As the year turns, once again

Today marks the end of another year. Tomorrow I have to remember that it’s 2024.

I’m not going to harp on about all that is wrong in the world – anyone who isn’t living under a rock has to have noticed that the world have not become a more peaceful or more prosperous place the last year. Quite the opposite in fact.

There are some bright spots though.

I got hold of not just one, but two of my Holy Grail razors. Well… three, actually.

I also managed to find a New-in-Box promotional Tech, which is a smooth little shaver.

And I got a lot of lovely shaves, a fair number at work while my bathroom was torn out and rebuilt.

My blog had more than seventy-six thousand visitors, who between generated well over half a million page views. I sold a few books, and gave away some too.

All in all it has been a year that can summed up as “not great, not terrible”. And in the grand scheme of things, that is more or less the best we can ask for in this day and age.

How to be generous to a man at Christmas – 1929 edition

We have all been there. Looking for a gift for that special someone. Or that less special someone. The person who has everything – expect perhaps somewhere to store it all.

But fear not; Gillette know what the ideal gift to every man would be. Or would have been, back in 1929.

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Shave of Christmas Day 25th December 2023

Razor: Gillette Old Type

Blade: Lord Classic

Brush: Artesania Romera Manchurian Badger, imitation horn

Pre-Shave: Proraso Pre Shave Cream

Lather: Jabonman Mediterráno L.E. BullGoose

Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara

Additional Care: Alum Block

A late shave on Christmas Day – God Jul, y’all!

Shave of the day 22nd December 2023

Razor: Gillette Airline Tech

Blade: Lord Classic

Brush: Vie-Long #12705B

Pre-Shave: Proraso Pre Shave Cream

Lather: Pereira Shavery Orange Blossom w/ activated charcoal

Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara

Additional Care: Alum Block

SOTD 2023 12 22

Another fine shave, and the last for now with the Airline Tech.

Improvements in cakes of shaving soaps.

In the same year George Schmidt patented his shaving brush container, William Edward Lake secured a patent on behalf of the Colgate Company for an improvements in cakes of shaving soaps. An improvement that, if the claims are taken at face value, would make the cakes of soaps more secure both in shipment and in the shaving mug.

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Shave of the day 20th December 2023

Razor: Gillette Airline Tech

Blade: Lord Classic

Brush: Vie-Long #14033

Pre-Shave: Proraso Pre Shave Cream

Lather: B&M Latha Oceana

Aftershave: Barber No3 Marmara

Additional Care: Alum Block

SOTD 2023 12 20

A mighty fine midweek shave. The Airline Tech keeps impressing me – a very light touch is all it takes.

Schmidt’s shaving brush container

Continuing on the theme of antiseptic and hygienic shaving brushes, today we have George A Schmidt’s shaving brush container. Schmidt held several patents, most of them on soap dispensers. So it is perhaps not a big surprise that his shaving brush container was also meant to contain some of his own antiseptic soap.

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