- User
- bberg100
Welcome to Bill's shave wiki.
I started shaving in the mid '70s. I would use my Dad's Super Adjustable after he went to work, I always thought I was sneaky about it and he was none the wiser. For my 15th or 16th birthday he gave me my own Super Adjustable and said now you won't be screwing my blades up all the time. Busted. He also gave me a red ball hot top, it snapped onto a standard Foamy can and dispensed wonderful warm lather.
The Trac II came out about this time too. Every cool kid had to have one, It was the first of many free razors to arrive in the mail. The early Trac II refused to rinse clean, repeated banging against the sink was required to clear it, resulting in less than spectacular shaves. To the trash it went fairly quick.
When I got to basic training it became clear a locker inspection was not going to be passed with a used razor, no matter how much time you put into detailing it the TI would find a microscopic bit of soap scum and fail the locker. A new Bic disposable every inspection day was the trick, so the Super Adjustable went bye-bye. I shaved with the Bics for a bit. At some point another Trac II showed up in the mail and I used it for a long time. Then the Mach 3 started arriving in the mail, I often wondered if Gillette was targeting military or if it was just dumb luck. We moved about 5 years ago, I found 8 Mach 3 handles in the bathroom drawers and know I didn't buy a single one, and I'm sure several were tossed out during other moves through the years too.
A few electrics came and went. I always liked the shave off a new electric, but never would replace the heads. After a couple years the razor burn would become noticeable and back to wet shaving I would go. Another Super Adjustable made a brief appearance, along with the Mach 3s that continually arrived in the mail. As long as the freebies kept coming I couldn't see spending money on razors. I also shaved only when I had to, never on a day off and not on a duty day if I thought I could slide by.
Through the years I frequently experimented with a brush and soap, usually Williams, sometimes Old Spice. Since this was pre-B&B or YouTube, I made the assumption you dropped the puck in a mug and attacked it with a wet brush. Mounds of lather soon followed, and this is still my preferred lather making method today. While they worked extremely well for me, shaving was a chore to get over and done with as quick as possible, so Foamy and Edge were my normal go to products.
After retiring from the USAF, a change to Law Enforcement had me shaving every day for 15 years. Hated every minute of it, kept swapping between a Mach 3 and a Norelco. A few years ago I caught Rick Harrison peddling the Micro Touch One on late night TV. Knowing better than to order off of any TV "call right now" commercial, I hit the internet to see what was available. A Parker 99R, TOBS Sandalwood, and a VDH boar were soon on the way, then a bit later I stumbled across the Badger and Blade. As they say, the rest is history.
Listed here are the items I use and my general impressions.
Razors
Double Edge Razors
I am gonna get shot here, but I typically get a better shave from new razors than the vintage Gillette. About the only exceptions are the Super Adjustable and NEW. Fun to collect and try though. I am not a hoarder, I only have one of each of these. When I come across one in better condition I sell off, or PIF, the previous one. It irks me to see guys with 32 FatBoy razors, or whatever, stashed in a box while other folks can't get one.Edwin Jagger
Razor DOM Note DE89Lbl 2014 More aggressive than a Super Speed, but not as much as my Parker 99R.
Good all around razor.Fatip
Razor DOM Note Grande 2015 Gunmetal finish. Fairly aggressive, easy BBS. Finish failed after a few shaves,
GunKote Gunmetal Blue now!Gillette
Razor Code DOM Note Aristocrat -- 48-50 With box, good condition - lots of lacquer wear. I get great shaves, solid
DFS to BBS with ease.Fat Boy E3 3Q59 Birthday razor. I don't really care for it, All metal Super Adjustable is a much
better razorLady I1 1Q63 Blue Star NEW LC -- 29-41 Odd set, handle is probably from a NEW Deluxe. Good shave, easy DFS NEW SC -- 29-41 GunKote. One of my top Gillettes. Solid, easy DFS - BBS Old Type -- 20-28 Harsh and unforgiving Single Ring 460-B -- 1916 Better than the Old Type I have Slim H2 2Q62 Like new. Great shaver, I like it better than a Fatboy. Super Adjustable U1 1Q74 All metal, later versions had plastic base plates. Possibly my favorite Gillette,
what I started shaving with in the mid '70s. Beats the Fatboy & Slim by a
wide margin.Super Speed - 40s X4 4Q52 I like better than the 50's SS Super Speed - Black Handle P4 4Q70 Too light & mild Super Speed - 40s Black Tip W3 3Q51 Mild, but usable. Aluminum handle, lightweight. Super Speed - Blue Tip B3 3Q56 Too light & mild Super Speed - Flare Tip
E2 2Q59 PIF away when I scored an E3 Super Speed - Flare Tip E3 3Q59 Birthday razor. Can give a good shave, prep and take my time Super Speed - Red Tip C4 4Q57 Can be harsh, not my favorite, but usable Tech, Ball End Y4 4Q53 Tough to get a good shave, too mild Tech, Ball End, Gold -- 46-50 Long slot Tech, Ball End, Gold Y4 4Q53 NOS Full size travel set with brush and soap Tech, Ball End, Travel K1 1Q65 Short handle, compact leather travel set Tech, Ball End, Travel L1 1Q66 NOS short handle, compact tin travel set Tech, Fat Handle -- 39-46 Triangle slot, works better than newer Techs Muhle
Razor DOM Note R-41 Grande 2013 BBS every time! Parker
Razor DOM Note 3-piece 2014 Custom lignum vitae handle, fairly aggressive, consistent BBS
(I get the heads from The Golden Nib)99R 2013 One of my favorites. Heavy, long handle, more aggressive than a Super
Speed, very nice to use. If I am traveling and only taking one razor, this is it.
(Great shaves and easy to replace if need be)RazoRock
Razor DOM Note Jaws 2015 Heavy brass handle, Parker 24C head. Very nice, medium aggressive. Rockwell
RR-6S 2015 Stainless, multi base plate. Real danger of becoming my daily driver, EASY
BBS with GSB every time!Weishi
-------------------------------------------------------
Razor DOM Note 9306 2013 About the same as my 40s Super Speed, does OK Single Edge Razors
I really like a good single-edge razor. Keep the cap almost flat on the face
and shave away!Christie
Razor DOM Note Massage Bar 24-30s Like new, box, instructions, one NOS Kriss Kross blade left. Tried it, once.
Used a NOS Kriss Kross blade. Didn't finish.
Supposedly can use injector blades, I can't get one to stay put in it!Colonial Razors
Razor DOM Note The General 2017 Feather/KAI blades. Solid brass, somewhat rough finish right off the
lathe/mill, no polish. 130g, balance is very much to the handle, somewhat
awkward to use. Very mild, BBS is doable, but requires effort.
After a few months in and out of use, it has clawed its way into the top 10.Enders
Razor DOM Note Speed 30-40 NOS, box, instructions, blades (sealed) GEM
Razor DOM Note 1912 1920s Aggressive, but very smooth, easy BBS.
Compliments of Ben Franklin Hotel, Philadelphia.
1926 SesquiCenntenial Exposition1912 Damaskeene 1916 Heavy, short handle Featherweight Gold Too mild, hard to get a BBS without irritation G-Bar 40s-50s Very nice Junior, Fat Handle, Gold 1912 with a fat handle... Micromatic Bullseye 38-40s "Bullet Tip" Shaves about like the G-Bar Micromatic Clog Pruf 41+ Gold, NOS, complete with blades, tags Micromatic Clog Pruf 41+ Nickle, heavy wear, user grade. Very nice shaver. Micromatic Open Comb 29-38 Like new "Antenna Handle", another easy BBS Push-Button 50s User grade, too light & mild for me RazoRock
Razor DOM Note Black Hawk 2016 Feather AC blades, super lightweight. Great shaver. Rolls
Razor DOM Note Viscount '50s NOS, pristine, full docs Shick
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Razor DOM Note Injector "G1" 50-53 User grade, leatherette case, key Injector "G1" 50-53 Very nice, clean red plastic case. Very user friendly, simple BBS. Injector "I" 54-58 Took a while to master, now I really like it, milder than the "G1" Straight Razors
A master of straight razor shaving I am not, but I do enjoy the challenge.
Problem is not really the shaving, but the honing and maintaining the edge.
No one can roll off an edge like I can!
Razor Model DOM Note Bengall 5/8 pre 1891 Swedish Genco Seneca Chief 1916-35 Nice, Geneva Cutlery Gold Dollar 66 modern Modded for 2016 competition. Shaves pretty well. Gold Dollar 208 modern Big and heavy, hones OK, shaves so-so. I have a couple I've modded. Pabst & Kohler 555 1920-40 My current favorite. Easy to hone, easy to maneuver
Blades
Double Edge
Retired
Brand Label Origin Note 7 AM Plus Hi Platinum India Astra Super Platinum Russia Smooth and consistent Derby Extra Super Stainless Turkey Usable, better choices there are... Dorco
Micro Touch
Vietnam
Do not like them, will not replace them Feather Hi-Stainless Japan Over rated. They are a good blade, not as fearsome as some would lead
you to believe.Gillette 7 O'Clock Sharp Edge Russia Yellow pack, very sharp, first shave can be somewhat harsh, settles into
a nice shave for the next 3-4 runs.Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Platinum India Black pack, smooth and sharp. Hard to find. Gillette Silver Blue Russia My #1 Laser Ultra India Very nice first shave, fades fast after that. 2-3 max. Lord Big Ben Egypt Very inconsistent, one blade will be OK, next one is horrid. Even the good
ones are far from great.Merkur Super Germany I don't get the negative hype. Very nice 3 shaves and toss. Personna Blue USA Maybe sharper than GSB, but not as smooth. 3-4 good shaves. Rapira Stainless Russia Very nice, another one with a solid 3-4 shaves for me. Rockwell Stainless ?? Swedish stainless. Feels like a Dorco. Lots of tugging, inconsistent. Shark Super Chrome Egypt Can be harsh, fairly sharp, very usable. Usually I get 3 shaves before
tossing out.Treet Platinum Pakistan I like these, not my #1, but very usable. Voshkhod Teflon Russia Very nice. 4 good shaves or so. Wilkinson Sword Classic Germany Nothing special, seem to be short lived Single Edge
Brand Label Origin Note ASR Gem Personna USA First shave may be a little rough, settles in for many great ones Exchange Injector Platinum Chrome USA Made by ASR. Ten+ good shaves is the norm. Feather AC Professional Japan Very nice, 7-10, sometimes a couple more, shaves before tossing. Shick Injector China Not as nice as the ASR blades
Brushes
I used to prefer boars, but after getting a couple NICE badgers, I am really
appreciating their qualities. Still reach for a boar a couple mornings a week.
Synthetics are OK, but they tend to dribble water on my chest.
Retired
Brand Model Hair Size Note Art of Shaving Badger, Best PIF'ed away Art of Shaving Badger, Pure Trial Floppy Body Shop Synth Meh, small size is good for travel kit Burma Shave Boar Fair knot, a tad better than my VDH. You do know Burma Shave only
made brushless creams, right?Captain's Choice Silvertip 24x50mm Boom. A badger that I may like better than boars! Solid,lots of
backbone. Hefty aluminum handle.Custom Lignum Vitae Badger, Grade A Silvertip 22mm TGN knot, big, floppy, soft, too soft. Like using a mop. Custom Norfolk Pine Boar 24mm The Golden Nib, love these knots Custom Osage Orange Badger, Best 20mm Woodcraft. Cheap knots, tend to disintegrate after several months. But,
can get them locally, and cheap. Use silicone caulk so easy to replace when
needed.Custom Acrylic Razor Badger, Best 20mm Woodcraft - see above Custom Zircote Badger, Best 20mm Woodcraft - see above Ever-Ready C40 Boar Really could use a reknot Mowhawk 3-338 Boar TGN knot, lots of backbone, great knot Omega 10066 Boar 24x56 Decent brush, dedicated to my "smokey" soaps. Omega Professional 10049 Boar 25x63 Was my favorite brush Rudy Vey Shavemac Finest Badger 23mm Sweet, great backbone. Semogue Excelsior 830 Boar 23x55 Great boar Simpson Wee Scot Badger 14x35 Great, amazing little brush Stirling Kong Synth 26mm Super brush, dribbles water if too wet VanDerHagen Deluxe Boar VanDerHagen Luxury Boar
Pre-shave
Pre-shave products are either snake oil hokum, or magic stuff, depends on
your point of view and there is little middle ground. I really like using a pre-
shave oil, it leaves me with a much better face feel. A few DROPS of oil, not
the spoonfuls you see on some videos, thoroughly massaged into the face
conditions the skin allowing it to flow around the razor and blade (no, it does
not make the shave slicker). If you get an oil slick in the sink, or a greasy brush,
or nasty razor, you are using way too much. I find it takes a few days for the
effect to become apparent, and when I go away and forget the oil, after a few
days my face feels raw after a shave.
Retired
Brand Scent Type Note Art of Shaving Sandalwood Oil Very sticky - use LOTS of hot water. Works very well, aroma lingers all day. Art of Shaving Unscented Oil ditto Blades Grim Smolder Oil Pipe tobacco smoke aroma, nice, but lasts too long. Decent oil, thicker than
my home made, not as think as AoS. Neither like nor dislike.Homemade Oil Olive, Grapeseed, Jojoba, Castor oil equal parts. Slick and needs no added
water, no lingering aroma. I have added essential oils for aroma, but prefer
it scentless.Dove Men +Care Face Wash Soap Handy for traveling Noxema Classic Clean A little goes a long ways, works great Varies Olive oil and/or glycerin body bar Soap Wash and prep in one
Soaps and Creams
I started shaving in the 70s. A wet brush seemed natural and I still use a
sopping wet brush to load the lather today. If I can't get a good shave from
a soap no one can. The quality of the shave is more important than how
thick the lather can be. Scent is also a biggie for me, like food, if it doesn't
smell good the brain tells me it isn't good.
Retired or Used Up
Brand Scent Type Note African Black Soap Shea Butter Cream Cream Tossed out - Lousy, greasy, nasty Arko Soap Everyone has to have some in the den.
Great Monday soap, lathers without effort.Art of Shaving Lavender Cream Very nice, lots of great lather, very good scent. Art of Shaving Lemon Cream Great lather, don't care for the scent, smells "artificial" or chemical to me. Art of Shaving Sandalwood Cream Love it, lots of smell, lots of lather. Art of Shaving Unscented Cream Great lather, blah to use. Barberry Coast Bay Rum Soap Glycerin melt-n-pour. Very nice soap, slick. Great match to Ogallala Bay
Rum After Shave. Used about half the puck then lost it.Barrister & Mann Seville Soap Very slick. Very thirsty. Great barbershop scent. C.O. Bigelow Eucalyptus Cream Use it for travel. Proraso Green in a cream. Captain's Choice 45th Parallel Soap Good stuff. Cherry almond scented. Captain's Choice Bay Rum Soap Great soap, my favorite from the Captain, favorite Bay Rum hands down! Captain's Choice Lime Soap Good stuff, low linger. Captain's Choice North Soap Very soft, great scent, medium linger. Captain's Choice Sandalwood Soap Great scent, great lather. Captain's Choice Venture Soap Great scent, great lather. Aventus inspired. Catie's Bubbles A Midnight Dreary Croap Nice, earthy smell. Low linger. Slick & nice. Catie's Bubbles Glace Herbe Croap Faint menthol, faint scent, good lather though. Catie's Bubbles La Terre Verte Croap Great stuff, love the scent. Medium linger. Catie's Bubble Tactical Croap Fantastic shave, gun oil/solvent notes, lots of linger. Cella Almond Croap Nice, great lather. Crabtree & Evelyn Indian Sandalwood Soap Lousy lather - shower duty. Crabtree & Evelyn Nomad Soap Love the scent, good slick lather. Old formula Crabtree & Evelyn West Indian Lime Soap Lousy lather - shower duty Cremo Sandalwood Cream "Lathering" formula in a tub. Scent is nonexistent, lather dissipates quickly, slickness
is not there. Usable, but that's all it has.Dr. Bronner's Organic Soap A very thin, watery soap in a tube. Lathers OK, requires lots of water.
Shave is so-so with a fair bit of drag. Pass it by, get KMF if you want
organic vegan with a good shave.DR Harris Arlington Soap Classic hard English soap, a little light on the scent, very slick. Edwin Jagger Sea Buckthorn Soap Soft soap, good scent, thin lather. I really tried to like this, used it
periodically over two years, eventually tossed it. Couldn't get a
decent shave for whatever reason.Fine Accoutrements American Blend Soap Love the smell, great soap very similar to Tabac Haslinger Salbie Soap Sage (low scent), great lather, great glide Haslinger Schafmilch Soap Lanolin, great lather, great glide, maybe #1 Herban Cowboy Dusk Soap Good scent, worst soap I have bought - shower duty Kiss My Face Cool Mint Cream Decent lather, good scent, nice glide. Mix with Arko and kill a shave! Kiss My Face Green Tee & Bamboo Cream Decent lather, so-so scent, nice glide. Mix with Arko and kill a shave! Kiss My Face Lavender Cream Decent lather, good scent, nice glide. Mix with Arko and kill a shave! Mitchell's Wool Fat Soap Great, mounds of creamy, thick lather. Neutrogena Cream Lather less, OK for touchups. Ogallala Bay Rum Soap Glycerin. Nice match to the splash, good lather & slickness. Old Spice India Cream Little scent, nice lather. Old Spice Shuton Soap Great stuff. Not much scent, but lots of slick, creamy, lather. Well worth finding. Was my favorite soap in the 80s. Palmolive Classic Soap Works, not a favorite. Grated into a puck, still so-so. Pre de Provence No. 63 Soap Hard milled French soap, great scent. great lather. Proraso Green Croap Solid performer. Razorock CC Bay Rum Soap Almost a croap, great scent, great lather. Saint Charles Shave Oakmoss Lavendula Soap Mild scent, very nice lather. Soap Commander Courage Soap Great scent, kind of peppery. Takes a lot of loading to get a decent shave. Spinster Sister Sandalwood Soap Three different formulas, none lathered, none were slick - shower duty Stirling Barbershop Soap Fantastic scent Stirling Black Ice Soap High menthol, licorice scent. LOVE IT!! Stirling Executive Man Soap Nice, very nice. Creed Aventus inspired. Stirling Glacial, Lemon Chill Soap WOW!!! Tears while shaving, by third pass the face freeze is in full effect! Stirling Glacial, Obsidian Soap WOW!!! Tears while shaving, by third pass the face freeze is in full effect! Stirling Margaritas in the Artic Soap Nice scent, medium menthol Stirling Ozark Mountain Soap What shave soap should smell like, reordered! Kind of a woodsy holiday
scent.Stirling Sandalwood Soap A very nice smelling sandalwood, somewhere between Captain's
Choice and AoS.Stirling Scots Pine Sheep Soap I love a good lanolin based soap, this is made with mutton tallow, with
added lanolin. Slick! Very nice pine scent too!Stirling Sharp Dressed Man Soap Blew through two samples, now have the 5.8oz jar. Green Irish Tweed inspired. Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood Soap Nice Tabac Soap Easy to make lots of creamy, thick lather. Smells like a barbershop to me. Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Soap Classic hard soap, great scent, good lather. The Holy Black Gunpowder & Spice Soap Heavy Spice, with a little black powder scent in the background! Lather
builds fast and slick. Great soap!The Holy Black Mountain Man Soap Smoky goodness, with a little forest scent in the background! I keep
smelling the smoke for hours, hard to rinse smoke out of the brush, I dedicated
an Omega to it. Lather builds fast and slick. Great soap!The Real Shave Co Scented Cream Love the scent, easy to lather. Van Der Hagen Deluxe Soap So-so - shower duty Van Der Hagen Luxury Soap So-so. Love the scent, easy to lather. Victory Shaving Company Flight Engineer Soap Bamboo-Ginger-Coconut. Very nice, easy to lather. Fantastic scent, very
hard long lasting. Reminds me of hard French soaps. Local veteran owned.Victory Shaving Company Navigator Soap Tobacco and Bay Leaf. Very nice, easy to lather, very hard long lasting.
Weakest scent of the four I have, still very nice to use. Local veteran owned.Victory Shaving Company Pilot Soap Sandalwood and Cedar with a hint of Jasmine and Bergamot. Very nice,
easy to lather, very hard long lasting. Reminds me of hard French soaps.
Fantastic scent, not your typical Sandalwood.
Local veteran owned.Victory Shaving Company Radio Operator Soap Red cedar - oakmoss - patchouli. Very nice, easy to lather. Fantastic scent,
very hard long lasting. Reminds me of hard French soaps.
Local veteran owned.Vulfix Lavender Cream Great lather, scent OK, with a heavy soap 2nd note. Wife says there is a
lot of musk there too, I don't smell it.Vulfix Sicilian Lime Cream Great lather, great scent Wild West Shaving Co Black Gold Soap Black Cardamom, Black Pepper, Eucalyptus, Cashmere, Amber, Patchouli,
Sandalwood, Bergamot, Green Apple, Geranium. Great, strong scent.
Average to above average lathering, packaged in 2oz chew can, a little tough
to load from.Wild West Shaving Co Black Sails Soap Eucalyptus, Cashmere, Amber, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Bergamot, Green
Apple, Geranium. Great, strong scent, my fave so far. Average to above
average lathering, packaged in 2oz chew can, a little tough to load from.Wild West Shaving Co The Outlaw Soap Leather, Gunpowder & Burnt Honey. Great scent, milder than the other
WWSC I have. Average to above average lathering, packaged in 2oz chew
cans, a little tough to load from.Williams Soap Nothing shaves like it, lots and lots and lots of water, lather on the puck.
Will not replace
Post-shave
An aftershave has to have alcohol and some bite. I have a couple balms, rarely use them. I do use witch hazel on my entire face after a shave to help with breakouts from wearing a full-face CPAP mask each night. I can't remember the last time I used the alum block, never cared for the dry, scaly feeling it leaves me with.
Retired
Brand Scent Type Note Aqua Velva Ice Blue Splash The basic drugstore aftershave. Gotta always have a bottle on hand. Aqua Velva Musk Splash Me likey, not an everyday scent though. Art of Shaving Alum Don't like the dry, scaly feeling. Witch hazel is a better option for me. Art of Shaving
Lavender Gel Don't care for it, leaves my face sticky all day PIF'd away Art of Shaving Sandalwood Balm Great stuff, scent is a bit overpowering Art of Shaving Unscented Balm Avon Blend 7 Splash Fougere, tobacco, leather. Bad combo. Avon Everest Splash Citrus, lavender, and a whole bunch of other scents. Not quite yuch, but close Avon Leather Splash A classic leather aftershave. Good linger. Avon Oland Splash Bay Rum meets Leather & Tobacco. Bam. Avon Sure Winner Splash Not sure what it is supposed to clone? Very meh scent, no staying power. I can see why it was a short run. Avon Tai Wind Splash Hai Karate clone. Decent scent, low linger. Avon Wild Country Splash & Balm Long time Avon best selling scent for a reason. Barbasol Pacific Rush Splash Fair bit of menthol, sweet note I don't care for Bootlegger Arctic Lime Blast Splash Equal parts Pinaud Lime Sec & Osage Rub Bootlegger Bay Rum Splash Equal parts Virgin Island & Masters & Superior 70 bay rums. Mild, but
better than the sum of the parts.Bootlegger Green Freeze Splash Equal parts Skin Bracer & Osage Rub Bootlegger Lime Bay Rum Splash A nice addition to Bootlegger Bay Rum Brut Classic Splash Rather clingy, go sparingly Captain's Choice 45th Parallel Splash Good stuff, cherry almond scent, low linger. Captain's Choice Bay Rum Splash Great Captain's Choice Cat 'O Nine Tails Splash Yeah dog. Bay Rum with a kick, more than Ogallala! Captain's Choice Lime Splash Very nice, needs to linger longer! Captain's Choice North Splash Great, juniper/pine scent Captain's Choice Sandalwood Splash Very nice Captain's Choice Venture Splash Aventus inspired doTERRA Amavi Balm Low linger, great feel. EO of Buddha Wood, Melaleuca, Balsam Fir, Peppermint, and Litsea. A must try if you can find a doTERRA dealer. Fine Accoutrements American Blend Splash Super, great feel. The barbershop scent I've been seeking! Fine Accoutrements Platinum Splash Creed Aventus clone. Super, not over the top, good for low scent events. Fine Accoutrements Santal Absolut Splash Sandalwood, very similar to Art of Shaving. Heavy linger, but not
overpowering.Gillette Cool Wave Splash A favorite. Can be overdone, go easy Gillette Fusion Proglide Balm Boring, but feels good. Humphrey's Citrus W/H No alcohol, low scent Humphrey's Cucumber Melon W/H No alcohol, low scent Lucky Tiger Splash Feels nice, no lingering scent, good for base coat Masters Bay Rum Spalsh Meh. Low scent. Mennen Skin Bracer Splash Classic scent Ogallala Bay Rum Splash Could be an every day item. Heavy vanilla hit, the settles into a nice
cowboy style bay rum, almost a veggie note. Great face feel.Ogallala Vanilla Bay Rum Splash Meh. Some Vanilla, little Bay Rum. Feels like water on my face. Not
nearly as potent as the straight Bay Rum.Old Spice Splash Another long time drug store classic. Old Spice Vintage Splash Slightly more subtle than new, longer linger Pinaud Citrus Musk Splash Tolerable, wife really likes. Pinaud Clubman Splash The aftershave baseline Pinaud Lilac Vegetal Splash Pre '75 - Not chosen, nice glass bottle though Pinaud Lime Sec Splash OK scent, needs to grow on me. Wife kinda likes it. Pinaud Osage Rub Splash Don't care for it on my face, great for mixing Bootleggers and good on
scalp for a cool-down.Pinaud Special Reserve Splash Leather & spice. A man's man scent. Going to the horse track, rescuing damsels
in distress, lumberjack tournament, etc. Not for the faint of heart.Pinaud Virgin Island Bay rum Splash Big Bay Rum fan, this doesn't grab me. Stetson Splash Almost a cologne Stirling British Leather Splash Meh. Low power, low leather scent, better leathers out there. Stirling Executive Man Splash Creed Aventus clone. Nice scent, great feel. Low staying power. Stirling Glacial, Lemon Chill Splash Pow! Doesn't linger Stirling Glacial, Obsidian Splash Pow! Short scent life Stirling Gatlinburg Splash Short scent life, unsure if I like or not. Stirling Sharp Dressed Man Splash Green Irish Tweed clone! NIce! Stirling Texas on Fire Splash Pow! Over the top smoke, almost intolerable. However, after dry down a great fresh cut Cedar and campfire scent. Love it! Superior 70 Bay Rum Splash Very low scent, very boring T N Dickenson Unscented W/H Prefer Thayers, very raw W/H smell Thayers Lavender W/H Nice feel, nice short aroma Thayers Lemon (Astringent) W/H Nice feel, nice short aroma Thayers Rose W/H Nice feel, nice short aroma
Fragrances
I'm not a big user of colognes. Very few smell good to me, it seems all the
new ones have a very "sweet" note to them that turns me off.
Brand Scent Type Note Drakkar Noir EdT Special events only Old Spice (vintage) Cologne Low power, good for work. Tabac Cologne I really like Tabac scent, could wear daily
Hair Products
I am cursed with a CPAP machine, the mask harness makes my hair stand out in bizarre ways. For years I just cut my hair super close and lived with it. Recently, with a career change, I decided to grow it out. I am finding pomades
work well to tame the harness hair. I also had a rather bushy "western" style mustache, a little wax is needed to tame it, another new job caused the mustache to be trimmed.
Jun '17 - gone is the longer hair, still hate it, still can't control it. Back to growing the mustache a bit though.
Brand Label Type Note Badger Navigator Class Mustache Wax Soft wax. Easy to work in, low holding power. Good for touch-ups during the day Clubman Mustache Wax More of a paste, easy to work into mustache base. Combs well Firehouse Light Mustache Wax Very hard, very tacky. Difficult to work into mustache base, great on tips Home made Mustache Wax 50/50 beeswax/coconut oil. Softer than Badger, easy to work in, light hold. Brylcreem Pomade Mineral oil based. Medium hold, low scent, makes my hair look oily. Dove Pomade Water based. Medium hold, medium barbershop kind of scent. Combs out. Fisticuffs Tuff Hold Pomade Water based. Holds well, low scent. Combs out unless water is added.
Hair looks wet. This one and the Dove are about identical.Layrite Grooming Spray Hairspray Nice smell. Light body, hair needs to be damp. Combs OK. Hair looks most
natural of any product I use.Old Spice Pomade Petro based. Light hold, almost invisible. Cannot comb later, have to reapply. Sibel Barburys Pomade Water based. Very stiff & gritty. Holds like glue, hard to comb out. Suavecito Firme Pomade Water based. Holds very well, floral scent. Combs later in the day (dry).
Retired
Pens
I used a few fountain pens in high school (1970s) and never again, until I
stumbled into the Nib a while back. As usual, I had to dive in head first. My
penmanship is somewhere south of lousy, been working at it and can do a
reasonable scrawl when need be.
Brand Model Material Type Nib Note Arnold Celluloid (orange streak) Lever M Really a fine writer. Real small and light. Cross Aventura Plastic (black) Cartridge/Converter M Lightweight, easy writer, non-posting J. Herbin Glass (red) Dip Pen Fun. Jinhao X750 Metal (black matte) Cartridge/Converter M Very nice for the price. Medium nib is very fat & wet. Replaced with
Goulet Ultra-XF, now it is a great pen!Karas Kustoms Fountain K Aluminum (blue) Cartridge/Converter XF Heavy duty work pen, lots of fine writing in log books Noodler's Charlie Clear plastic Eyedropper M Have a couple, freebies from Noodler's with 4.5 oz bottle purchase.
Very light, very slim. Likes to burp, but writes quite well.
(Keep napkin handy!)Pilot Metropolitan Metal (purple) Cartridge/Converter F Very nice, very fine. Great for a carry pen Platinum Preppy Clear plastic Eyedropper Felt Fine point. I have several, take two to work with Black and Red inks to
make price/info tags. Beats the worn out Sharpies everyone else uses!Woodcraft El Grande White Smoke Ring Acrylic Cartridge/Converter M Scritchy, almost fine nib. To big for carry. Woodcraft El Grande Osage Orange Cartridge/Converter M Scritchy too. Woodcraft Continental Lacewood Cartridge/Converter M Heavyweight, nice, non-posting. Woodcraft Continental Blue Acrylic Cartridge/Converter M Heavyweight, nice, non-posting. Woodcraft Kojent Copper Haze acrylic Cartridge/Converter F Very nice writer, hefty Woodcraft Kojent Lacewood Cartridge/Converter F Wetter than the other Kojent, still a great writer.
Inks
Heads up! I'm partially red/green color blind so my color choices & descriptions
may seem a little odd to others.
Retired or sample
Brand Color Style Note Cross Black Standard black ink, very wet, can wick with ease. (Allegedly Pelikan ink) Cross Black Cartridge Black, proprietary, small Diamine Ancient Copper (brown) Nice. Good flow, smooth. Minimal wicking. Diamine Apple Glory (green) Great shading, a little fussy to write with Diamine Imperial Purple Very wet, solid color, some shading J. Herbin Lie de The (brown) Meh. Too light for a brown, too wet. Inconsistent flow MontBlanc Leo Tolstoy (sky blue) Very nice, solid dark blue. Flows great, well behaved. Gotta buy! Noodler's Army Green Undecided. Wet and wicks a lot. Looks orangish to me. Noodler's Eel Blue American Lubricated I like it, flows nice, little to no wicking. Really stands out on the page. Noodler's Eel Rattlers Red Lubricated Wet and dark, what red should be. Minimal wicking. Noodler's Dragon's Napalm (orange) Fluorescent Wow, looks dark orange to me. Very wet, needs a fine nib. Noodler's Heart of Darkness (black) Permanent Need a well behaved permanent ink for logs at work. Very wet, loves to
wick on cheap paper.Noodler's Year of the Golden Pig (yellow) Highlighter Fun. Hard to read, great for highlighting/noodling.
TURNS INTO GLOP AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS IN A PEN!
CLEAN IT FREQUENTLYNostalgic Impressions Dark Red Ground Not very dark, no shading, heavy wicking. Lots of grit, clogs nibs. Use dip
pen or felt tip. Been taking to work in a felt Preppie to use up making price
tags! Almost too wet for this too!Pilot Iroshizuku Kon-Peki
(cerulean blue)I really like this for some reason. Pilot Iroshizuku Yama-Guri
(wild chestnut)Great ink. Good flow, medium wet, looks dark brown to me, lightens
under bright light.Pilot Namiki Purple Cartridge I like Imperial Purple better. Too light, no character. Robert & Klingner
Alt Goldrun
(Old Golden Green)
No likey. Too light, too watery, too odd colored.
Sheaffer Skrip Green Nice flow, medium wet, great light green/turquoise color. Sample, had to
buy a bottle!Stipula Saffron (yellow) OK, looks more of a burnt orange than yellow Waterman Serenity Blue Dark Blue. Nice. Period.
Pipes
Pipes
?? English Bulldog Briar PIF from Price, very nice smoker Casillero Billiard Bent Briar Basket pipe, smokes OK, fishing & shop pipe Dr Grabow Duke Rusticated Briar Smaller pipe, good for the drive to work Larrysson B&B LE 2018 #14 Briar Great smoke Mike H Clay & Reed Clay Homemade clay, reed stem. Very nice smoke. Thanks Mike! Missouri Meersham Assorted Cob I have a few cobs, all smoke great, cool dry. Camping/fishing pipes, and goopy aros. Forever stems added to all, major improvement! Savinelli Arcobaleno Smooth Blue 606KS - bent Briar Larger pipe, smooth smoker Savinelli Tre Rusticated 105 - Billiard Briar Smaller pipe, another great drive to work Stanwell Black Diamond 406 - bent Briar Rhodesian. Smooth smoker. Stanwell Black Diamond 52 - straight Briar Billiard. Smaller pipe, tends to run hot Stanwell Brushed Brown 304 - Apple bent Briar Great smoker, favorite pipe. W.O. Larsen LE 2015 - bent Briar Larger pipe, smooth smoker
Tobacco
I prefer non-aro tobaccos. Only local shop is a Smokers Friendly. Carries Sutliff with their rebrand, and a few Peterson. Mostly cigars and cheap cigarettes.
Retired or sample
Ashton Artisan's Blend Virginia, Turkish, Latakia, Perique Very nice & mellow Blenders Gold Royal Cherry Cavendish Tolerable Borkum Riff Bourbon Whiskey Burley, Virginia Yuch. Binned before pouch was finished Carter Hall Burley, Virginia While nothing special, it has become my workshop & fishing smoke Cornell & Diehl Carolina Red Flake Virginia Nice, very nice. Gotta go slow. Cornell & Diehl Haunted Bookshop Burley, Virginia, Perique Nice, very nice. My current goto. Cornell & Diehl Jolly Old St Nicholas Virginia, Cavendish, Perique Nice aro Cornell & Diehl Old Joe Krantz Burley, Virginia, Perique Similar, but different to Haunted Bookshop. A very nice smoke. Cornell & Diehl Old Joe Krantz Red Label Black Cavendish, Burley, Latakia, Virginia, Perique A very nice smoke. OJK amped up. Dunhill London Mixture Virginia, Oriental, Latakia Need to lay in more while it is available, a great all-day smoke! Dunhill Nightcap Virginia, Latakia Need to lay in more while it is available Esoterica Penzance Latakia, Oriental, Turkish, Virginia Sample. Gotta get more. Germain's Medium Flake Virginia Haven't opened GL Pease Chelsea Morning Virginia, Latakia, Orientals, Perique A nice way to start the day GL Pease Gaslight Latakia, Virginia, Oriental Nice patio smoke GL Pease Haddo's Delight Virginia, Perique, Cavendish, Burley A great evening smoke, potent, lots of flavor. GL Pease Quiet Nights Virginia, Oriental, Latakia, Perique Very pleasant L.J. Peretti No. 8 Slice Burley, Perique, Virginia L.J. Peretti Tashkent Latakia, Oriental, Turkish Lane 1-Q Virginia, Black Cavendish OK Lane BCA Black Cavendish, Cavendish Too goopy Lane Half & Half Burley Meh McClelland 5110 Latakia, Oriental, Turkish, Virginia Good stuff! McClelland Christmas Cheer 2013 Virginia Sample McClelland Frog Morton Black Cavendish, Cavendish Very nice McClelland Frog Morton Cellar Virginia, Latakia Very nice. Hording 4oz for a special time. McClelland Frog Morton on the Town Virginias, Latakia, Basma Very nice. Tough call if I like it better than plain Frog Morton McCranies Red Flake 2008 Virginia Orlick Golden Sliced Virginia, Perique Great, mellow. Good for watching movies with the wife. Peter Heinricks Dark Strong Flake Virginias, Burley Oooh. Very nice. Gotta get more! Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake Virginia. Perique, Black Cavendish Very nice. Fold-n-stuff, save the sweet blast for last. Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake Virginia. Perique, hint of Cavendish Very nice. Very similar to Escudo, could become my #1 Peterson Gold Blend Cavendish, Bright & Dark Virginia Peterson Luxury Blend Virginia, Cavendish, Burley Very nice. Not a daily smoke, but a nice change Peterson Old Dublin Latakia, Virginia, Cavendish, Basma Peterson Sherlock Holmes Orange & Red, Brazilian, Mysore Indian Big fan of Doyle's tales, but the tobacco leaves a bit to be desire. Peterson Sunset Breeze Virginia, Burley, Cavendish Meh. Can't get into it. Peterson University Flake Mahogany, Burley, Kentucky Nope. Soaked in PEG. Have to micro it a few seconds before it is smokable. Flavor is so-so. Planta Presbyterian Virginia, Latakia, Turkish Nice and mellow all-day smoke. Sasieni Balkan Macadonia, Latakia, Virginia Very mellow and balanced, thought Balkans were supposed to me more "unique" Scandinavian Drexel VIII Virginia, Perique Received a free pouch with a purchase. Yep, worth every penny. Scandinavian Escudo Virginia, Perique First tobacco when I came back to pipes. A great standard to compare other tobaccos to. Stanislaw Scottish Autumn Virginia Sutliff 150 Mark Twain Cavendish, Burley, Virginia My favorite aro. Clean, burns well, not goopy. Sutliff Crumble Kake Red Virginia Virginia Sutliff - Smoker Friendly Classic Black Cavendish Yuch. Dime sized shred, sticky, wet, goopy. Binned after two tries. Sutliff - Smoker Friendly Jamacian Rum Cavendish Tolerable Sutliff - Smoker Friendly Sweet Natural Cavendish Tolerable Sutliff - Smoker Friendly Vanilla Cavendish Tolerable, not opposed to replacing W.O. Larsen Old Fashioned Virginia, Burley Maple & Chocolate topping. Nice.
Will not replace