SotN July 8, 2025
New Gear
The postman's knock brings more than mail; it brings anticipation, excitement, and the promise of something special.
All have just arrived:Razor: Cx-Lynx, Carbon Shaving Damascus Limited Edition
Stand: Shield Razor brushed steel (also have brass, titanium and polished)
Brush: Carbon Shaving Damascus Limited Edition, RK900 Synthetic Knot custom made and hand tied in Germany by local artisans. 26mm/55mm
Blade: AccuTec manufactured Personna "Lab Blue", (now AccuForge Blue)
Bowl: Saponificio Varesino shaving bowl.
Soap: BBS Soap Nile Lotus
AS: BBS Soap Nile Lotus
EDT: BBS Soap Nile Lotus
Cx-Lynx:
The Cx-Lynx razor is a remarkable piece, a testament to the modern revival of ancient art. While it is called Damascus, true Damascus steel, a legendary material known for its strength and intricate patterns, secrets were lost in the 1800s.
Around 500 AD, swordsmiths of the Middle East began to produce knives and swords with strength and cutting abilities unequalled by any other civilization of the time. The superiority of these weapons came from the steel that they used to fashion them. The steel was harder and could hold an edge longer than other steels. It is claimed that one of these blades could cleanly slice through a falling silk scarf. Europeans who saw this feat were astounded: their weapons were not capable of anything close to this. The blades of these weapons also had a characteristic wavy pattern. Since the steel was supposed to be initially created in Damascus, the steel became known as "Damascus" steel.
Many people in Europe saw these steels and tried to recreate the effect through processing. However, they could not discover the secret, and could not make it. Though there was a demand for Damascus steel, in the 19th century it stopped being made. This steel had been produced for 11 centuries, and in just about a generation, the means of its manufacture was entirely lost. The reason it disappeared remained a mystery until just a few years ago.
As it turns out, the technique was not lost, it just stopped working. The "secret" that produced such high quality weapons was not in the technique of the swordsmiths, but rather on the composition of the material they were using. The swordsmiths got their steel ingots from India. In the 19th Century, the mining region where those ingots came from changed. These new ingots had slightly different impurities than the prior ingots. Because of the new composition, the new ingots could not be forged into Damascus steel. Because the swordsmiths did not understand the nature of the material they used, when that material changed Damascus steel was lost.
In 1998, J.D. Verhoeven rediscovered the composition that would create this steel. His paper on the topic can be found at the JOM site. It is now again possible to buy items made of true Damascus steel (not pattern welded).
Cx-Lynx is actually made from pattern-welding, the process of fusing different types of steel together, allows artisans to create unique and visually stunning patterns on the metal's surface. In the Cx-Lynx, the combination of 304 and 316 stainless steel creates a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow, reminiscent of a wild cat's eyes gleaming in the dark. This is not merely a razor; it is a work of art that speaks to the craftsmanship and skill of its maker, Sean at Carbon Shaving.
Sean names his limited editions as opposed to generating serial numbers. The Damascus limited editions all have Latin names. The Latin name lynx comes from Ancient Greek λύγξ (lúnx), which in turn comes from Proto-Indo-European *lewk- (“white; light; bright”), because of the cat's glowing eyes and ability to see in the dark. The Cx-Lynx razor's name further enhances its mystique, evoking the image of a stealthy and elusive creature, known for its sharp senses and keen eyesight.
Cx-Lynx has the Carbon Shaving “+” base plate. It has a .88 blade gap and compares to the other CS base plates as seen in this image.
BBS Soap Nile Lotus:
BBS Soaps is a small, artisanal soap maker based in Athens, Greece. They specialize in handcrafted shaving soaps, using high-quality ingredients and unique fragrances.
- Products: Their primary focus is on shaving soaps, which they offer in a variety of scents, including traditional barbershop fragrances, citrusy blends, and unique options like "Sol" (inspired by the Greek sun) and "Flamingo." They also offer matching aftershaves, colognes, and some sets that bundle products together.
- Ingredients: BBS Soaps prides itself on using carefully selected, top-quality materials for their soaps. Their formulations often include nourishing ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and various clays.
- Philosophy: They emphasize their passion for creating handcrafted products and their commitment to providing a luxurious and enjoyable shaving experience.
The soap is based on their Cronos 2.0 base, which is intriguing with what I think are some pretty unique ingredients:
Organic Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Garcinia Indica Seed(Kokum) Butter, Beef Tallow, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Seed Butter, Duck Fat, Buffalo Milk, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Potassium Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, Rosa Damascena flower water, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Astrocaryum Murumuru Seed Butter, ricinus communis seed oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) butter, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) oil, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii Butter , Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Sodium Hydroxide, Distilled Water, Pistacia Lentiscus Resin Extract, , Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice, Ostrich fat, Pistachia Lentiscus Gum Water, simmondsia chinensis(jojoba) seed oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Hypericum Perforatum Flower, bentonite clay, kaolin, Sodium Lactate, Parfume/fragrance, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Gossypium Herbaceum(Cotton) Seed Oil, Greek Yogurt, citric acid, cetyl alcohol, Xanthan Gum, tussha silk, titanium dioxide
Shield Razors:
Shield Razors, a relatively new brand from China, has quickly gained popularity among wet shaving enthusiasts for its high-quality, precision-engineered razors at competitive prices.
Origin and Design:
- Founded by Taibo (Mike) Song, a passionate wet shaver based in Guangdong, China.
- Razors are designed and manufactured in China, often in small batches or even one at a time.
- Primarily known for using Grade 5 titanium, a lightweight and durable material.
- Razors are meticulously machined with excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail.
- Some models feature unique finishes like Cerakote, stonewash, or flame-anodized colors.
- Offer a variety of razor styles, including interesting new adjustable concepts.
