This is a community of enthusiasts, hobbyists and artisans who enjoy a traditional wet shave: brush, soap, and safety or straight razor. We are a part of the WetShaving community found on Reddit, Discord, and IRC.
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Good Morning Sandalwood
I really enjoyed using this new Cella scent. It's a light sandalwood with a citrus top.
July 25, 2024
Brush: Wald Nimbus Chryselephantine 29mm A1 Fan
Razor: J.A. Henckels Friodur 14 Full Hollow Square Point
Lather: Summer Break Soaps - Wood Shop - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Rose - Toner
Aftershave: Summer Break Soaps - Wood Shop - Aftershave
Fragrance: Maison Francis Kurkdjian - Oud - Eau de Parfum
2 passes. Face lather. Good shave.
A really nice shave today. Wood Shop is a wonderful scent and MFK Oud complements it very well. The Frio 14 was a joy to use but my shave today was not as close as with my other stainless razors. A quick records check shows that it has been 10 months since it was last honed, and I use this razor a lot. So, time to hit the stones with this one.
Yesterday's BVWSC shave was so nice that I repeated it.
Yesterday’s BVWSC shave was so nice
I agree. It's a great idea, and it gives us a chance to try something new, and to compare reactions.
25.07.2024 Grieving SOTD
2-pass head shave. Good shave but a slight burn from the software.
My grandmother died yesterday in the late evening. Around 21:00, my mother called me as my uncle had just returned from the nursing home to inform everyone. In an ironic twist of life, he actually wanted to call everyone from his family to let them know that her health is now rapidly deteriorating and if we want to visit her for a last time, we should do so now. However, shortly after he arrived at home the head nurse called him on his mobile phone and informed him that she passed away. To all of us, it's as much a relief as it is a burden. Of course, she was either mother or grandmother to us and we hold her dearly in our hearts. On the other hand, her mental and physical state before her passing was atrocious and hard to witness. She stopped eating over a week ago. Could only drink in tiny little sips from a straw and later didn't even had the strength for that. Tried to communicate with us, but couldn't articulate anything anymore. I believe she wanted to tell us that we shouldn't worry and that she wanted her life to end. The refusal of eating (and drinking) is somehow a last effort that people on the deathbed make to accelerate the process. Well, now it's over and the memories of better days will stay with all of us...
Valley of Ashes is a grieving and somehow dark scent to me. The dark notes of leather, burnt rubber, smoke create this somber atmosphere. But there's also a tiny spark of hope in form of something citrus-y, perhaps bergamot... I feel it fits my current mood best. Then there's also Encre Noire À L'Extrême. Also for me personally, a scent for gloomy and dark days. Vetiver, patchouli and incense are the heavy notes here, so I'd argue it's almost a funeral scent. There's nothing really happy in it so it's difficult to wear - but again, quite fitting.
Folks, do me a favour and enjoy your life. And don't forget to visit your family members regularly - you never you much time you have left, or how much time is left with them... Make the most of it.
I'm sorry to hear that. She sounds like a great lady who was loved by her family.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Indeed she was. Cared for me like I was her own child, helped me and mom with whatever she could do.
I also present you my condolences.
Thank you kindly!
Please accept my condolences for your loss. As the oldest person in my family, I can say that having loved ones depart is a natural order of things. It is much more acceptable to the heart if a loved one lived a long and full life.
A heartfelt thank you for your condolences 🙏🏻 Yes, of course - she was 91 years old and her numerous health issues made it a living hell for her. I also have my experience in the field of nursing, so I actually helped a lot of people during their final moments. Just hits a little different and harder when it's a family member of your own, especially for my mom. Losing a parent is one of the hardest moments in life, I imagine.
Nurses are special in my book. They see other people at their worst and treat them well anyway. Much respect.
Losing a parent is only losing them physically. If you were close, especially as adults, you know them so well they never really leave you. They stay in your thoughts; both present and past.
Thanks again! I really like my work, even if it's hard. Especially working with the elderly is often rewarding; there's much wisdom to be shared by them.
I think mom is on a good way then - yesterday we talked about so many moments we shared with grandma and had a good laugh sometimes. 👍🏻
My condolences for your loss!
Thank you very much, I really appreciate your kind words 🤝🏻
July 25, 2024
Second go with Don Josè, this time with a synthetic brush. The lather was much better, but still not my favorite :-)
@[email protected] said he put 10 grams into each sample, so I guess that means I used 5 grams per shave, because it's all gone now.
For reference, I have a water softener which I keep stocked with salt, so that's not it.
Ha, sounds maybe like too much soap? 😄
I don't think so. Yesterday was not enough lather, and today was just about right.
It may depend on water hardness. I used a little over a 1/4 teaspoon (1ml, 1g) and had plenty of lather. I'm on city water so the hardness is controlled to be slightly above neutral.
The last time I checked it it was just over 6 grains per gallon. I adjusted the softener to put it in the 1-2 gpg range.
It tends to vary a little bit but my water feels soft, so it's in a good spot.
I have no idea how hard my water here in the hotel is, but we have "medium hard to hard" water in Lausanne (15-25 °fH, 9-15 gpg) where I usually lather, and this soap isn't giving me a hard time there either. It just loads slowly for some reason.
It just loads slowly for some reason.
I found this to be the case as well. With the sample, I just put a 1/4 teaspoon in a bowl, used a damp brush to build the kind of paste I would get from loading directly off the puck, then face lathered normally. I remember thinking that the paste took a long time to develop.
I’m sure it is if you have a water softener.