Razor: Gillette Slim
Blade: Astra Green
Brush: Vie-Long #13051M
Lather: Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum Soap
Aftershave: Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum
Additional Care: Alum and Block Scotch Porter Beard Balm
Shave of the day 22nd November
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Why I shave / buzz my head
As some of you might have guessed from one of my posts earlier this year – titled “Head shaving for n00bs” – I’m in the habit of buzzing and sometimes shaving my head. While people might do that for several good reasons, these are mine reasons to do so:
- It’s damn convenient – saves time in the shower and saves money at the hairdresser
- It’s comfortable, particularly in summer when it’s hot (in fact, I started while in Africa) but also under a cap or hat in winter
- I’ve been informed that it looks good on me (YMMV)
- Gray hairs? What gray hairs?
- Did I mention convenient?
Shave of the day 20th November
Razor: Gillette Slim
Blade: Astra Green
Brush: Omega #10048
Lather: Mike’s Natural Soaps Orange, Cedarwood & Black Pepper
Aftershave: Myrsol Aqua Balsamica
Additional Care: Alum Block and BullDog Original Beard Balm
Shave of the day 17th November
Razor: Gillette 1958 TV Special
Blade: Astra Green
Brush: Vie-Long #12705B
Lather: Mike’s Natural Soaps Lemongrass & Eucalyptus
Aftershave: Myrsol Aqua Balsamica
Additional Care: Alum Block, Scotch Porter Beard Balm and BodyShop Maca Root Energetic Face Protection
Going medieval
Shave of the day 15th November
Razor: Gillette 1958 TV Special
Blade: Astra Green
Brush: Semogue TSN LE 2012
Lather: Brutalt Bra TSN LE / Norwegian Wood
Additional Care: Alum Block and Scots Porter Beard Balm
Blade: Astra Green
Brush: Semogue TSN LE 2012
Lather: Brutalt Bra TSN LE / Norwegian Wood
Additional Care: Alum Block and Scots Porter Beard Balm
More old brushes
A poster / advertisement for shaving brushes I found online, age unknown. The similarities with the brushes from the US Civil War I posted last week should be obvious; high loft, a ‘neck’ between the handle and the brush proper, and in some cases the use of string to secure the knot.
At the same time we can see the development of the modern brush; shorter loft, use of rubber cement and glue to secure the knot, and less pronounced necking.
Shave of the day 13th November
Razor: Gillette 1958 TV Special
Blade: Astra Green
Brush: Gustavo Rimano Manchurian Badger, imitation horn
Lather: Mike’s Natural Soaps Hungarian Lavender
Aftershave: Proraso Liquid Cream After Shave
Additional Care: Alum Block & Scotch Porter Beard Balm
Shave of the day 10th November
Razor: Parker 22R
Blade: Astra Green
Brush: Vie-Long #14033
Lather: Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum Soap
Aftershave: Krampert’s Finest Bay Rum
Additional Care: Alum Block and BullDog Original Beard Balm
Mid 1800’s shave brushes
Some more photos of old shave gear I found online, this time brushes from around the time of the US Civil War. Three things that strikes me right off the bat is the use of string or twine to secure the knot, the length of knot in relation to the diameter, and the narrow neck between the knot and the handle.
While the use of a string to secure the knot most likely was due to the lack of modern glues, and the extreme length of the knot can be down to either the hair used or just the style of the times… the narrow neck probably had a practical purpose; to stop water and lather running down the handle.
