• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Soap Commander Renewal
• Razor : Nodachi Base + Masamune Cap w/Zaza Blade
• Post Shave : Soap Commander Renewal Aftershave Splash
• Others : Menthol in salt grinder

Soap Commander’s 2015 Sping Limited Edition, its scent notes as per Soap Commander ;
Lavender, Cedar, Fir Needle, Crushed Pine, Camphor, Patchouli, Hay, Tobacco, Citrus, Juniper, Vetiver, Black Tea and Wild Hyacinth

But what does it smell like?
The name is deceptive as to my nose, there’s hardly any florals, slanted more towards a fresh dry woods scent just a touch of citrus and lavender.

Coming off recently from Floid Blue, this smells somewhat similar, if a little more leaning on the fern and zero on the blue spice.

And while it already has camphor, I have decided to add in some menthol to give that fresh vibe a kickstart.

Went with the Gentle Nodachi today, paired with a Zaza.
While I do enjoy the Std Nodachi, I just prefer the feel of the Gentle Nodachi with its barely negative (-0.03mm) blade exposure shave profile.

Effortless, easy, clean, true glass faceturbation worthy BBS shave.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Ginger’s Garden Floid Type
• Razor : Tatara Nodachi + RR’s SS UFO Handle w/Bic Chrome Platinum
• Post Shave : Epsilon Blue Aftershave
• Others : Menthol in salt grinder

Got this one some time ago, scent is a very reproduction to Floid Blue, though that citrus / citronella does pop up quite sharply.
Adding menthol tones down the citrus / citronella note a little and makes it closer to the Original Blue Spice scent of Floid Blue (I still think that there is a floral mint-spice note that’s missing / weak) and that menthol hit makes for a better shave.
YMMV of couse.

Going with the Nodachi with the TSOA for a work day shave today, for that no nonsense, true glass, “I keep touching myself” BBS shave.
Just a tad more blade feel but still feels fantastically smooth. And the blade just mows down growth with very little resistance, just a tiny bump and its clear smooth skin.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Zingari Man Seafarer
• Razor : Tatara Masamune Base + Nodachi Cap w/Zaza Blade
• Post Shave : Nivea Men Active Energy Post Shave Lotion

Older soap but still generates great lather, soft Sea Aqua scent, pairs well with Nivea’s “Blue” (Active Energy / Cooling Sensitive) scents.
Went with the Zero Zero Masamune with a Zaza, easy BBS.

• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Soap Commander Unity
• Razor : PAA Copper Ascension w/Zaza Blade
• Post Shave : Nivea Men Deep Comforting Post Shave Lotion

• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Bowl : Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : WTF Mr Warlock
• Razor : Tatara Masamune Base + Nodachi Cap w/Supermax Diamond Edge
• Post Shave : WTF Mr Warlock Aftershave

Peppermint, Camphor, Eucalyptus and Menthol!
And if you are gonna huff a soap’s and aftershave’s scent, this one will clear your sinuses in a hurry.
Whooooooooo!
Oh man, it’s been a warm balmy night and even with the morning rains, it still feels muggy here in the Tropics.
So, Mr Warlock to the rescue! Love that Peppermine scent, love that menthol hit!

Went with my Zero Zero Masamune with the Supermax Diamond Edge, damn good combo, and while it feels super mild, the shave was super efficient and comfortable for me. Almost zero blade feel, growth gets sheared off with little to no resistance leaving true glass, zero irritation, “I keep touching myself” faceturbation BBS skin.

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : PAA Supreme Sandalwood Science
• Razor : Tatara Nodachi Base + Masamune Cap w/Supermax Diamond Edge Blade
• Post Shave : PAA Supreme Sandalwood Science Star Jelly Aftershave, Aftershave Cologne
• Others : PAA Supreme Sandalwood Science Deodorant and Epic Solid Cologne

Hail to the King baby!
Epic blend of different Sandalwoods from the world over, blended into a very warm, very aromatic experience that differentiates itself from other sandalwood scents out there.
For one thing, its top, mid and base notes are essentially, all base notes.
And more importantly, smells fantastic.

Still going with the Gentle Nodachi, though I am clearing up my used blades, this time with the Supermax Diamond Edge, one of the cheapest “Feather Alternatives” that I have found.

Easy, fantastic shave.
Smelling and feeling great!

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Soap Commander Vision
• Razor : Tatara Nodachi Base + Masamune Cap w/Zaza Blade
• Post Shave : Soap Commander Vision
• Others : Menthol in Salt Grinder

One of my favorite scents from Soap Commander is Vision.
Its an aqua fresh scent that is slanted towards the sweet, not salty seaweed.
The only thing that could have made it better is menthol, which you can just grind in to get that mint and amber to pop along with that cooling feel on the skin.
Regardless of whether or not you add your own menthol, it is a joy to use.

Went with my Gentle Nodachi today along with a Zaza Blade.
While the default Nodachi feels smooth even with its positive blade exposure (+0.13mm), this setup with its negative -0.03mm exposure just feels much more comfortable for me.
YMMV of course.
But it is still very efficient and with hardly any blade feel against the skin, for me, a zero irritation shave is practically guaranteed.

Feeling good, smelling great.
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• Pre-shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : Soap Commander Endurance
• Razor : Blackland Vector w/Feather Professional Blade
• Post Shave : Soap Commander Endurance Aftershave Splash
• Others : Vintage Old Spice EDT

Old Spice.
Its no secret this is one of my favorite scents (still) due to a numnber of nostalgic reasons and I have been trying more than a few versions of soaps that is supposed to be based on this scent.

I need to get from a few more artisans but for the moment, Soap Commander is to me, the closest you’ll get if you are looking for a true to the Original Shulton scented soap and splash. (YMMV)
Soap Commander is also one of the most value for money artisans out there.

My own tub that I have been using quite a bit, looks like its barely used.
Part of the reason for that is that Soap Commander’s soaps are essentially hard pucks in a tub.
Darn thing is going to last forever unless I use it every day and load heavy.

Also, quite often I am asked how does Endurance compares to Cold Spices.

I may change my mind in time (when I get around to getting from a few more artisans), but for now, Endurance is holds that top spot if only by a hairline.
PAA’s Cold Spice comes in a very close second only because it does have that very light menthol note and is just a tad more powdery in the opening, so I can’t say it is closer to the scent than SC’s Endurance, though they both dry down to that beautiful Shulton scent.

Having said that, PAA holds top spot for scent longevity, scent strength.
So you have to decide what you want from the shave.
Soap Commander is truly value for money given that its 6oz tub is $15 and the soap in it will last far longer than most (I’d expect to go through 3 bottles of AS to a Tub) and while Endurance’s scent do last a while it won’t be able to hold up against PAA’s Cold Spices, which is for the person who wants to come out of the bathroom smelling of the Old Shulton and stay smelling that way for several hours, more so if you scent layer with PAA’s other complimenting scent products.

Again with the Vector and I just love how it gets that true glass BBS.
Finished up with Soap Commander’s Splash and my old Shulton EDT.
The EDT is down to its last 60ml+/- but it is meant to be used and I rather use it up before it goes rancid.

Felling great, smelling fantastic.
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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : PAA Diver Down
• Razor : Blackland Vector w/Feather Professional Blade
• Post Shave : PAA Diver Down Star Jelly Aftershave, Aftershave Cologne
• Others : PAA Diver Down Epic Solid Cologne

Based on the “Seaforth! Spiced” scent, Diver Down is just freaking epic! What I really like about this release is the inclusion of Jatamansi (Spikenard) giving it that herbal and cooling scent on top of rum (YAY RUM!) and cinnamon mellowed out with lavender and pine.
Definitely one of my favorites at the moment, and given Phoenix Artisan Accouterment’s entire line that’s just amazing.
Especially after applying the aftershaves.
I mean you just want to cup your hands over your nose and breathe in that awesomeness for a few minutes.

The Vector does what it does and given that awesome CK-6 lather to ride on, getting that perfect no irritation, true glass, faceturbation worthy BBS shave is just easy as pie.
Homebaked apple pie with rum and cinnamon ….mmmmnnnnsss!

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• Pre-Shave : Shower, PAA Cube
• Brush : Oumo 24mm ACE SHD Dual Band Manchurian Badger
• Soap : PAA Cold Spices
• Razor : Blackland Vector w/Feather Professional Blade
• Post Shave : PAA Cold Spices Star Jelly Aftershave and Aftershave Cologne
• Others : PAA Cold Spices Deodorant, Epic Solid Cologne and EDP

So, I made a boo boo, grabbing the head of the razor to uncap, thinking that the blade was removed, only it wasn’t.
Yeah.
Them Feather blades, yeah, they can cut rather deep.
Surprisingly little pain but a whole lot of blood all over the sink and half an hour of compression and dressing up the wound later (sucks to be on blood thinner), I was ready to shave.

PAA Cold Spices is the my other complete Full Monty set up, and a deserving one for sure.
True to the old Shulton Old Spice Scent, this is always a joy to use.
And its my most used PAA soap judging by the level of AS in the bottle.

Even though its an off day for me, its a Sunday so I’ll be at home with the wife, and yeah, she loves the scent of Old Spice too.

Went slow with the Vector, enjoying that smooth precision shave that I have come to associate with the Vector.
Easy true glass, irritation free, faceturbation worthy BBS Shave.

Feeling great regardless of that little accident, smelling fanfracking awesome.

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