Badger pics

I never know quite how I feel when I see a badger close up!

The Bluebeards Revenge

Such an odd name! This cream is supposed to ensure your beard doesn't return too quickly. As someone with a lot of creams and soaps, I'm not likely ever to find out how effective this cream is at affecting beard growth. But it's a fine cream anyway. A little makes a lot of superb creamy lather that enables a pleasant smooth shave. A good quality cream - worth a try, if only to find out what all the fuss is about!

Read more about it on the innovative website:

The Bluebeards Revenge

Pic of the day!

New Forest Brushes

A new range of brushes has now beeen released. These have a new decal. This will avoid the need to build up large batches of brushes for a long trip to a specialist printer for pad printing. More handle materials are now available including alternative ivory, bone, tortoiseshell, horn and tigris perla. Full details can be seen here:

New Forest Brushes

Straight razor shaving

I gave it my best, but it is not for me. I did a lot of research, bought all the gear, studied forums, books and videos and gave it a trial. I did eventually have some satisfactory shaves and I can fully understand the enthusiasm for this type of traditional shaving. For me, it was a step too far. I already take a lot longer over shaving doing my three pass plus a tidy up ritual with a DE razor. The additional preparation, cleaning and maintaining the straight razor, plus the messiness compared with DE shaving started to make it more of a chore than a pleasure.

So now my razors and strop and other bits and pieces lie dormant until I decide to pass them on. I'm really pleased I made the effort - it made me appreciate the pleasure it must give others but also confirmed my own preferred shaving method.

Muhle synthetic silvertip

Another for the collection:

Muhle

At 42 euros delivered, an expensive 21mm knot synthetic brush. Very nicely made and presented, it lathers well and is comfortable to paint it on. Quite a stiff springy brush. It has some likeness to the appearance of silvertip but it doesn't perform like one. The tips are prickly when you attempt to lather with circular motions - more like pure badger than silvertip. If you have scruples about using animal hair this is a practical alternative but lacks the luxury shaving experience of the real thing.

I'll post a review in my Shaving Brush Blog soon.

The final squeeze!

I had another perfect shave today. Just thought I'd describe my current ritual:

Select team of the day and leave brush soaking in warm water.

Shower.

Rinse face again and leave wet.

Lather in a bowl after allowing water to drip out of brush with the tiniest of flicks before making the lather adding more water as needed. I go for midway between thick and fluffy lather.

Paint on the lather with just the briefest of circular swirls before painting over to smooth.

Shave with light short strokes - down, up and across to centre.

Then, the final squeeze - I love this bit. The remaining lather in the brush into my hand for applying by hand for a final light tidy up. If I ever leave this step out I regret it. I always seem to leave something a bit rough.

Rinse with hot tap water, then cold.

And with face still damp, apply balm of the day.

No pre shave, no alum - they just do nothing for me.

And here I am, three hours later still gently stroking that baby smooth skin.

And to think of how many years I spent just scraping of the goo every which way with a cartridge razor.