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  • September 22, 2025

    • Brush: Grizzly Bay Shire 26mm V18 Fanchurian
    • Razor: Portland Razor Co. The Gryphon 13/16 Wedge Barber's Notch
    • Razor: Portland Razor Co. 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
    • Lather: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Soap
    • Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
    • Aftershave: House of Mammoth - Shire 2 - Splash

    3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.


    This was a test shave of these two Portland Razor Co. razors. It was one of those days that everything came together for a great shaving experience.

    Shave Video

  • September 22nd, 2025

    • Brush: Proraso - Professional Boar
    • Razor: Merkur - 34C
    • Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
    • Lather: Fanzine Saponifications - This is Not a Test - Soap
    • Post Shave: Catie's Bubbles - Top of the World - Aftershave

  • September 22nd, 2025

    • Brush: Ever-Ready - 400 w/Motherload 30mm Synthetic
    • Razor: Gold Dollar Straight Razor (12)
    • Lather: Central Texas Soaps - Down at the River - Soap
    • Post Shave: Chicago Grooming Co. - Frankie & Myrna - Aftershave
    • Post Shave: Dove - Men+Care Ultra-Hydra - Cream

    Welp, yesterday and today (using the same razor) weren't the greatest. I blame the razor, the lather, and my technique :-)

    Since I'm still in the FAFO stage of straight razor shaving, I'm not going to rub the razor on a stone until I've messed around a bit more with different soap bases, etc. I'm sure I'll have some more unsavory shaves before I give up, but that's how we learn.

  • 22.09.2025

    • Brush: TGS Galaxy 26 mm
    • Razor: Razorine Flatboy 73
    • Blade: Tatra
    • Lather: Stirling Soap Co. - Autumn Glory
    • Post-Shave: OAM - Dolce Vita ASB
    • Passes & Info: 2 pass head shave; OK shave except for a cut behind the left ear on the second pass.

    Found some time to shave again as I finally have a few days off in a row.

    Found another notable thing out about the new razor: if you tighten the handle too much, the blade is bent horizontally for a smiling edge! That's probably why my last shave with the Tatra wasn't as efficient as I hoped. This one was way better. So I need to keep in mind to check the blade alignment from all angles when I drop a new one into this razor. Sadly it is very aggressive, a move I usually do to catch all the hairs behind my ear led to a small cut. Ah well, live and learn - at least I had alum.

    It's officially autumn/fall season now and at least here in Germany, we had matching temperatures (~ 12°C with wind). Time to take out Autumn Glory and it didn't disappoint. Stirling is rightfully considered one of the top soapmakers in wetshaving, the base always delivers a smooth lather fast. As for the new aftershave balm: I definitely like this stuff, the gel doesn't leave my scalp greasy and it smells really awesome. It was a bit more intense on the sweetness in comparison to Autumn Glory, but it is very inoffensive and rather charming with its scent. Also leaves the skin feeling good, so far a very great first impression!

  • September 22nd, 2025

    • Brush: Rad Dinosaur Creations "Stardust" - TurnNShave 26mm Shoat
    • Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable (L4, 1966)
    • Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1)
    • Lather: Southern Witchcrafts - Autumn Ash - Soap
    • Post Shave: Southern Witchcrafts - Autumn Ash - Aftershave
    • Post Shave: Stirling - Glacial Unscented - Balm
    • Fragrance: Southern Witchcrafts - Autumn Ash - EdP

    A nice close shave with some great scents for the first day of fall. I do with our weather were a little cooler though. Tomorrow the high is supposed to be around 90!

    Have a great Monday y'all.

  • SOTD 2025-09-22

    • Prep: Stirling Soap Co. - Haverford Pre-shave Oil
    • Bowl: Captain's Choice - Obsidian Copper
    • Brush: Semogue Owners Club - Cherry Wood Boar 24mm
    • Razor: FaTip - il Piccolo Storto Originale
    • Blade: Feather - New Hi-Stainless
    • Lather: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac Original (tallow, sample)
    • Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac Original Aftershave
    • Post Shave: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac Original Balm
    • Fragrance: Mäurer & Wirtz - Tabac Original EdC
    • Tags: $SampleSeptember

    Sample part 2 of 3. I'm having a Tabac party this morning.

    Happy Equinox. Winter is coming. :)

    • What sort of sample activity are you doing? Part 2 of 3?

      • I'm just counting down scoops from the sample jars. Most I have are from Maggard's (0.25 oz).

        I'm 22 days into my unofficial Sample September and I haven't repeated a sample yet. When I started, I didn't realize how many of these were tucked away in my bathroom drawers. I think I'm going to finish the month without a single repeat. :)

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