Month: October 2020

Shave of the day, 2nd October 2020, PAA Solstice

  • Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
  • Brush : Friendship Shaving Macy Dual Band Manchurian Badger by Frank Shaving
  • Soap : PAA Solstice
  • Razor : PAA Copper Ascension w/Bic Chrome Platinum (TSOA)
  • Post Shave : PAA Solstice Star Jelly Aftershave, Aftershave Cologne
  • Others : PAA Solstice Deodorant, Epic Solid Cologne

Just picking random soaps to use. I’ll probably restart the rotation by going “budget / unknown shaves” at the start of next week.

But for today, its going to be Sage, Glorious Sage!
PAA has so many soaps that just smells fantastic and this is one of them, above and beyond.
Besides, smelling great, sage is good for the body and soul too.
And we need more of that, to take some time, smell the scents and just center ourselves.

How could I not go with the Copper Ascension and TSOA for this shave? Even TSOA’s wrapping is color coordinated for the shave.

As this is an already proven pairing of blade and hardware, nothing left but to get that perfect, “I keep touching myself” true glass BBS shave.

Stay safe
Stay sane
Stay happy

Mail Call, Shave of the day, 1st October 2020, Van Yulay Achilles

  • Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
  • Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
  • Soap : Van Yulay Achilles
  • Razor : Tatara Nodachi + RR SS UFO Handle w/Bic Chrome Platinum (TSOA)
  • Post Shave : Van Yulay Achilles Aftershave Splash

Mail came in early, just in time before I have to shave before heading off to work.
All good stuff from Van Yulay, and as you can see, they are all hard pucks which I find more to my liking.

I chose to go with Achilles, as it has been on my “to buy list” for the longest of time.

Lathering up is easy, either use the puck like a shave stick and rub it directly to your face or hand hold the puck and brush load, then clean up the puck / pat dry before replacing it in the tin. Or you can scrape silvers off and put it in a bowl to lather up. I am considering grating it into a tub reusable tub for tub loading / face lathering.

1950s Mens Fashion Style Guide - A Trip Back In Time

Scent though, is really old school good.

You immediately pick up on Bourbon, aged tobacco leaves and cherry. The other notes as noted on Monica’s site just blends in and you may get individual hints but the main notes just blows you away.
The tobacco especially is dark, deep and smoky, its not the “ash” / burnt tobacco type scent, and plays very well with the bourbon.

It is AWESOME!

Taking a deep whiff, the scent brings back, more of images of men of the 50s, than of today’s “men”.

Went again with the Nodachi today, and fittingly, with TSOA.
Even as I am aware of the blade, it just felt so freaking smooth. Very little resistance, just that tiny bit when growth meets blade and its gone.

Perfect, no irritation, true glass, “I keep touching myself” BBS shave.

Stay safe
Stay sane
Stay happy