Reprise of the Fine slant

I like the Fine slant so much, now that I dialed in the correct angle, that I had to use it again. A good lather from Wholly Kaw’s Monaco Royale, thanks in part to the Fine Classic brush, and then another wonderful shave. This really is a terrific slant. I know the design work was challenging, but the end result is a marvel (though not the Fine Marvel, a different razor). The key for the user is the angle: handle rather far from the face.

Three passes, a perfect result, and a splash of Hâttric to finish the job.

Use these as a writing prompt: Starcraft, Dr. Selby, Lupo, American Blend

I think you might be able to get a fairly intriguing science-fiction story using those four as a starting point for plot development. What I got was quite a good shave. Dr. Selby’s 3X Concentrated Shave Cream, a product of Uruguay, is excellent, and the Starcraft is a fine brush albeit somewhat larger than my preferred size. Still, it does a fine job and the lather is really wonderful, with a light lavender fragrance.

The Lupo, nicely made of an anodized aluminum alloy, is a very efficient razor and easily produced a very smooth result, to which I applied a good splash of Fine’s American Blend. The day is well begun.

This being the first of the month, I used FutureMe.org to write myself two email letters, one to be delivered 30 April 2020 — the end of this month — containing my guesses about what the month will bring in terms of the pandemic (and in that connection, it’s worth looking at Kevin Drum’s daily posts on coronavirus growth in Western countries — here’s today’s chart. I also included some resolutions regarding new habits I plan to establish this month, so the letter will also serve as a check-up.

The other letter will be delivered 1 April 2021 — a year from now. In that letter I describe my current situation (physical, morale, outlook, organizational) and the usual list: hopes, dreams, and fears; strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats; and specific goals (weight, walking, reading, and the like).

A great shave and a fine-bristled brush

I noticed (perhaps again) how very fine are the bristles of this Yaqi brush. The synthetic knot is in a “Target Shot” pattern, modeled (I’m told) on the quadrant aiming pattern used by submarines in WWII. I shook out all excess water and got an excellent lather from Phoenix Artisan’s Avo Nice Shave shaving soap.

The Yaqi DOC razor, in a cammo pattern to match the brush handle, is an very good razor and I easily achieved a BBS result in three smooth and trouble-free passes. A splash of Avo Nice Shave aftershave, and I’m back to unpacking and organizing.

I figure out the Fine slant — now it’s a favorite. One little change in technique…

First, of course, comes the prep: wash my (two-day) stubble with MR GLO, then a very pleasant and fragrant lather with Tallow + Steel’s take on bay rum, using the Kent BK4, a lovely brush with a light touch.

Next, I finally found the groove with the Fine slant, which I can wholeheartedly recommend as not only extremely efficient but also — now — very, very comfortable. Previously, I had found that it would throw off the occasional nick, but that was because I was making an elementary error: bad blade angle. This morning I focused on keeping more of the cap on my face — aiming for the blade angle of the Baby Smooth, for example — which I did by keeping the handle a little farther from my face than I had.

It was night (previously) and day (now): totally comfortable, totally non-threatening, and a fantastic shave. This razor has now jumped in the first rank among my razors, and I can recommend it without reservation — well, one reservation: keep the handle away from your face so more of the cap contacts the skin. Wait, two reservations: keeping the handle away from your face and use a very light touch: that’s all it needs.

What a terrific razor! I’m very pleased with it. I’ll be using it again soon.

A splash of Grog, and I went to the supermarket for another batch of greens to cook.

Ah, the iKon 101 — what a pleasure!

My Omega 20102 made a wonderful lather from LA Shaving Soap Company’s Vanilla/Eucalyptus/Mint shaving soap — and a fine soap it is, one of those standards everyone should try.

I’ve been told that the 101 is becoming scarce. It’s out of stock on the iKon site, and Maggard doesn’t have it. I suggest that if you come across one that’s for sale, snap it up. It’s a wonderful razor. (And perhaps iKon will replenish its supply post-pandemic.) The shave is extremely comfortable as well as extremely efficient — one of my favorite razors.

Three passes, smooth face, and a splash of Krampert’s Finest Acadian Bay Rum to complete the job.

The weekend begins on a very nice note. Hope yours is the same.

RazoRock and Rockwell

A comforting shave to end the week: Everything shown works so well. There’s little more to add: it was the sort of shave that is just what I thought/imagined/hoped shaving would be like: warm, comfortable, fragrant, and in a way fulfilling.

Today will be a slow migration of items to their places (places, I should add, subject to revision). I solved the razor storage problem (they formerly resided in a razor drawer in the bathroom, but no such drawer in this bathroom) by make a little razor village on top of the dresser where they stand in serried ranks assembled.

Order emerging from disorder: a satisfying process — at least to me.

Phoenix Solstice and the vintage white Bakelite Merkur slant

I’m having problems with the lighting, as you can see. I’ll get it sorted in time.

In the meantime, Ifeel like a cheering shave was needed, so I returned to Solstice. The Solar Flare seems the appropriate brush to use, and in keeping with the color scheme and the desire for comfort, the white bakelite slant seemed a good choice — and indeed, it did a wonderful job (as it always does). Good lather, fine shave, fragrant aftershave: a good start.

And I have a new post on Meidum, pandemic-related.