Head/face shave at the sink, this time. This was about 2 hours after my shower. I didn't intend to shave today, but I was anxious to try-out my new Stirling soap that arrived yesterday. So, prep was a quick head/face wash with Lucky Tiger Face wash. I make such a mess at the sink, but it was all good this morning.
Technique: WTG-->XTG-->ATG/clean-up.
Soap: Stirling Soap Co. "Texas on Fire"
Brush: Semogue 1250 Boar
Razor: iKon Shavecraft #102 Slant
Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless Platinum-Coated
Post: Fine Snake Bite After Shave & 1740 Blackout Beard Balm (Death Wish Coffee infused)
Pay-off: Lapsang Souchong Tea from Light of Day Organics
Let's get right to the Stirling Soap. This soap is probably the most thirsty of all the soaps I've used, but when I found the balance, I was in heaven. The scent will likely polarize, but I absolutely enjoyed it. It smells exactly like Lapsang Souchong tea. Stirling has a post shave feel that rivals that of Los Angeles Shaving Soap's products. There was only a light lingering scent on my skin, but the restroom still smells like I had a camp fire in there. Absolutely incredible soap! I'm going to purchase a lot more in case they stop making it.
This was the first time I've used a Feather in the iKon #102. The 102 certainly changed the character of the blade. I really enjoyed the combination. I can't say it beat out my favorite Astra, but it performed at least as well. I can't really make that determination since this was in the presence of a soap that's new to me.
Even though I'd already had 4 cups of coffee this morning, the "Texas on Fire" flung a craving upon me for Lapsang Souchong. For those of you that have never heard of it, I highly recommend you try it for something unique. I won't belabor this thread with
how Lapsang Souchong is made, but I will suggest that if you want to try it, you should get a premium vendor (like
Light of Day Organics) to get a real example of how it's supposed to taste. There are many tea makers that just can't pull it off, and it ends up just tasting like liquid smoke.