Adding soap to cream

The other day I was using some Arko Cool Mint shave cream, which makes a pretty decent lather but is – in my opinion – somewhat lacking in the mentholated kick department. Acting on an impulse I added a couple drops of Dr Bronners liquid peppermint soap as I was building my lather…

The result was a thicker lather than usual, with a distinct and pleasant menthol-peppermint kick to it – a definite improvement both on the face-feel and the cushioning. I suspect I’ll do it again the next time I use the Arko cream, and possible to some of my other creams too.

Shave of the day 16th December

Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Lavender
Lather: Mike’s Hungarian Lavender Soap
Brush: Vie Long 14033
Razor: GEM 1912 with a GEM “Stainless Coated Single Edge”
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum stick and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum

Shave of the day 13th December

Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Peppermint
Lather: Arko Cool Mint Cream
Brush: Turkish No6
Razors: Merkur 39C Slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a Lord blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum stick and Krampert’s Finest Prototype Menthol

No razor? No problem?

At least not for this Russian guy… apparently, his grandfather told him that “Razors are an expensive, unnecessary luxury” and that during the Great Patriotic War the soldiers would shave with anything – so logically he decided to learn how to do the same.

I’m  not sure about y’all, but I stick to a nice DE for now – and proper lather too, instead of the canned goo I spy on this fellows table.

Shave of the day 11th December

Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s Liquid Eucalyptus
Lather: GzD shavestick
Brush: Semogue TSN 2012 LE
Razors: Merkur 39C Slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a Lord blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum stick and Proraso Liquid Cream After Shave

Back in the den

The last month I have been shaving from the GoBag… which means I get a good shave (differences in water hardness non-withstanding), but also means less choices. So I’m happy to be back in my own den and be able to fuss over what soap and brush to use for each shave.

Shave of the day 9th December

Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s liquid Peppermint
Lather: Mike’s Orange & Black Pepper Soap
Brush: Vie Long 13051M pure horse
Razors: Merkur 39C Slant and Parker 22R TTO, both with a fresh Lord blade
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, alum stick and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum

Shave of the day 6th December

Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s liquid Peppermint
Lather: Lea shavestick
Brush: Omega 50014 travel boar
Razors: Merkur 985CL with a Lord Platinum
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, travel sized alum stick and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum

A good read on straight edge shaving

One of the regulars over at my favourite shaving forum also writes articles for his local newspaper. Recently he wrote one on straight edge shaving which I found to be a good read.

Shave of the day 4th December

Pre-shave: Dr Bronner’s liquid Peppermint
Lather: Lea shavestick
Brush: Omega 50014 travel boar
Razors: Merkur 985CL with a Lord Platinum
Post-shave: Cold water rinse, travel sized alum stick and Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum