the end, and after getting a BBS shave, which almost included my neck of all places, I have decided to ride with this set-up for awhile: Feather AS/D2 Razor / Feather Blades / Declaration Grooming Sweet Lemon or Arko Soap and/or Proraso Single Blade Azure Lime Cream.
I am doing this, because I just had what I consider to be my best shave with the least amount of passes and irritation. Not saying the Feather AS/D2 is the best razor, but it is for me considering the ease of use and BBS shave. Also, the tolerances on the razor seem perfect, which is not always the case and I have never seen with Ikon. This thing is "on the money" in terms of its manufacturing quality and precision.
As for blades, well, I see no need to change. Feathers are so darn cheap, yet so sharp, I can't imaging looking for anything "better." I did that long ago and grew tired of the duds I experienced along the way until I found Feather.
As for soap, I am very impressed with Declaration Grooming's Sweet Lemon. Smells like a lemon baked good and has good strength of scent and awesome lather. Arko, to me, is the best soap value in shaving and when I do a superlather with the Proraso Single blade cream, I get a very nice scent instead of Ivory Soap scent that gets old to me after awhile. I used this superlather for my best shave mentioned above.
All things considered, I had a good eight year run, but looking forward to my new set-up for awhile. Clearly, once I find what I like I stick with it, so I will see how long this lasts before trying new stuff.
As always....YMMV.
All the best!
After eight years of going with a shaving set-up of Ikon Standard Razor / Feather Blades / Maca Root Shaving Cream, I ventured out and tried several newer artisan soaps and about four new razors.
In the end, and after getting a BBS shave, which almost included my neck of all places, I have decided to ride with this set-up for awhile: Feather AS/D2 Razor / Feather Blades / Declaration Grooming Sweet Lemon or Arko Soap and/or Proraso Single Blade Azure Lime Cream.
I am doing this, because I just had what I consider to be my best shave with the least amount of passes and irritation. Not saying the Feather AS/D2 is the best razor, but it is for me considering the ease of use and BBS shave. Also, the tolerances on the razor seem perfect, which is not always the case and I have never seen with Ikon. This thing is "on the money" in terms of its manufacturing quality and precision.
As for blades, well, I see no need to change. Feathers are so darn cheap, yet so sharp, I can't imaging looking for anything "better." I did that long ago and grew tired of the duds I experienced along the way until I found Feather.
As for soap, I am very impressed with Declaration Grooming's Sweet Lemon. Smells like a lemon baked good and has good strength of scent and awesome lather. Arko, to me, is the best soap value in shaving and when I do a superlather with the Proraso Single blade cream, I get a very nice scent instead of Ivory Soap scent that gets old to me after awhile. I used this superlather for my best shave mentioned above.
All things considered, I had a good eight year run, but looking forward to my new set-up for awhile. Clearly, once I find what I like I stick with it, so I will see how long this lasts before trying new stuff.
As always....YMMV.
All the best!