u/Jesus_Saves_3_16

Any red flags that you can see with authenticity of this advertised NOS Filarmonica 14?

**Jun. 9, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Brush:** Parker Arctic Storm
* **Razor:** Charcoal Goods
* **Blade:** Personna GEM (2)
* **Lather:** Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Saponificio Varesino - 70th Anniversary - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium - Unscented - Lotion
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block

Today’s shave was one I thoroughly enjoyed from start to finish. I reached for the Charcoal Goods Level 1 Dual Comb loaded with a Personna GEM and paired it with Saponificio Varesino’s 70th Anniversary soap and aftershave.

For the first pass, I used the open comb side WTG, and it made easy work of several days’ worth of growth. The razor provided excellent efficiency while maintaining the smooth, refined feel that Charcoal Goods is known for. For the second pass ATG, I switched over to the safety bar side, which delivered an incredibly smooth finish and left very little cleanup work.

The real luxury element of the shave came from the SV 70th Anniversary set. The scent is a classy, sophisticated cologne-style fragrance that perfectly matched both the razor and the relaxed mood of the shave. Performance was exactly what you’d expect from a premium soap—slick, protective, and effortless to lather.

The alum block offered a little feedback, which I attribute mostly to the efficiency of that open comb pass, but nothing excessive. A splash of the matching SV aftershave quickly calmed everything down, and I finished things off with a light lotion to keep the skin hydrated.

This was one of those shaves where I intentionally slowed down and enjoyed the entire process. Great hardware, fantastic software, and a result that made the extra time well worth it.

Happy shaving, friends!

**Jun. 7, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - Preshave
* **Brush:** Arno Titanium Lighthouse
* **Razor:** Blutt BR-1
* **Blade:** Personna GEM (1)
* **Lather:** Martin De Candre - Vetiver - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Clubman Pinaud - - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Nivea Sensitive Skin - Balm
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block

Before church this morning, I got up and put the new-to-me Blutt BR-1 with the 1.20 blade gap through its paces. I paired it with an Arno brush and Martin de Candre Vétiver soap for what turned out to be an excellent shave.

Starting with the Blutt, I was immediately impressed. The razor made quick work of a few days’ worth of growth while providing plenty of feedback throughout the shave. The Personna GEM blade offered just a touch of blade feel, but it remained smooth and controlled from start to finish. As usual, I went with a simple two-pass shave: WTG followed by ATG. The result was an exceptionally close and comfortable shave with very little effort.

The Arno brush continues to impress. That incredibly soft synthetic knot loads and builds lather effortlessly, and paired with MdC it creates a rich, slick lather almost instantly on the face. Martin de Candre remains my favorite soap and, in my opinion, is well worth the premium price for those special shaves. I’ve found myself reaching for it whenever I’m trying out a new razor because it lets the hardware shine.

Overall, this was a fantastic shave. The Blutt BR-1 earned a spot in the rotation right away, and combined with the Arno brush and MdC Vétiver, it made for a memorable morning shave. I can easily recommend all three.

Post-shave was the usual Clubman splash followed by Nivea balm. I skipped the Thayers today.

Happy shaving, friends!

Today was a great day for the den. I received a few pickups from fellow shave enthusiasts and wanted to give a shoutout to the awesome members who made it happen.

Huge thanks to u/chacobearv93 for the:
Wald A1 Flare in Lime
Urkunet 2.0 “Assassin”

Thank you u/venom22480 for the:
Blutt BR-1

And thank you u/Equivalent_Title_822 for the:
Tatara Muramasa XL

I’m always amazed by how great this community is. Everything arrived safely and exactly as described.

Looking forward to putting these pieces into the rotation and getting some shaves in with them soon.

Thanks again to everyone involved—this hobby is made even better by the people behind it.

Happy Shaves Friends!

Today’s mail call brought a few pieces I’ve been excited about adding to the den.

First up is a Charcoal Goods Level 1 in brass and copper that I purchased from u/lsq998. The razor is absolutely beautiful and exactly what I was hoping it would be. The craftsmanship and patina potential on this one are outstanding. Huge thank you to the seller for a smooth transaction and getting it safely into my hands. I can’t wait to get the first shave with it.

Also pictured is a Ribbon 1000 straight razor. Ribbon was a highly regarded Japanese brand produced by Ribbon Co. (Riyo Kaken), with most examples being manufactured in Japan. However, some were produced in Solingen, Germany for export back to the Japanese market, and this is one of those examples.

This razor features a 13/16 square-point hollow grind, is in fantastic condition, and the original 3-pin scales have survived equally well.

To round out the package, I also picked up a strop from Duke City Vintage Shaving on eBay as I continue my journey into the straight razor world. Looking forward to learning the craft, maintaining my own edges, and hopefully enjoying many great shaves along the way.

The Charcoal Goods will likely get first dibs, but the Ribbon won’t be far behind.

Happy shaves!

**Jun. 4, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Brush:** Plisson Pur Blaireau High Mountain White Badger
* **Razor:** Trident Murray
* **Blade:** Astra Superior Platinum (4)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Company - Executive Man - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Aqua Velva - Classic Ice Blue - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium - Unscented - Lotion
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - 2% AHA Exfoliating and Brightening Toner

Today was a little special for a couple of reasons. First, the Trident Murray arrived, and I was excited to finally get a shave in. Second, after a long week that included a trip to Washington, DC for a leadership summit, I decided it was time to make a change and put some focus back on myself.

For the last several years I’ve been heavily focused on my career, and fitness gradually took a back seat. Eventually that catches up with you physically, mentally, and health-wise. Today I took the first step back in the right direction by joining a local gym and getting in my first workout. There aren’t many options around here, but it felt good to get started.

After the workout, I knew the day needed to end with a great shave.

The Trident Murray made a fantastic first impression. The fit and finish are excellent and easily comparable to some of the higher-end razors in my den. Most of my recent acquisitions have been titanium, so the added heft of the bronze was actually refreshing. It has a substantial feel in hand without being cumbersome.

For software, I paired it with Stirling Executive Man and a Plisson brush. The combination was spot on. Executive Man remains one of my favorite scents from Stirling, and it paired perfectly with Aqua Velva Classic Ice to finish things off. As expected from Stirling, the soap loaded easily and produced enough slick, protective lather for multiple passes.

The shave itself was a simple two-pass affair: WTG followed by ATG through roughly two days of growth. The Murray handled it effortlessly. Smooth, efficient, and comfortable with very little feedback from the alum block afterward.

First impressions are very positive. The Murray delivered exactly what I was hoping for and has already earned a place in the regular rotation. I’m happy to add this one to the den.

Hope everyone had a great shave and an even better day. Happy shaving friends!

**May. 30, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Razor:** Lambda Athena
* **Lather:** Martin De Candre - Agrumes - Puck
* **Brush:** Arno Titanium Lighthouse
* **Blade:** Astra Superior Platinum (3)
* **Post Shave:** Alum Block
* **Post Shave:** Aqua Velva - Classic Ice Blue - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Nivea Sensitive Skin - - Balm

Some shaves are good. Some are memorable. This one was special.

After a long wait, my polished titanium Lambda Athena finally arrived. Everything I had heard from the community turned out to be true. The Athena is a work of art. From the razor itself to the beautifully crafted felt-lined wooden presentation box, every detail feels intentional. The entire experience screams artisan craftsmanship.

To celebrate, I paired it with my Arno Titanium brush and Martin de Candre Agrumes. It was my first shave with both the Athena and the Agrumes, and neither disappointed.

Knowing this would be a special shave, I slowed everything down and enjoyed the process. Before showering, I laid out all of my hardware and software in order of use, blade ready and waiting. After a hot shower, I filled the sink with warm water, splashed my face, and loaded the Arno for about 15 seconds.

The Arno and MdC make face lathering effortless. A quick paint of soap onto the beard, a dip of the brush tips, and the lather exploded to life. As expected, a little Martin de Candre goes a very long way. Once I had a rich, hydrated lather built, I assembled the Athena and let the soap continue softening the beard.

After one final dip of the brush tips and some finishing paint strokes, it was time for the first pass. The WTG pass was incredibly smooth and efficient, mowing down three days of growth with ease. No nicks, no weepers, just a comfortable and controlled shave.

A warm rinse, fresh lather, and onto the final ATG pass. Again, the Athena delivered. Smooth, efficient, and drama-free. After a cold-water rinse, I checked for touch-ups and found none needed.

The post-shave routine was equally enjoyable. Alum produced very little feedback, followed by Thayers, Aqua Velva Blue, and finally Nivea Sensitive Balm. While everything dried, I cleaned and carefully dried the Athena, blade, brush, and gear before setting them out for the night.

The result? A fantastic shave, wonderful scents, and one of the smoothest finishes I’ve had in a long time. The perfect way to get ready for dinner with the family at our favorite Mexican restaurant.

The Athena lived up to every expectation I had for it. First shave impressions are extremely positive, and I can already tell this razor will be seeing a lot of use.

Happy Shaving, friends!

**May. 27, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Brush:** Simpson Commodore X2 Best Badger
* **Razor:** Blackland Vector Ti Premium Polished
* **Blade:** Schick Proline P-20 (1)
* **Lather:** Martin De Candre - Fougere - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Clubman Pinaud - - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium - Unscented - Lotion
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - 2% AHA Exfoliating and Brightening Toner
* **Bowl:** Captains Choice - Heavy Copper

Today I woke up fairly early to get a head start on the day and felt like I needed a special shave to set the tone. I reached for a new setup: the polished Blackland Vector Ti paired with a Schick Proline and Martin De Candre Fougère.

This was my first run with both the hardware and software, and as many of you have shared before, neither disappointed. The Vector and MdC get plenty of praise within the community, and after today I can absolutely see why.

My impression of the Artist Club Vector is pure class. Nimble yet efficient, refined without trying too hard — a razor that feels capable of meeting you wherever you want to take the shave. Today’s shave was soothing, relaxed, and meticulous. Even though the Vector is a new addition, it somehow already felt familiar in hand. I do own the polished Blackbird Ti, but this is an entirely different experience altogether. The result was an easy, no-drama two-pass shave that was smooth from start to finish.

As for MdC Fougère, it lived up to the reputation. Effortless loading, excellent lather, fantastic slickness, and my skin felt refreshed long after the shave was over.

Overall, an outstanding shave and a great way to start the day before a long drive to and from a customer meeting.

Happy shaving, friends!

**May. 24, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Brush:** Simpson Commodore X2 Best Badger
* **Razor:** Tatara Muramasa
* **Blade:** Astra Superior Platinum (2)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Company - Ozark Mountain - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Clubman Pinaud - - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Nivea Sensitive Skin - - Balm
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - 2% AHA Exfoliating and Brightening Toner
* **Bowl:** Captains Choice - Heavy Copper

**The Theme & The Shave**
Every legendary blade needs a master who understands its temper. Today, I reached for the **Tatara Muramasa**, keeping it dialed in on number 2 for the entire session. Like a finely honed katana, it was incredibly mild yet highly efficient, effortlessly cutting down three days of thick growth. Paired with a 2nd shave **Astra Green**, this razor delivered a swift, disciplined two-pass execution (WTG then ATG). The battle was clean—minimal feedback from the alum block, and even now, 12 hours later, the stubble remains thoroughly defeated.

To balance the precision of this modern Japanese steel, I retreated to the opposite side of the spectrum, journeying deep into the woods with **Stirling’s Ozark Mountain**. The scent is incredibly refreshing, bringing the crisp atmosphere of a mountain forest into the den. Stirling's dependable, ultra-slick lather provided the perfect canvas for a multi-pass shave. I even washed my face with the remaining lather afterward just to savor every last bit of that woodsy scent and slickness.

Whipping up this forest canopy was the **Simpson Commodore** badger. It’s an absolute workhorse of a brush—excellent backbone to scrub the face and get the hairs standing on end, while building a thick, pillowy lather that paints on smoothly with every pass.

Wishing a peaceful and happy Memorial Day to everyone, and happy shaving, friends! 🇺🇸🪒

**May. 21, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - Preshave
* **Brush:** Parker Arctic Storm
* **Razor:** Ascender Skyline
* **Blade:** Astra Superior Platinum (1)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Company - Lemon Chill - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Clubman Pinaud - - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium - Unscented - Lotion
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - 2% AHA Exfoliating and Brightening Toner
* **Bowl:** Captains Choice - Heavy Copper

Today I reached for the Ascender Skyline. This razor is like an old friend — you pick it up right where you left off, and it’s always dependable. It had been a little while since my last shave with the Skyline, but it absolutely did not disappoint. Another fantastic shave in the books.

I paired it with an Astra Green, which delivered exactly what I’ve come to expect: ultra-smooth, zero-nonsense BBS results. Two passes total — first WTG, second ATG — with just a few minor touch-ups to finish things off.

Needing a blast of energy this morning, I broke out Lemon Chill from Stirling Soap Company. Right out of the gate, the bright lemon scent hit me, immediately followed by that signature menthol cooling effect. This stuff doesn’t just wake you up — it clears the tear ducts and opens the sinuses while it’s at it. As always, the lather was slick, protective, and made for an effortless shave.

Today was particularly stressful. I had an executive roll-up with the team to present how we’re strategizing across the territory. I’ve got the best team in the industry and never doubted we’d deliver, but it’s still nerve-racking being a relatively new sales manager. In the end, we absolutely knocked it out of the park, and we’ll hit the ground running Tuesday.

Definitely looking forward to the much-needed 3-day weekend after tomorrow — thankfully, it should be an easy day.

Anyhow, give an old friend a call and say hello.

Happy shaving, friends!

Hey Shaving Friends,

I wanted to share a quick show-n-tell of a true work of art that just arrived from Augustin at Atelier Durdan. This is the Limited Edition "Crinière Ardente", released as a special tribute to the Fire Horse (Cheval de Feu) and Lunar New Year traditions.

This piece is incredible—only 20 examples will made worldwide, and I was fortunate enough to secure **No. 08 / 20**.

Because of the sheer artistry and limited nature of this build, I won’t be placing this razor into my daily den rotation for use. Instead, it’s going to be a permanent display piece that I just want to preserve, share, and enjoy purely for its craftsmanship.

**A few details on the materials and artistry:**

The Handle: Crafted from gorgeous Padauk wood, a noble wood known for its rich, fiery red undertones.

The Head: Solid bronze with a beautifully contrasted sandblasted and polished finish. The top cap features an intricate laser engraving representing a blazing horse's mane ("vestige of the fire horse passing at a passionate gallop").

The Base: Polished bronze, engraved with the Chinese character for "Horse" on the bottom.

Augustin's hand-made work out of Le Maurice/La Faulx lines is always impressive, but the thematic execution on this Special Edition is just next level.
Thought you all might appreciate a closer look at a rare one!

**May. 19, 2026**

* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Brush:** Simpson Commodore X2 Best Badger
* **Razor:** Razorine Chrome Shavette
* **Blade:** Personna GEM (4)
* **Lather:** Proraso - Oat & Green Tea - Tube
* **Post Shave:** Aqua Velva - Classic Ice Blue - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium - Unscented - Lotion
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Bowl:** Captains Choice - Heavy Copper

Today I was feeling a bit adventurous, so I reached all the way to the back of the shave cabinet and grabbed something that’s been hiding back there for a while now. I guess I finally worked up the courage to give it a spin.

I’m sure these have made their rounds around the community at one point or another, but I rarely see them posted — and honestly, after today, I think I know why. Going into this, I was fully expecting a complete hack job. To my surprise, it wasn't a total bloodbath! I managed to pull off a great result with a two-pass shave (WTG then ATG).

That ATG pass, though... what a challenge. Between the completely flat blade angle, the straight shavette-style handle, and trying to navigate the angles with my left hand without shaving completely blind, it was a genuine psychological thriller.

I paired the Razorine with the trusty ole Proraso White today. Man, I guess I’ve been heavily spoiled by artisanal small-batch soaps lately, because this stuff dried out *way* faster than I expected.

All in all, the mission to have an adventurous shave was a success, and I walked away with a pretty decent, close result. That said, the alum block absolutely slapped me across the face at the end, which was entirely expected. I walked away with just a few weepers, but this is definitely a technique I’ll have to put some serious time into before I get comfortable.

Happy Shaving, Friends!

A couple of absolute gems landed today and I couldn’t be more excited to get them into rotation.

First up is a 1959 Gillette 195 Adjustable “Fat Boy” NOS complete kit. This one is the full package—box, presentation, and that unmistakable mid-century engineering. The weight, the knurling, the adjustability… she’s a beauty and in unreal condition for being untouched all these years.

Next up is a 1973 Gillette Super 109 Adjustable NOS w/ Blade King set. Clean, crisp, and very much a sleeper in the adjustable lineup. Love the later-era Gillette engineering on these—super functional, underrated, and just flat-out cool to hold in hand.

Two very different eras of adjustables, but both scream classic Gillette craftsmanship.

As always—thanks for looking and happy shaving friends!

Picked up a new to me Muramasa adjustable safety razor to try out. Actually have a few artisan adjustable dice ordered to replace the Rockwell in the lineup.

**May. 13, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Brush:** Plisson Pur Blaireau High Mountain White Badger
* **Razor:** Gillette 46-49 Aristocrat
* **Blade:** Personna GEM (2)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Company - Baker Street - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Clubman Pinaud - - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium - Unscented - Lotion
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - 2% AHA Exfoliating and Brightening Toner
* **Bowl:** Captains Choice - Heavy Copper

First vintage razor shave in the books yesterday, and I have to say… I get the hype now.

Picked this Gillette Aristocrat up from an estate sale and based on the no date code TTO, I believe it’s a 1946-49 Aristocrat. Everything functions well, although one of the doors doesn’t fully open without a little assistance. It doesn’t really bother me during use, but if anyone has advice on an easy fix I’d love to hear it. Otherwise I may eventually send it off to Razor Emporium for a service if it starts bothering me enough.

Paired this vintage beauty with a fresh Personna GEM blade and went with a simple 2-pass shave (WTG/ATG). End result was a very smooth finish with just a bit of feedback from the alum block and aftershave splash.

For software, I reached for Stirling Soap Co. Baker Street along with the Plisson brush. Baker Street is one of those scents that instantly transports you into a relaxing shave. The scent, slickness, and post-shave feel are all fantastic and left my face feeling refreshed.

I thoroughly enjoyed this shave with a true piece of history. I’ve really enjoyed the artisan side of the hobby, and now I’m diving into the vintage side as well. Safe to say I love both.

The collection is growing fast now, and I’m already throwing around ideas of printing custom drawer holders and maybe even putting together a display for some of the collectible pieces.

All in all, a fantastic shave with a razor that reminds you they really knew how to build quality back in the day.

Happy shaving, friends!

I’ve just added two stunning vintage Gillette pieces to the den from a recent estate collection purchase. While the history of who performed the restoration remains a mystery, the craftsmanship is undeniable.

### **1946-47 Gillette Aristocrat (Replated)**
* **Condition:** The plating is absolutely top-shelf, giving it a mirror-like finish that makes it look as though it just rolled off the assembly line.
* **History:** Acquired through an estate sale; despite the lack of service records, the razor appears entirely unused since its restoration.

### **1920s Gillette New Standard Tuck Away (Replated)**
* **Condition:** This silver-screen era beauty features flawless plating and remains in pristine, "never used" condition.
* **History:** Also sourced from the same estate collection, this Tuck Away is a testament to high-quality restoration work, even if the artisan is unknown.

**May. 12, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - - Preshave
* **Brush:** Simpson Commodore X2 Best Badger
* **Razor:** Wolfman WR2
* **Blade:** Personna GEM (1)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Company - Executive Man - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Clubman Pinaud - - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Bathhouse Soapery & Caldarium - Unscented - Lotion
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Post Shave:** Thayers - 2% AHA Exfoliating and Brightening Toner
* **Bowl:** Captains Choice - Heavy Copper

First day back at work after an incredible trip to Costa Rica, and I needed something to get me back into gear. Enter Executive Man from Stirling Soap Co.—a perfect “kick in the pants” scent to reset the mindset and get the motivation flowing again.

Early morning started with breakfast alongside a VP before heading into a customer and partner meeting. The meeting went well, and I’ve got to say—starting the day with a great shave set the tone.

The star of the show, as always, was the Wolfman WR2 (.95). It continues to deliver that signature buttery-smooth efficiency that makes it hard to reach for anything else. I recently made it through the waiting list again and have a new Wolfman on the way—this time sticking with the WR2 head, but stepping up to a 1.15 gap. The idea is to keep that legendary smoothness while adding a bit more efficiency and just a touch more blade feel, without having to rely on absolute perfect technique. Really excited to see how it fits into the rotation and joins the den.

Everything else stayed classic and consistent:

* Simpson Commodore (badger)
* Captain’s copper bowl
* Alum block
* Thayers witch hazel
* Pinaud aftershave lotion

All in all, a great way to ease back into work mode.

Happy shaving friends!

A couple of vintage Gillette beauties landed today and I’m pretty excited about these additions to the den.

• 1960 Gillette 195 Adjustable “Fat Boy” complete with case and NOS blades (F3)

• 1962 Gillette Slim Adjustable Razor Kit with NOS blade dispenser (H3)

**May. 7, 2026**
* **Prep:** Shower - Bloom Water
* **Brush:** Parker Arctic Storm
* **Razor:** Rockwell 6S
* **Blade:** Personna Platinum (1)
* **Lather:** Stirling Soap Co - Island Man - Puck
* **Post Shave:** Aqua Velva - Classic Ice Blue - Aftershave
* **Post Shave:** Nivea Sensitive Skin - Balm
* **Post Shave:** The Shave Factory - Alum Block
* **Bowl:** Ezcora - Silicone Travel

Travel day yesterday brought us down to Costa Rica for a company award trip, followed by dinner on the beach last night. Slept great and today was exactly what was needed — slept in until 6:15, grabbed breakfast with the wife, attended our only quick executive meeting, and then spent the rest of the day soaking up some much-needed rest and relaxation before dinner reservations tonight.

Of course, I still snuck in a little time checking on the team and helping move a few deals along… some habits are hard to turn off.

Tonight’s shave came courtesy of the travel kit:

* Rockwell 6S (plate 2/4)
* Personna Platinum blade
* Parker synthetic brush
* Collapsible travel bowl

Software lineup:

* Stirling Soap Co. Island Man
* Alum block
* Aqua Velva Classic Ice
* Nivea Sensitive Skin
* Fragrance D&G The One

Island Man was exactly what I wanted after a hot day around the pool — fresh, tropical, and easy going. The Rockwell on plate 4 delivered a smooth 2-pass shave with just a touch of feedback from the alum. Finished everything off with the classic Aqua Velva Blue, Nivea, and now getting ready for dinner.

All in all, a fine day capped off with a relaxing shave.

Happy shaving, my friends!