Shave of the day 29th January

Razor: Merkur (?) NOS Bakelite Slant
Blade: PolSilver Super Iridium
Brush: Gustavo Rimano Manchurian Badger, imitation horn
Lather: Mike’s Natural Soaps Lemongrass & Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Nivea Cooling After Shave Balm
Additional Care: Alum Block & Scotch Porter Beard Balm

Shave of the day 26th January

Razor: Merkur 45C Bakelite
Blade: PolSilver Super Iridium
Brush: Vie-Long #12705B
Lather: Proraso Menthol & Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Myrsol Formula K Additional
Care: Alum Block & BullDog Original Beard Oil

Match book razor – another novelity

Just some photos I found from an old eBay auction. I’m assuming that these could be printed with advertisements for anything, and that the actual razor was known as the “little shaver”. Judging by the printed instructions there should be a small package of shaving cream packed with the razor, but that isn’t in the photos.

No shave of the day 24th January

Because reasons, thats why.

Keep HIM FIT with a “COMFYKIT”

The ComfyKit is – or rather was – the most complete kit on the market. Or at least they claimed to be.

I have to admit one thing; I would love to have this kit today when I’m travelling for work or on the Go.

Everything a soldier (or sailor) could need while serving in the field or aboard – including space for writing supplies to write letters home. You can see some photos of an original Nathan Comfykit here.

If anyone offers quality reproductions of these – preferable filled with the gear – I’m seriously tempted to get one. It’s a more complete solution than the Khaki Kit.

Shave of the day 22nd January

Razor: Merkur 45C Bakelite
Blade: PolSilver Super Iridium
Brush: Vie-Long #14033 mixed horse-badger
Lather: Arko shaving stick
Aftershave: BullDog Oil Control Moisturiser
Additional Care: Alum Block & Scotch Porter Beard Balm

Shave of the day 19th January

Razor: Phillips Philite
Blade: PolSilver Super Iridium
Brush: Wilkinson Sword Badger
Lather: Prairie creations Walter
Aftershave: Myrsol Formula K
Additional Care: Alum Block BullDog Original Beard Balm

A novelty safety razor; the Yawnmower

It’s amazing what you stumble over while semi-randomly wandering the interweb – like a novelty razor shaped like an old push-mower.

I have no idea how it shaves – or even if it shaves – but I wanted to share the photos I found.

Shave of the day 17th January

Razor: Phillips Philite
Blade: PolSilver Super Iridium
Brush: Vie-Long #13051M
Lather: Asylum Shave Works Frankincense & Myrrh
Aftershave: Asylum Shave Works Frankincense & Myrrh
Additional Care: Alum Block & Scotch Porter Beard Balm

A moment of zen in a busy day

I have mentioned my concept Zen of Shaving – that perfect moment caught between lather and blade – several times in my blog and even more often on my favorite shave forum, and it don’t become any less true or less important as time moves on.

In my line of work, some times of the year* is busier than the rest… and winter is one of them. Lots on my mind, lots on my calendar, and even more meetings to plan things than the other busy times of the year.

And it’s when life if full of happenings, and ones brain is simply too full of priority zero items to even get started on those things that should be ones first priority, that a few minutes of Zen in the morning really helps bring a sense of balance and harmony to ones life. By forgoing the modern “convenience” of canned goo and the cartridge razor with n+1 blades (where n equals at least three blades more than you need to shave) I am “wasting” a few minutes every day… but by using lather, brush and an old fashioned safety razor I do find my center and becomes ready to face yet another day of being one man deep and having to take part in the Red Queens Race**.

In short, a few “wasted” minutes of the Zen of Shaving makes busy days less stressful. So if you’re ever wondering if you have time to shave with lather, brush and safety razor, the answer is always a resounding YES!

*) Short version? August to June is the busiest time of the year. July is when we get everything done that got postponed from being busy, so July is busy too.
**) “…it takes all the running you can do, to keep in the same place. If you want to get somewhere else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”