• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Bowl : Van Yulay Resin
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Heath Shaving Cream
• Razor : Tatara Nodachi Base + Masamune Cap w/Feather Blade
• Post Shave : Heath Post Shave Repair Balm, Clubman Pinaud Cognac Neat

Continuing with my budget and or obscure shave soaps, this time something from the UK.
Scented with Tasmanian Peppers and Tea Tree it’s mild and pleasant.
Quality and lather is pretty much mid-upper tier.
Good slickness, some residual and fairly good post shave.
Didn’t think I needed the balm in all honesty but used it anyways.

Actually, I may have to stop using most balms totally.
Save for a few lighter balm / lotions, most balms I have are a little too rich for the heat here in the tropics causing my skin to break out.

The Tatara Nodachi Base + Masamune Cap combo again made it a very easy, extremely comfortable true glass BBS shave.

Finished up with Clubman’s Cognac Neat and much like yesterday, on application, it reminds me of one of their older offerings, Brandy Spice.
A little toned down, without that sharp orange peel scent, instead there’s a hint of tobacco I think.

Cognac Neat in this case takes 3rd place of 3 simply because if I didn’t know better, I’d sworn it was one of the older Clubman aftershaves, it just doesn’t have that something that differentiate it from the rest.

And to be fair, I actually washed off, and re-applied the aftershave again just to be sure that I am not imagining things.

That is not to say that they aren’t different or that they are not good.

Its just that both Sweet Rum and Cognac Neat are close enough to the old scents that if you weren’t using Clubman Reserve Aftershaves on rotation and given these blind, your initial reaction might be “Oh, Whiskey Woods.” or “Oh, this is Brandy Spice.” until you notice its lacking the really sharp scent for either and that these are a little toned down with the booze note a little more defined, along with a slight fruity note for Sweet Rum or a muted tobacco for Cognac Neat.

Of all the Clubman Reserve Aftershaves, I’d rank Tequila Tease and Gent’s Gin as the top 2 and the 3rd spot is really up for grabs.

And as always with all things shaving, YMMV.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Siliski Soaps Internal Calamity
• Razor : Tatara Nodachi Base + Masamune Cap w/Feather Blade
• Post Shave : Clubman Pinaud Sweet Rum

Mail call insert from my “budget / obscure” shaves in the rotation. Just had to give it a try.

Now I know that the scent notes for Siliski Soaps Internal Calamity is very different from Appalachian Forest but my first use immediately brought Appalachian Forest to mind. While not as “woody” as the aforementioned soap, it does have that “Appalachian Forsest lite” vibe.

Chose to face lather and again, first impression is that this is a thirsty soap. Soap is easily picked up with a damp (I don’t put soaking wet brushes into tubs) brush and sort of dries on the bristles forming a stiff paste, added more water maybe a tablespoon or so, onto a wet face and it still wanted more water after which the lather formed is a little more “runny” but very slick.

One pass WTG, XTG and ATG.
The Nodachi Base + Masamune cap combo with the Feather is extremely smooth. I hardly felt any resistance even against my more “problematic” growth areas. Shaved mostly by Audio Feedback.
It was amazingly comfortable.
Though, I had to remind myself that while the razor felt amazingly comfortable. It does have a 0.90mm gap and can and has bitten if you forget that it does have a very sharp blade that would be all too happy to take a blood oath if you put too much pressure or not paying attention.

Finished with the new Sweet Rum and this one reminded me of Whiskey Woods, except with a dark rum note and something fruity in it. Black currant or green fig maybe. Scent fades off fast though. Leaving your face feeling settled and toned.

Of the 2 out of 3 new Clubman I have tried, Tequila Tease is still far up on the ladder of preference.
Sweet Rum smells very familiar, and you can’t help but think of either Whiskey Woods or Brandy Spice with just a tad less “in your face” fruitier scent

Perfect, true glass “I keep touching myself” BBS shave

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Bowl : Van Yulay Resin
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Body Shop Maca Root and Aloe Shaving Cream
• Razor : Tatara Masamune Base + Nodachi Cap w/Feather Blade
• Post Shave : Body Shop Maca Root and Aloe Post-Shave Gel
• Others : Menthol in Salt Grinder

Probably the most accessible wet shaving cream and post-shave as it is available world wide, as long as there is a Body Shop outlet, and there’s always one where there is a large enough shopping mall.

Body Shop’s Maca Root and Aloe’s lather is fairly good if a little on the lighter side, and the scent is kind of reminiscent of PAA’s Future Fiction, if a little more earthier.
Added in a little menthol to get that face cooling effect.

Going with the Zero Zero Masamune for that easy, comfortable BBS shave.
The post shave gel is essentially lightly scented aloe gel, that has been tweaked with a little cooling agent and not leave your skin feeling gummy.
I really like it.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Col Conk Bay Rum
• Razor : Blackland Vector w/Feather Pro-Guard Blade
• Post Shave : Col Conk Bay Rum Aftershave

One of my favorite budget soaps is Col Conk’s Bay Rum.
It is lightly scented with that distinctive rose forward bay rum and to me, smells great and because its lightly scented, will fade off and not interfere with any scent or aftershave you choose to wear.

Lather is very slick, with good residual slickness, and a post shave, that while isn’t much to speak of, is far beyond what one would expect from any soap of the same price range.

Went with the Vector today.
Precision shaving exemplified.
Finishing off with Col Conk’s mild but beautifully scented rose bay rum aftershave was just icing on the BBS Cake.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Bowl : Van Yulay Resin
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Proraso Wood and Spice
• Razor : Tatara Masamune Base + Nodachi Cap w/Feather Blade
• Post Shave : Proraso Wood and Spice Aftershave Balm

Proraso Wood and Spice, with notes of Cumin, Saffron, Cedar, Sandalwood, Vanilla and Rock Rose is possibly Proraso’s best smelling soap and one of my personal favorites. Of all the Proraso soaps, if I have to give them all up except for Green and one other, this would be the other Proraso scent I’d keep in the den as long as it’s available.

Went with the Zero Zero Masamune armed with a Feather today.
Perfect combo to get that perfect, true glass BBS shave.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : PAA Peregrino
• Soap : Palmolive Shave Stick (grated)
• Razor : Rockwell R1 (or as most will recognize, Baili Classic TTO) w/Feather Blade
• Post Shave : Skin Bracer Original Aftershave
• Menthol in Salt Grinder

Today is “Budget Shave” day.
Soap, $3 if you can find it at non-price gouging prices. Brush, $19.90. Skin Bracer is about $4, and the Baili razor is about $12. (you should use a cheaper but as sharp blade like the Nacet or Bic) All in under $50.

Palmolive shave stick + Menthol is just so made for each other.

Unless of course, you don’t like menthol.
Heathen. 😁

Went with the Baili Classic TTO / Rockwell R1 which is a very mild razor, thus I decided to pair the razor with a very sharp blade, which makes for very comfortable, smooth and easy shaves. YMMV of course.
As expected, the combination rode the superb lather easily and growth was just mowed off with little to no resistance.
And because the razor as mild as it comes, it was as smooth, easy and comfortable.

A little skin stretching, buffing and a full three + cleanup pass, I got my true glass, perfect BBS shave.

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• Pre-Shave : PAA Cube
• Brush : Friendship Shaving Macy Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Proraso Red
• Razor : Merkur 34C-HD w/Bic Chrome Platinum Blade
• Post Shave : Proraso Red Aftershave

Can’t do a “Back To Basics” shaves without Proraso Red or the Merkur 34C-HD
Both were staples for many a wet shaver and at one time (still so, I think) if its not the Edwin Jagger DE89 being recommended to new Wet-Shavers, it’s the Merkur 34C-HD.

And of course Proraso Red’s Sandalwood scent is pretty much iconic, one of the best sandalwood scented shaves out there, especially considering the price of $10 for a 5.2oz tub. (even less if you find this in the wild)

The Merkur 34C-HD is a good reliable mild razor (Think of the Rockwell R2 or R3) that when paired with a good sharp blade like the TSOA, just performs magnificently, taking growth off easily and with little fuss.

Using the old stand-bys, reminds me that you don’t need to spend several hundreds of dollars for a fantastic shave.
And finishing with that Proraso Red Afterhave.
Ummph! Damn near perfect!

Easy, comfortable, perfect, BBS shave.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, Proraso Green Pre-Shave
• Bowl : Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl
• Brush : PAA Peregrino
• Soap : Proraso Green
• Razor : Razorock MJ-90A + Bulldog Handle w/Bic Chrome Platinum
• Post Shave : Proraso Green Pre-Shave + Proraso Green Aftershave Lotion
• Others : Menthol in Salt Grinder

Another “Back To Basics Shave” and its one that started it all for me. Proraso Green.
Actually its the entire Proraso line, but it was green that was my gateway drug into the wetshaving rabbit hole of getting more soaps, more scents, better shaves.

And for many, that eucalyptus and menthol morning wake up call is just something else.
For the brave, grind in even more menthol to turn it “Glacial”.

Going with possibly one of the best, most affordable, if you can only buy one and only one razor just under $30, razor that takes the venerable DE89 and made much needed improvements to that razor design.
Drop in a sharp blade like a Feather / Bic / Nacet and be surprised at just how good this razor is.
Smooth, mild, comfortable, fairly easy to master.

Finished with using the Pre-Shave as a settling balm (most people don’t know that Proraso’s “pre-shaves” can be used in the Post shave as well) followed by the fantastic Proraso Green Aftershave Lotion.
As someone we all know would have say “AWESOME SAUCE!”

Smooth, easy, true glass “I keep touching myself” BBS shave.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, Proraso White Pre-Shave
• Bowl : Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl
• Brush : PAA Peregrino
• Soap : Proraso White
• Razor : Parker Variant w/Zaza Blade
• Post Shave : Proraso White Post shave Balm
• Others : Menthol In Salt Grinder

Restarting the Rotation with “Back to Basics” shaves. Kicking off with Proraso White.
Scented with green tea, oats, lime and apple, this is a light, distinctive scent. Some might think its a little medicinal though.
I have the old stuff so I will have to just use them generously to use it all my Proraso stuff up (and I have way too much of the old stuff) to get the new formula release.

The Parker Variant is a good razor though mine has a slight flaw with blade balance, still its workable.
To me, this is a blade forward razor so, a little more care, keeping that zero pressure strokes constant and you’d get an easy BBS shave.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower (Old Spice Shower Gel), PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : PAA Cold Spices
• Razor : Tatara Nodachi + RR SS UFO Handle w/ZAZA Super Stainless Blade
• Post Shave : PAA Cold Spices Star Jelly Aftershave, Aftershave Cologne
• Others : PAA Cold Spices Deodorant, Epic Solid Cologne and EDP

Off day, Old Shulton Old Spice day!
And yes, its a Full Monty.
I had an Old Shulton bath bar but I can’t remember if it was from PAA, Soap Commander or one of the other artisans.
It’s gone though, used up some time ago.
So went with P&G’s shower gel.
I know! I know! But at least its the start of the scent layer with the real stuff coming later.

From Shave to finish, the scent just brought a smile to my face.
Guys, step back from the insanity going on.
Let go of the hate, the stress, all the nonsense that if you let them, will sour your soul.

For me, its going to an animal shelter with the wife today to see if we can pick up a cat.
Just go do something that just makes you smile.

Went again with the Nodachi and this time with a Zaza blade.
One word, Smooth!
The Zazas while not as sharp as my favorites and it is more in line with Personnas, is very smooth. The Nodachi just plows through stuff like its not there and while this time I do feel a little more resistance, its not too bad, just a wee tiny bit of tug and its gone.

More importantly, I got my clean, perfect BBS shave.

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