Author Topic: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)  (Read 741443 times)

Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1935 on: August 22, 2017, 08:51:47 PM »
L&L Grooming - Champs de Lavande
Ever-Ready 100T | Elite Razor Manchurian
Star 1912 | Gem PTFE
Chatillon Lux - Champs de Lavande
Chatillon Lux - Lavande Poivre EdT


Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1936 on: August 26, 2017, 06:00:24 PM »
The Holy Black - Decadence
Ever-Ready 100T | Elite Razor Manchurian
Gem Damaskeene (1914-1915) | Gem PTFE (2)


Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1937 on: August 28, 2017, 05:28:41 AM »
Oleo Soapworks - Pucker
Wolf Whiskers | Raptor | Black Wolf
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE


Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1938 on: August 29, 2017, 08:34:12 PM »
Jeeves of Hudson Street - Black Tea
Island Bladeworks "Stoya" | Elite Razor Manchurian
Gem Heavy Flat Top | Gem PTFE


*I couldn't decide on which pic to use...


Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1939 on: August 31, 2017, 09:45:20 PM »
Barrister's Reserve - Classic
Ever-Ready 100T | Elite Razor Manchurian
Gem Heavy Flat Top | Gem PTFE
Gillette Sun Up Cologne


Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1940 on: September 04, 2017, 04:47:45 PM »
L&L Grooming - Darkfall 2016
Kent V8 w/vintage badger knot
Gem Heavy Flat Top | Gem PTFE
L&LGrooming - Darkfall EdP (tester)


Darkfall was my first L&L soaps, and since then I've yet to find a fragrance that quite pulls off what this one does.  While the soap and splash do a remarkable job imparting the essence of being deep in a Southern forest in the midst of Fall, the EdP is the full realization of this well-rounded fragrance.  This is literally right up my alley, and living deep in the East Texas woods, I can attest to its accuracy.  The ancient thick spongy substrate from hundreds of years of  fallen oak leaves exudes a very different aroma when the temperature drops below 50°F.  Add to that moisture and moss, and you have me at home.  While neighbors are few and far between around here, everyone has a fireplace or wood stove.  Given our scorching Summers, we're ready for the first cold snap and often fire up the stoves a little early just so we don't miss the opportunity.  Along with the crisp fresh air, the result is a natural accord that's difficult to replicate, but Darkfall pulls it off magnificently.  More importantly, this EdP is so masterfully done that it makes that Southern Fall forest wearable. 

Darkfall opens with a dark and smoky resinous oud (agarwood) sharpened by cinnamon and clove.  I tolerate cinnamon and clove in small doses.  I don't detect the cinnamon and clove so much in the soap or splash, but the EdP is more rounded out in that they're truly realized without being overt.  The cinnamon and clove essence gives a crisp sense of cold air.  This dance between smoky resin balanced by crisp spicy notes gives way after a couple of hours to reveal a heavenly aged oak and amber which sustains for several more hours, never abandoning the spicy and resinous nature of the fragrance.  The smoke also persists but in a gentle, understated nature.  Darkfall quite simply is one of the best Fall and Winter fragrances I've every experienced, and the EdP has proven to be the full realization of this heavenly fragrance.

I was honored that Scott asked me to test this, his first EdP.  He knew I was already a huge fan of his Darkfall soap and splash.  While I find no fault with this current iteration, I am admittedly a big fan of smoky fragrances (for comparison, this doesn't even come close to approaching the smokiness of T+S's Morocco).  It's my understanding Scott is considering decreasing the birch tar as to lessen the initial smoky opening.  So, full disclosure, I didn't pay a dime for the EdP, but I will be purchasing the retail EdP along with a 2017 set of soap and splash when they become available September 19, because I never want to run out of this one.

Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1941 on: September 04, 2017, 04:48:59 PM »
Barrister and Mann - Leviathan
Wolf Whiskers | Raptor | Black Wolf
Gem Heavy Flat Top | Gem PTFE


Offline 120inna55

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1942 on: September 06, 2017, 06:26:36 PM »
Chiseled Face Groomatorium - Sherlock
Ever-Ready 100T | Elite Razor Manchurian
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE


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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1943 on: September 09, 2017, 06:29:50 AM »
Stirling Soap Co. - Gatlinburg
Island Bladeworks "Bullwinkle" | TGN Finest
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE (2)


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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1944 on: September 10, 2017, 05:08:07 PM »
Tallow + Steel | Shag
Island Bladeworks "Bullwinkle" | TGN Finest
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE


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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1945 on: September 12, 2017, 08:22:40 PM »
Tallow + Steel | West Coast IPA
RazoRock 400 | Noir Plissoft
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE


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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1946 on: September 15, 2017, 05:59:43 AM »
L&L Grooming - Blackberry Blossom Bay
Rubberset 200-4 | Omega Boar
Star 1912 | Gem PTFE
Chatillon Lux - Blackberry Blossom Bay


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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1947 on: September 16, 2017, 06:18:01 PM »
Oleo Soapworks - "The Canard" unscented duck fat test base
Island Bladeworks "Stoya" | Elite Razor Manchurian
Gem Heavy Flat Top | Gem PTFE
Folsom & Co. - "Black Powder"


Today I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to test Oleo Soapworks' new duck fat soap base. I've already given the artisan my impressions, and it's my opinion that nothing should be changed about this base.

I pressed the generous sized sample into the bottom of a bowl, and following a shower, I loaded a moderately damp Elite Razor Manchurian knot with ease.  There was very little waste during the load as the foamy stage simply wasn't there.  It went right to dense cream.  I finished the lathering on my face where the cream became paintable in just a few seconds, but I noted it was a bit thirsty.  Dribbling a bit more water directly into the knot yielded a perfect lather.  The first drags of the SE were incredibly slick.  Despite thoroughly rinsing between passes, the residual slickness was such that I felt like I could have made a pass without applying more lather.  However, in the interest of testing, there were no such antics, and I completed a drama-free 3-pass head and face shave that was nothing short of stellar.  My favorite soaps for post-shave feel are Catie's Bubbles and Jeeves.  This "Canard" base is very close to fitting into that realm.  After one use, I think I can say I it edges out one of my other favorites using ass milk, and in every aspect it outperforms the only other duck tallow soap in my den.

The post-shave of this base precludes the need for a post product, but it's still hot and humid here in East Texas, so I used a little simple alcohol/menthol splash courtesy of Folsom & Co.

Further discussions with artisan revealed that feedback on this base was largely positive and similar to my own impressions.  As a result, it would seem this is the final version.  I look forward to purchasing a full retail tub.

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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1948 on: September 20, 2017, 04:52:39 AM »
Tallow + Steel "Boreal"
Island Bladeworks "Bullwinkle" | TGN Finest
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE


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Re: SAFETY Razor Shave of the Day (SOTD)
« Reply #1949 on: September 21, 2017, 07:54:19 PM »
Barrister and Mann - Cologne Russe
Island Bladeworks "Stoya" | Elite Razor Manchurian
Ever-Ready SE | Gem PTFE