NomadicDave's Shaving Journey

[NomadicDave]

Face Shave

Razor: 1966 Gillette Slim
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Wald A1 Goldvein
Soap: 345 Co Den of Thieves

Such a fantastic setup for today's shave. The Wald A1 is really a fantastic brush that I can't find any faults to it. It's my stuck on an island brush for sure. I really love this look of this Nimbus in the Goldvein pour.

I decided to buy another on this drop he had this week. Stratos with the OG Bulb in the Haunter color-way is what I went with. This 1966 Gillette Slim is just stunning. It looks like a $1,000 razor to me. While it's not my favorite razor or most efficient it has that old character I love.

Den of Thieves is an interesting set. The scent is homage to Tom Ford Rive D'Ambre. Tom Ford's fragrances are pretty pricey so anytime I can find a soap I love in a homage to one of his scents I like to try it. This one of those ones I like it but still not sure how much I like it. Is it I love it and should get the EDT, or is it I like it and will keep using just the soap and splash. The EDT from 345 Soap Co is only $25, which is a steal seeing the Tom Ford Rive D'Ambre is $200+ for a bottle. I get a little citrus, mostly lemon with a hint of mint on the sniff test. But typically EDT's are better at telling the true scent of something.

 

[NomadicDave]

Head Shave
Razor: Masamune
Blade: Astra SP (2)
Brush: DG Roil B13
Soap: A&E The Gothic Quarter

Another banger from A&E! I have had this soap for a bit in my den but just have not used it yet. It's really nice and reminds me of The Club Boo. Which I am really loving the more I use it.

This B13 Roil is such a great brush. Very luxurious fell to it especially for my head shaves. The pour is stunning to my eyes. Purple mixed with a white swirl. I own three B13s, the other two being Dumb Courage and Sonder pours. I originally bought multiple of brushes with knots I loved thinking if one got used too much it would somehow not last. I don't think that is the case anymore. But now I do enjoy having a knot I love in a few different pours that I like to look at.

I have thought about downsizing to only keeping two of any knot I like and sell the rest. But being that I shave both my face and head I'm able to use all my brushes at least a few times a month. But I often wonder how would it be to only have say 10 brushes in a rotation. Right now even splitting my collection in half I have about 18 brushes at a time in rotation.

Started to go thought them again this long weekend (Holiday so I had Friday and I get Monday off). I have found one brush I am willing to sell but a few more I'm on the edge to let go of or not. I also have two Grizzly Bay brushes that I am thinking of selling. I just don't use them but I love the handle on the brush so thought about sending them to get a different knot put it. But then I also think to myself I don't need anymore brushes as I still have a few that have not made it to me yet. I have on the way a 24mm ZT4, TNS M5 in a TanZ handle, TNS H5 and the Wald Stratos OG Bulb in the Haunter pour. A total of four more brushes on the way to add to my collection. So yeah at this point I don't know if I should keep those handles or not.

I also might sell my TNS M2 and TNS L3 once my M5 and H5 from TNS arrive. Right now I'm preferring my M1 and H4,L4 more than my M2 and L3. So if the M5 and H5 is anything like the batch 4 hair I will sell the M2, and L3 hopefully lol.

 

[NomadicDave]

Head Shave
Razor: Masamune
Blade: Astra SP (3)
Brush: DG Spooky B15
Soap: The Club The Graveyard

Yesterday was the first time in a long time I did not shave my face and head. Only did a head shave.

The Graveyard is one of the soaps that is a complex but beautiful scent to me. They don't make it anymore and every time I see a used one on the BST I buy it. It's that good to me! The only other soap I have done that with is B&M Hallows and Talbot Shaving Winter's Refraction. All three soaps are not made anymore. Actually I had two used tubs of Hallows, I just finished one of them. But I have never found the splash on the BST's. Until last week I saw a soap/splash set for $30 and scooped it up and should be getting it this coming week. Pretty excited to see what the splash is like.

I thought the Spooky B15 looked pretty cool for this picture lol. I really love the DG B15 batch and seems like I'm in the minority of that. But I put it right there with B14. I have three B15s, the other two being a Cotton Candy B15 and a Sombre Hour B15. I don't have any plans to add another one to the collection. But I'm not going to lie if the right pour popped up for the right price I would buy one.

 

[NomadicDave]

Face Shave
Razor: Blackbird Ti
Blade: Wilkinson Sword
Brush: Trotter Winter Tide T1
Soap: The Club The Graveyard

Man, I did not like the blade for today's shave. Threw it in the garbage. I'm digging this soap though.

 

[NomadicDave]

2023 Goals


Added another tub kill to my list. That is four tub kills in 2023. It feels good killing another tub of soap. I'm not sure if I will focus on another kill or enjoy a bit more selection. Maybe I'll do a bit of both.

I have a few items I want to get for 2023:

-Max Sprecher straight razor
-Mozingo ZT4 24mm knotting service
-TNS custom probably M4 & send in a handles for ether L4 and or H4 fan.
-Catie's Bubbles X splash, V & X backup pucks
-WK Vor V

Lastly, maybe buy the SV limited edition Shaving Brush Arlecchino

Kill List

-Talbot Winter Refraction
-PAA Cube
-B&M Hallows
-Catie's Bubbles Tactical Support
-Declaration Grooming Albizia

 

[NomadicDave]

Razor: 1955 Gillette Red Tip
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Brush: DG Blood Of Kings B9A+
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

Such a fantastic setup for my head shave tonight. The B9A+ was a bit difficult to load due to the gel tips. Yet I don't mind seeing how lovely this knot and pour is!

This Red Tip is absolutely stunning and a great easy shaver. I forgot how nice this scent is. This is not a banger but it is nice. Hoffman's soap base is nice and slick but not in my top favorites.

 

[NomadicDave]

Face Shave

Razor: WR2 1.55
Blade: Gillette Nacet (2)
Brush: The Varlet 29mm XD
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

A fantastic shave with this setup. The Varlet 29mm XD had a much easier time loading than the B9A+. The Varlet really performed very well, better than I remember it doing so. I might have to start using it more next to other brushes for a better comparison. But Varlet is a top three brush for me.

Head Shave

Razor: Masamune
Blade: Gillette Nacet (3)
Brush: DG Illusive B14
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollows

A great head shave with this setup. B14 in this Illusive pour is the Goat. I really love B14 it's great at everything and it's so soft you don't feel the hairs yet it's able to work the lather into the whiskers with ease. I don't see the Illusive pour too often in the wild. Every-time I use this brush it makes me miss my Illusive B15. I just love this pour and B15/B14 being a top three brush for me.

I still have three other B15s in my Den so that makes losing that Illusive one a bit easier. Especially now having a Sombre Hour B15. Which is much like the Illusive pour but instead of a red and gold it's more of a gold and teal.

 

[NomadicDave]

Face Shave

Razor: Blackbird Ti
Blade: Gillette Nacet (3)
Brush: Trotter w/TNS L3
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

TNS makes some exceptional brushes and this L3 is incredible.

Head Shave

Razor: WR2 1.55
Blade: Gillette Nacet (1)
Brush: TNS H4
Soap: B&M Eigengrau

Had to pull out this TNS H4 tonight and took a break from Red Hollows.

 

[NomadicDave]

Yesterday Face Shave

Razor: Blackbird Ti
Blade: Gillette Nacet (1)
Brush: Viking Soaps Odins Beard Bulb
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

Man, this Odin's Bulb really surprised me on today's shave. Really dense, soft, and not a lather hog.

 

[NomadicDave]

Razor: Blackbird Ti
Blade: Gillette Nacet (2)
Brush: V&C VC02
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

Man, this was a fantastic head shave. I forgot how incredible this brush is!

I have made a pretty good dent in this tub of soap!

 

[NomadicDave]

Face Shave
Razor: WR2 1.55
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Brush: TNS L4
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

This was a perfect shave with this incredible gear. Wolfman makes an incredible razor. Milton at Turn-N-Shave makes some of the best hand-tied brushes on the market. The more I have used this L4 the more I have liked it.

Head Shave
Razor: WR2 1.55
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Brush: DG Cotton Candy B15
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

I really enjoyed slowing down on tonight's head shave. I'm trying to hone in on my technique when using this WR2. I love B15 and this Cotton Candy pour is sweet! This tub is getting low rather quickly. I'm not sure what it is but I am really enjoying the Hoffman's splash. The soap has a better base than what I originally thought. But I think that has a lot to do with me now having so much time with it I am really knowing how to dial it in.

 

[NomadicDave]

Razor: Blackbird Ti
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Brush: Mozingo ZT4
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

Today I did my head & face shave with the same setup. This made for a smooth enjoyable shave. I really love using the ZT4 and I might like it a bit more than my ZT3s.

 

[NomadicDave]

Some late posts

Razor: WR2 1.55
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Brush: TNS H4
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

Enjoyed this setup this morning.

Razor: WR2 1.55
Blade: Gillette Nacet
Brush: TNS M1
Soap: Hoffman’s Red Hollow

Pulled out the tub slayer for my head shave. It's the beginning of the end.

 

[NomadicDave]

2023 Goals


So I have been UA around here my computer went down and man I hate using the phone on forums. Well, I'm back up and running with my new computer.

Another kill has happened since my last update this one was Hoffman's Red Hollow. That put's me at five tub kills for this year.

I finally got my 24mm ZT4 and it is not only stunning it's a freaking killer knot.

I have a few items I want to get for 2023:

-Max Sprecher straight razor
-Mozingo ZT4 24mm knotting service
-TNS custom probably M4 & send in a handles for ether L4 and or H4 fan.
-Catie's Bubbles X splash, V & X backup pucks
-WK Vor V

Lastly, maybe buy the SV limited edition Shaving Brush Arlecchino

Kill List

-Talbot Winter Refraction
-PAA Cube
-B&M Hallows
-Catie's Bubbles Tactical Support
-Declaration Grooming Albizia
-Hoffman's Red Hollow

 

[Sascoman]

Beauty there

 

[NomadicDave]

I also got a new to me Dogwood with a Declaration Grooming B6 in it. She is a looker and I have two shaves with it. I see why B6 is a legendary knot.

 

[NomadicDave]

I'm back!!! Computer broke and finally got a new one so I can post again
Face Shave
Razor: WR2 1.55
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Maritime w/Mozingo ZT4
Soap: SW Anthropophagy

This 24mm ZT4 is incredible. I'm finally getting the technique of this WR2.

Head Shave
Razor: WSC Winning Razor
Blade: Astra SP (2)
Brush: TNS Dark Galaxy H4
Soap: SW Anthropophagy

I was able to get in an early head shave so I decided to capture the beautiful view from my place. This TNS H4 is an exceptional brush and the pour on it is stunning.

 

[flask28]

2023 Goals


So I have been UA around here my computer went down and man I hate using the phone on forums. Well, I'm back up and running with my new computer.

Another kill has happened since my last update this one was Hoffman's Red Hollow. That put's me at five tub kills for this year.

I finally got my 24mm ZT4 and it is not only stunning it's a freaking killer knot.
View attachment 1617507
I have a few items I want to get for 2023:

-Max Sprecher straight razor
-Mozingo ZT4 24mm knotting service
-TNS custom probably M4 & send in a handles for ether L4 and or H4 fan.
-Catie's Bubbles X splash, V & X backup pucks
-WK Vor V

Lastly, maybe buy the SV limited edition Shaving Brush Arlecchino

Kill List

-Talbot Winter Refraction
-PAA Cube
-B&M Hallows
-Catie's Bubbles Tactical Support
-Declaration Grooming Albizia
-Hoffman's Red Hollow

Fantastic brush there my man!

 

[flask28]

Do you think the ZT4 and the TNS are in the same ballpark from a feel and performance point of view? I know you've seen a few of both.

 

[NomadicDave]

Do you think the ZT4 and the TNS are in the same ballpark from a feel and performance point of view? I know you've seen a few of both.

I think they are for sure. I prefer the TNS high density offerings. But if I was to compare the my TNS L4 to my ZT4 I think I like the ZT4 a bit more. I'm not sure on the TNS medium density as I don't have one.