My Top Drawer

[Coler]

No shave today.

Yesterday I used the R41 GS again, and the wonderful Saponifiio Varesino Manna di Sicilia.

In short, a frustrating shave. Excellent on face/cheeks: BBS, zero issues. Not as close on my multi grained neck, and some nicks/weepers where I tried for closer.

That said, as the day wore on those resolved and were unnoticeable by mid afternoon.

I think I can get more out of the R41. Or maybe I will be ok with a less close finish on the lower neck.

In other news, my Rex Ambassador arrived. Perhaps it will be 'the one...'

 

[thombrogan]

Please heal quickly. Hoping your Rex Ambassador is all that and a bag of chips.

 

[Coler]

Please heal quickly. Hoping your Rex Ambassador is all that and a bag of chips.

Thank you very much.

I am very happy after shaving with it for the first time just now. In fairness, conditions were perfect for a debut shave - 2 day growth, SV lather.

I set the red dot to 3 (with the dial going from .5 mildest to 6 largest blade exposure.

3 pass shave.

It. Was. A. Maz. Ing.

I need to see how it does as a daily driver bur I'm very excited.

 

[Coler]

A relaxed evening shave. 2 passes, no ATG. The Rex performed very well again.

Rating my creams/soaps has taken something a backward step, given the change in razor.

However the T&H West African Limes was great too. This is certainly the cream for you if you want a sweet, strong lime scent. I generally prefer more complex scents in my lather but sometimes a punch in the nose works too. This is a great Summer citrus cream and was well up to the standard needed to stay in my rotation.

That makes me pretty confident my last slightly unsatisfying shave with T&H 1805 - A scent I *love*, was an outlier and not a true measure of where T&H sits relative to the benchmark.

 

[Coler]

No shave today.

Yesterday was no. 3 with my new Rex Ambassador. No pic. I used a Zingari soap for the first time.

I found it disappointing. A lovely marine themed scent, just my cup of tea, did not present well in the lather at all. What was pronounced and clear off the puck was faint and vague in the lather.

Now, perhaps I need to dial in the lather better as I found it a bit of a struggle, which is very unusual for me even with a new soap.

But I do find this - lack of scent in the lather - to be quite common in artisan tallow soaps with complex fragrances.

Unlike, say European hard/hardish soaps or English or Italian creams where the scent *develops* in the lather and everything is present with clarity, even with complex scents.

Just my nose maybe.

The shave overall was still excellent anyway. No issues with how the Zingari performed. However If I was to compare with Noble Otter, which seems like-for-like, I prefer NO and it's not that close. These are 'first shave' notes so I will certainly try the Zingari again.

Post shave splash of Proraso (green) and the Proraso white balm finished it off nicely.

The best thing about the shave, this was shave 3 on the Feather blade and it was as smooth and sharp as I could have wished. I've been getting 2 good shaves from Feathers since I can recall, so adding a third would be great.

This Rex Ambassador continues to out perform my other razors and I still havnt moved the red dot off 3.

In other news this week we are headed to a French campsite for 3 weeks. Kids are all very excited. Me and my wife are gritting our teeth at the thought of packing for it but it will be worth it when we get there (car ferry).

 

[Coler]

Kind of a learning experience this morning. No such thing as a bad or wasted one.

So, take-aways:

1. 4 on the ambassador is a little too much blade for me. 2 is not enough. 3 looks like the sweet spot.

2. Pushing for BBS with an ATG pass or touch ups in problem areas on the neck will always cause issues. It happens effortlessly or it doesnt.

3. Pure face lathering with a new brush (Chubby 1 Super) needs a little practice to dial in. But it is a great size for face lathering.

4. That Chubby 1 Super better quit shedding in the next couple of shaves.

5. Saponificio Varesino soap is amazing. The after-shave is *outstanding* too.

6. I need to quit posting about shaving and start organising for this upcoming holiday...

 

[Coler]

Do you want to hral like Wolverine?

Use Almond oil.

I am blessed with resilient skin but this stuff does amazing work for me.

 

[Coler]

*heal like Wolverine!

 

[Eric_75]

I really enjoy my Rex Envoy.

 

[Coler]

6. I need to quit posting about shaving and start organising for this upcoming holiday...

Ok I got my roofbox on and my grass cut before the rain, and just dropped my geriatric mutt to his minder.

Alfie is a mix of Bichon and Cavalier KC Spaniel, 14 years old, asthmatic, diabetic, one eye, a leaky heart and a waggy tail. When we go out of the country he stays in a great house nearby with a wonderful lady who minds several dogs. He loves the place. We are kind of steeling ourselves for the day when he goes to sleep and doesn't wake up. I hope he's still around when we get back.

Now if I could corral three hyper excited kids (11, 9, 4) into helping to carry stuff to the car I'd be getting somewhere.

 

[thombrogan]

Please have a great holiday!

 

[amateur]

Ok I got my roofbox on and my grass cut before the rain, and just dropped my geriatric mutt to his minder.

Alfie is a mix of Bichon and Cavalier KC Spaniel, 14 years old, asthmatic, diabetic, one eye, a leaky heart and a waggy tail. When we go out of the country he stays in a great house nearby with a wonderful lady who minds several dogs. He loves the place. We are kind of steeling ourselves for the day when he goes to sleep and doesn't wake up. I hope he's still around when we get back.

Now if I could corral three hyper excited kids (11, 9, 4) into helping to carry stuff to the car I'd be getting somewhere.

I wish your Alfie good health. Can you show me his picture?

 

[Coler]

I wish your Alfie good health. Can you show me his picture?

Thank you. With pleasure!

14 years ago first night at home

One happy good boy

Washing him the night before I got married...wow 12 years ago...myself and my wife are together since college (2000). I just realised that this year is the tipping point where we've been married for longer than not married.

And yes ladies, he's single

I was cooking a steak, 2 years ago (before he lost the eye)

With his favourite ted last year.

A good boy.

 

[Coler]

We both had less grey hair 13 years ago and I was...less interested in shaving..

 

[Coler]

If you guys want to post your doggos here, past or present, I would love to see them.

Meanwhile I will see you in France

We're going Dublin ---> Ferry to Holyhead, Wales ---> drive to Poole, England (6 hours) ---> ferry to Cherbourg ---> drive to Bain de Bretagne (3 hours) rest overnight ---> onwards to Noirmoutier for 3 weeks.

We've done this trip a lot. It's a great feeling heading down the road to the Port with the gang in the car. High spirits all round

In passing I had a super shave with this NO. I lathered it a lot better this time and the fragrance really held together well in the lather. Post shave just as you would expect and wish for from an artisan Tallow soap with Shea Butter also incorporated.

 

[amateur]

We both had less grey hair 13 years ago and I was...less interested in shaving..

View attachment 1890263

Thank you so much for the photos and interesting stories.

 

[Coler]

Arrived at our campsite yesterday. We decided on a canvas & log cabin to avoid the need to bring and pitch a tent. Basic in a good way. I like having floors

Campsite is right beside the beach and a 15 minute walk to shops/restaurants. We've been to this Island (South West France) many times so we know it well.

While the kids are at the pool I found time for a nice shave. The ambassador continues to impress. Setting the dial to 3 for WTG and XTG then 2 for ATF worked very well. Plus, especially in the heat, I really don't push for BBS on my neck.

As always SV Cubebe starts and finishes the shave beautifully.

The Chubby 1 Super is a lovely brush especially to face lather like I do but I do want it to stop shedding (only 4 shaves in, no need to panic).

I'm going to play some guitar for a while now. Of my collection I brought this Lowden hybrid. Maybe not the best choice for the conditions (nylon, heat). At least it's not humid here. It will live in the case anyway.

 

[Coler]

A few days stubble mown down this evening before dinner. Unfortunately I seem to not have thrown off the last bug or picked up a new one. It has hit hard but with kids on holiday there is no down time. Still, a great shave just now was a good morale boost. Some comments.

The MdC travel jar is an awkward face lathering prospect for the Chubby 1. Just not the right not for the jar size. However as always with MdC you get there in the end. The jar needs a smaller knot, ideally, or I could part-bowl/hand lather.

The ambassador continues to impress. Red dot set to 3 for WTG, XTG and 2 for ATG.

 

[Coler]

No pic but another fine shave this morning.

Noble Otter Manoi de Tahiti, same blade as last night, three passes & touch ups with the Ambassador left on 2.

I never would have thought 10 years ago I could happily shave twice in 12 - 14 hours without irritation, although as fast as my stubble grows it would be warranted depending on the occasion.

I think technique is always the bedrock to good shaving outcomes. The right razor & blade for your technique and your face - and this may change over time - is inextricably linked to technique.

Solid lather/lubrication products also matter and are a matter of personal choice.

Finally, a good skincare regime really matters. Nightly use of almond oil on my face has worked wonders for me.

Diet & sleep are also important - of course!

 

[Coler]

At this point I'll say goodbye to you all. I am in good health, thank God. I wish you all well.