After a long wait since 15.05.2026, my Captain Nemo’s order has finally arrived! 😁
Pictured:
- Vintage Shaving Soap
- The Shepherd (Wool Fat Recipe) Shaving Soap
- Green Ice Aftershave
First impressions are excellent, and I’m especially curious to see how the two soaps perform in terms of lather, slickness, and post-shave feel.
Pre: Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel + Virgin Coconut Oil
Razor: Parker Semi-Slant
Blade: Parker Premium Platinum (3rd Use)
Brush: Den of Man
Cream: Park Avenue
Post: Alum → Bath → Rubab Balm (Gifted by u/okiedokiecool) → Minimalist HOCL
The Park Avenue cream lacked lather but made up for it with decent slickness. The Parker Semi-Slant and Parker Premium Platinum combo was exceptionally smooth.
2 passes (WTG, XTG) with a little ATG on the lower lip. Minimal alum feedback. Leftover lather was used as a face wash before the bath.
Result: DFS+, almost BBS.
Pre-Shave
Warm water bath
Rustic Art Neem Basil Facewash Concentrate
Brush
Den of Man Synthetic
Lather
Gillette Regular Shaving Cream
Bowl lathered in a coconut bowl
Razor
Parker Semi-Slant
Blade
Parker Premium Platinum (2nd use)
Post-Shave
Alum
Gillette Refreshing Breeze ASL
Minimalist HOCL Spray
Boroline
Today’s shave was with the Parker Semi-Slant paired with a 2nd-use Parker Premium Platinum blade. This razor continues to impress with its efficiency while remaining comfortable when handled with a light touch.
The Gillette Regular Shaving Cream produced a serviceable lather, though I wasn’t particularly impressed with its volume or richness. That said, the slickness was surprisingly good and provided adequate protection throughout the shave.
Had a small razor sting below the left cheek near the starting point of the chin—most likely a reminder to stay mindful of angle and pressure with the Semi-Slant. Alum feedback was average, confirming a reasonably clean shave overall.
As usual, the leftover brush lather doubled up as a face wash before the post-shave routine. Finished with Gillette Refreshing Breeze ASL, Minimalist HOCL Spray, and a layer of Boroline to keep things calm and hydrated.
Overall: A close, efficient shave with minor feedback and a good reminder that the Semi-Slant rewards respect and punishes complacency. 😄
Happy Shaving!
The Saga of the First Slant
After a cold-water cleansing beneath the northern streams, the warrior stood before the mirror-fjord with neither oil nor potion to aid him. No pre-shave enchantments. No hidden blessings. Only steel, lather, and fate.
Upon the wooden altar rested a newly forged weapon—the Parker Semi Slant (55SLSC). Freshly acquired and untested, it marked the warrior’s transition from the trusted Bombay Shaving Company Safety Razor to a more formidable blade-bearing relic.
Into the razor was seated a Parker Premium Platinum blade, the very steel gifted by the smiths alongside the razor itself.
The Patanjali Herbal Shaving Cream was summoned into a humble coconut bowl, where thick clouds of lather were whipped into existence. With brush in hand, the battlefield was prepared.
⚔️** Pass I – With The Grain (WTG**)
The Semi Slant moved across the face like a longship cutting through calm waters. Efficient, smooth, and surprisingly disciplined for a weapon of unfamiliar design.
⚔️** Pass II – Across The Grain (XTG**)
The slanted edge revealed its true nature. Stubble fell in neat rows, and only upon the lower lip did the warrior dare invoke a brief ATG strike, precise and measured.
When the battle ended, the mirror revealed a face approaching the legendary halls of Almost BBS—smooth enough that even the Valkyries would approve.
The post-battle rites followed:
🛡️ Alum Block – Silent as a sleeping giant, offering** no sting whatsoeve**r.
🛡️ Old Spice Original ASL – The scent of seasoned warriors returning from conquest.
🛡️ Minimalist HOCL – A cleansing blessing upon the battlefield.
🛡️ Patanjali Gulab Jal – Rose-kissed waters to close the gates of the pores.
🛡️ Boroline – The final healing salve bestowed by the gods.
Verdict:
For a maiden voyage, the Parker Semi Slant proved itself worthy of song and remembrance. Smooth, efficient, and remarkably forgiving. If this first encounter is any indication, many future sagas shall be written with this slanted blade at the warrior’s side.
May your lather remain rich, your blades remain keen, and your alum stay forever silent. 🍻⚔️🛶
A relaxed Sunday afternoon shave and another step in my transition from the Gillette Guard to traditional DE shaving.
Gear Used
Pre-Shave
Cold water bath
Patanjali Virgin Coconut Oil
Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel
Shave
Patanjali Shaving Cream
Den of Man Synthetic Brush
Face lathering
Bombay Shaving Company DE Razor
Feather Blade (4th use, flipped for its final outing)
Post-Shave
Alum
Old Spice Original ASL
Minimalist HOCL Spray (newly acquired, first use)
Patanjali Gulab Jal as toner
Boroline
The shave was mostly comfortable, though the Feather blade had clearly reached the end of its service life. I decided to flip it for one last use before retirement.
The result was decent overall, but the old warrior left behind two small reminders:
One nick on the right lower lip
One nick below the left moustache area
Nothing serious, and the alum quickly let me know exactly where my technique still needs improvement.
Today’s shave also marked the first use of the Minimalist HOCL Spray. Too early for a detailed opinion, but the initial experience was pleasant.
Finally, the Feather blade was retired after four uses and dropped into the blade bin—my first blade to complete its journey since moving from cartridge shaving to DE shaving.
A few nicks, a few lessons, and another enjoyable shave in the books.
Happy Shaves, everyone! 🪒
A relaxed Sunday afternoon shave and another step in my transition from the Gillette Guard to traditional DE shaving.
Gear Used
Pre-Shave
Cold water bath
Patanjali Virgin Coconut Oil
Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel
Shave
Patanjali Shaving Cream
Den of Man Synthetic Brush
Face lathering
Bombay Shaving Company DE Razor
Feather Blade (4th use, flipped for its final outing)
Post-Shave
Alum
Old Spice Original ASL
Minimalist HOCL Spray (newly acquired, first use)
Patanjali Gulab Jal as toner
Boroline
The shave was mostly comfortable, though the Feather blade had clearly reached the end of its service life. I decided to flip it for one last use before retirement.
The result was decent overall, but the old warrior left behind two small reminders:
One nick on the right lower lip
One nick below the left moustache area
Nothing serious, and the alum quickly let me know exactly where my technique still needs improvement.
Today’s shave also marked the first use of the Minimalist HOCL Spray. Too early for a detailed opinion, but the initial experience was pleasant.
Finally, the Feather blade was retired after four uses and dropped into the blade bin—my first blade to complete its journey since moving from cartridge shaving to DE shaving.
A few nicks, a few lessons, and another enjoyable shave in the books.
Happy Shaves, everyone! 🪒
#The Ballad of the Coconut Bowl & Mild-Plated Feathered Steel ⚔️🥥
Brothers… today’s shave was not a mere grooming ritual.
It was a tropical war campaign conducted beneath the blessings of steel, sandalwood, and old gods of the bathroom realm.
The battle began after a cold water cleansing rite, followed by the sacred concoction:
Rustic Art Neem & Basil Facewash Concentrate, joined with Aloe Vera and Virgin Coconut Oil — a slick protective charm worthy of ancient healers.
Then came the lathering ceremony inside the mighty Coconut Bowl.
The Den of Man brush entered the arena like a seasoned berserker… though today, the water spirits grew overenthusiastic. 😄
Too much water was summoned into the mixture, and the Vicco lather turned thinner than intended. Not disastrous… but certainly more “monsoon potion” than “Valhalla yogurt.”
Still, Vicco rose bravely — herbal, nostalgic, dependable.
The weapon of choice:
Bombay Shaving Company DE Razor fitted with the Mild Plate — a calmer warrior’s shield paired with a Feather blade on its 3rd deployment.
A combination that whispered:
“Controlled aggression.”
Two passes were undertaken:
⚔️ WTG
⚔️ ATG
Steel marched smoothly across the plains… though not without sacrifice.
A minor nick appeared upon the left chinlands.
The blood mark now immortalized upon the razor itself through AI sorcery. 😄
Post-battle recovery included:
• Residual lather cleanse
• BSC Alum — delivering the sacred “2-point approval”
⚔️ One sting upon the nick
⚔️ One sting upon the chin — my eternal weak spot in DE warfare
• Old Spice Original carrying the scent of veteran warriors
• Boroline sealing the campaign
• Kailas Jeevan dispatched specifically to tend the wounded chin soldier
Result:
A respectable near-BBS victory despite the watery lather rebellion.
The gods of alum have spoken.
The shave was approve
🛡️
:::
Monday morning.
Quiet house. Slight chill in the air.
One of those shaves that slowly turns from routine… into ritual.
Pre-shave: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser + Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel + Virgin Coconut Oil
Brush: Den of Men Synthetic
Razor: Bombay Shaving Company (Mild Plate)
Blade: Feather (2nd use)
Lather: Vicco Shaving Cream
Bowl: Coconut shell bowl
Post-shave: BSC Alum → Old Spice Original (after bath) → Boroline
The Den of Men Synthetic hit the Vicco cream and instantly transformed the coconut shell bowl into a storm of dense white lather. Thick. Creamy. Cushiony enough to make the Feather behave itself… mostly.
First pass — WTG. Smooth.
Second pass — ATG. Closer. Sharper.
A few careful touch-ups while the morning stayed silent except for blade noise and running water.
The Feather on its second use still carried that unmistakable personality: efficient, precise, and always slightly threatening 😄
Used the leftover lather as a face wash before rinsing off — one of those tiny wetshaving pleasures that somehow feels luxurious.
And then, right in the middle of the shave…
Doorbell.
Parcel delivery.
Opened the package with half-wet hands like a man possessed and there it was — the legendary Arko shaving stick finally arriving mid-shave like some ancient artifact entering the story at exactly the right moment.
Didn’t use it today.
But tomorrow already feels decided.
Applied the BSC alum immediately after the shave and got exactly two points of feedback — one on the chin and one on the left side of the neck. Not punishment… just the Feather reminding me that respect must always be maintained.
After the bath came the final act:
Old Spice Original for the nostalgia.
Boroline for the comfort.
And just like that, Monday morning felt a little less ordinary.
Some people see shaving as just another part of the morning routine.
But traditional wet shaving has a way of turning a simple task into something slower, more deliberate, and strangely satisfying — a ritual built around steel, lather, technique, and experimentation.
This week’s acquisitions officially pushed me deeper into that rabbit hole.
At the center of the setup is the Parker Semi-Slant, a razor I’ve been very excited to try after hearing so many good things about it.
Huge thanks to u/Okiedokie_cool for recommending both the razor and the lather bowl.
The bowl has exactly that handmade, rustic character that somehow makes the whole setup feel even more enjoyable.
Also, a special thanks to Glowshines.com for the excellent blade sampler pack. Honestly, this feels like the perfect way to explore how dramatically different blades can change the personality of a razor.
New Additions:
- Parker Semi-Slant DE Razor
- Vicco Turmeric-S Sandalwood shaving cream
- Den of Man shaving brush
- Handmade-style lather bowl
- Blade bank for retired warriors
- Blade sampler collection featuring:
- Willy’s Premium
- Pro 500 Cryo Platinum
- Super Power
- Vi-John Chrome Platinum
- Topaz Platinum
- Laser Ultra
- Winner
- Zorrik
- Gillette 7 O’Clock variants
- Gallant Super Stainless
- RK Stainless
- Silvermax
- Shavex Platinum
There’s something oddly cinematic about opening fresh blade tucks one by one — each carrying its own reputation, quirks, and loyal fanbase.
Some are praised for smoothness.
Some for sharpness.
Some only reveal their magic after the second shave.
Still early in the journey, but this already feels less like grooming… and more like a hobby that keeps evolving with every shave.
Can’t wait to start testing combinations. 🪒✨
New hotel. Same brush. Same razor.
Only the shave gel changed… because apparently that’s how I keep life exciting now.
Hotel bathrooms have witnessed two kinds of men:
Those rushing through a shave…
and those turning it into a ritual.
Today’s shave:
- 2 passes — WTG & ATG
- Gillette Guard doing Guard things (2nd Shave with this legend)
- Gillette Series Sensitive Gel
- Cetaphil pre-shave cleanse
- Pink Woolf boar still surviving every trip like a veteran road warrior
- Old Spice finish to smell like every Indian dad’s definition of confidence
Outside the room:
Deadlines, meetings, luggage, traffic, noise.
Inside the mirror:
Cold water. Steel on skin. Silence.
There’s something oddly satisfying about carrying a familiar shave ritual into unfamiliar places. No matter the city or room number, the morning starts the same — cold water splash, brush loaded, blade ready.
Minimal setup. Maximum comfort.
Travel shave approved. ✈️
Sometimes the best shaves are the simplest ones.
No fancy setup, no dozen products — just a reliable travel kit doing its job perfectly.
Travel Day Setup:
After bath prep
Cetaphil Facewash as pre-shave
Pink Woolf Boar Brush
Gillette Guard — my trusted travel razor
The Gentleman Shave Gel (hotel provided)
Old Spice Original After Shave
The Pink Woolf boar continues to prove that a well-used brush has its own character, and the Gillette Guard once again reminded me why it remains unbeatable for hassle-free travel shaves.
Finished with the timeless Old Spice Original splash — because some classics never disappoint.
Nothing luxurious, just comfortable, efficient, and familiar. Exactly what a travel shave should be.
Long post ahead for fellow wet shaving enthusiasts who enjoy the little details of the ritual. Today’s shave felt less like grooming and more like reconnecting with the classic art of traditional wet shaving.
After a refreshing bath and cleansing my face with Cetaphil face wash, I started the prep with a homemade pre-shave mix of Patanjali Aloe Vera Gel and Virgin Coconut Oil. The slickness and hydration from the mix gave the skin a soft, nourished base for the shave ahead.
For the shave itself, I brought out two old companions — my 10-year-old Bombay Shaving Company DE razor and my equally old Pink Woolf boar brush. Both are now showing their age gracefully. The razor still shaves reliably after all these years, while the brush has started shedding a few bristles here and there, almost like an old warrior carrying the marks of countless battles fought.
The highlight was definitely the last remaining Feather blade in my den, on its very first use. A fresh Feather blade always commands respect.
The lather came from Rustic Art soap, built directly on the face into a slick and creamy lather. I kept the shave straightforward with two passes — first with the grain and then against the grain. The Feather blade performed beautifully, delivering a close and efficient shave with ease.
Not a completely bloodless victory though — ended up with two small nicks, a gentle reminder that Feather blades reward focus and punish overconfidence. Still, the shave overall was extremely smooth and satisfying.
Post shave included Alum for feedback, followed by the classic splash of Old Spice Original After Shave, and finally Boroline to lock in the comfort.
Result: smooth, refreshed skin, a near-BBS finish, two tiny battle marks, and that unmatched satisfaction only a traditional wet shave can deliver.