This was a test shave for edges from two Vermont slate stones; a mottled grey stone and a purple stone. The two Geneva Cutlery razors had the same geometry and steel and tested at the same level of keenness when they were sharpened. I found that the two edges were very similar, with the edge from the mottled grey stone having comfort similar to a Thuringian edge, while the one from the purple stone had more of an Arkansas edge feel to it.
The mottled grey stone takes a little more effort while sharpening because it is porous and requires hydration maintenance. The purple stone, like most razor finishers, is just splash-n-go.
Hear! Hear! I know what you mean. I have a soap called "Doc Holiday" that is themed on the famous Doc Holliday who was best known as one of the gunfighters at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona.
Razor: Geneva Cutlery Co. Henry's X 6/8" Hollow Ground Square Point
Lather: The Cajun Blade - Cuba Libre - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
Aftershave: The Cajun Blade - Cuba Libre Aftersauce - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I was challenged to hone a razor with my left hand then to shave with it using my right hand. This was the right hand shave portion of the challenge. I just enjoy shaving. Doesn't really matter which hand I use :)
Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Super Stainless (Green) (1)
Lather: Ariana & Evans - The Undersea - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
Aftershave: Ariana & Evans - The Undersea - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I'm continuing to enjoy BBS Novemboar. Almost done with my A&E soaps. I think Undersea is blended very well. It's obviously aquatic but keeps me guessing while I use it.
Yesterday's Gillette President was a restored model that was gold plated, but this one is an unrestored, vintage rhodium version. Even though I rarely pick up my DE razors these days, I enjoy them when I do use them.
I keep forgetting to post these, but this was a very nice second luxury shave. This revamped President is plated in gold. For some reason I really like it. The originals (I have one) were done in Rhodium. This model is pretty aggressive as a shaver. I like it a lot. (Obvious, I guess, since I have two of them.)
I haven't used SoCal Hipster in a long time but I thoroughly enjoyed it today. I know that some people have issues with burning on some A&E fragrances, but I have never had issues. I'm fortunate in that regard.
The Wolfman is a work of machining art. This is my month for safety razors. I'm sure I will use this one again.
This year I'm adding Novemboar to the mix and using a boar brush for my two shaves per day. Boar brushes always benefit from extra use. When December rolls around I too feel like a hobo when returning to one shave per day :)
Razor: H.M. Christensen 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
Lather: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Second Luxury Shave
I'm ending my run of BaM soaps with the mystical sea creature. Such a special dark, brooding scent. This was the second test shave of this razor.. After correcting the frown at the edge, which I did by freehanding the shaping of the blade, I analyzed the wear pattern and realized that the spine needed some wear to lower the bevel angle enough to allow for more even bevel wear. I did this on a 4K, then moved to a LV coticule, followed by the butterscotch Ark on oil then with ONR. Huge difference in the shave result. The edge now has much better feel.
Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Sandalwood - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This is a wonderful Sandalwood scent imo, and I really enjoyed using the Blackbird. I listened to u/raymoonie's podcast with Shane last night and was inspired.
Razor: H.M. Christensen 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
Lather: Barrister and Mann - Vespers - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Vespers - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
Second luxury shave.
This is definitely the season for Vespers. Great scent. Also, this was a test of an edge that was created on a new Translucent Arkansas. The shave was comfortable and close, but the edge did not wow me. This razor had a frown in it and I had to grind that out. I'm not sure if the repair left a wide bevel angle or if the stone has more to give. I'll look into this tomorrow.
November 14, 2025
3 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
This was a test shave for edges from two Vermont slate stones; a mottled grey stone and a purple stone. The two Geneva Cutlery razors had the same geometry and steel and tested at the same level of keenness when they were sharpened. I found that the two edges were very similar, with the edge from the mottled grey stone having comfort similar to a Thuringian edge, while the one from the purple stone had more of an Arkansas edge feel to it.
The mottled grey stone takes a little more effort while sharpening because it is porous and requires hydration maintenance. The purple stone, like most razor finishers, is just splash-n-go.
Shave video