Holyzeus
Forum GOD!
So true
Your ‘Best of’ and the not so good of 2017
- Thread starter Blackmass
- Start date
Benz3ne
Forum GOD!
Copy and pasted where I wrote it elsewhere - following the '3 good, 3 bad' of the thread from elsewhere.
You sunk my battleship.
#1 - Parker Variant
Why? It is the razor I would be able to see myself using every day without issue. I've recently found fondness for the Rockwell 6C as well, but the Parker has the off-the-cuff adjustability and is more aesthetically pleasing (subjective). Both have given great shaves, however. Great build quality for the price, especially as they're starting to show up in BST threads these days. Early iterations did have some plating issues but I've seen none of that with mine and the issue appears to have been entirely rectified.
#2 - Maseto 30mm 2-band finest
Why? Although I have sold mine on, it really did offer a value for money approach to trying out a good badger brush. As I'm relatively new to the 'game', I didn't want to fork out anything substantial only to forego the hobby. It doesn't hog lather, smells okay out of the box, is well made and soft to boot. I will revisit Maseto brushes, but probably a 24mm Silvertip next time... perhaps soon.
#3 - OSP Bay Rum
Why? Well, this one took the most deliberation. Do I choose a blade for #3 spot? Or an aftershave splash? Or the coveted BBA PSB? As soaps are an (almost) definite requirement for shaves (yes, you could use 'shave butter', or 'shaving oil' or canned goo...), I wondered which I would be able to use daily and why. The OSP offering is relatively inexpensive for its performance. It's easy to lather and gives great properties, including post-shave feel. It's scent could be used year-round, being exotic enough for the summer and spicy-warm for the winter.
There we go! Of course there are many an honourable mention - BBA PSB, Extro Splashes, Fine Soaps, Gillette Nacet blades, Rockwell 6C, Yaqi brushes, RazoRock Hawk... the list goes on! I think my approach isn't a bad one, to envisage one's self using only the chosen items. I feel I could use only the above 3, with a variety of blades, without the need for a post-shave on a daily basis without issue.
Go fish...
#1 - Rockwell 6S
Why? Must seem strange as I've mentioned the 6C favourably above... I was fortunate enough to be loaned this razor before thinking of buying one and I'm glad I took that opportunity. This razor was a hefty, well-finished beast. I love the look of it, but really struggled to get a decent shave at any of the settings. With the 6C, it was a case of 'Load up, plate #5 and away to go'. The shaving feel wasn't too dissimilar but the 6C was far, far smoother and seemed to give me more feedback. I'm sure with more time I might have gotten on with this razor, but for the price vs the 6C, the decision is a no-brainer.
#2 - Fiore & Frutta Mandorla Amara
Why? This soap and I simply didn't see eye to eye. I couldn't get a meaningful lather out of it. This is probably a testament to my ability to produce a lather but I've managed fine with other soaps for less effort. The scent, however, was pretty good.
#3 - S.V. Cosmo Splash
Why? Okay, I'm clutching at straws a bit here. If I had to be really pedantic to choose a third it'd be this. I've had some good fortune with shaving stuff over this last year but this one came across marginally sub-par. It was slightly sticky after use, had a strange 'oriental spicy' scent, not dissimilar to curry powder, when first applied and I had just hoped it smelled as good as the soap. I'm wondering whether the witch hazel was marginally too high a proportion to give the strange smell as I didn't notice it with the Manna di Sicilia (MdS) set I also had the fortune of trying. The MdS didn't come across sticky after use, either.
There we have it, guys! My 3 hits and 3 misses for the year!
You sunk my battleship.
#1 - Parker Variant
Why? It is the razor I would be able to see myself using every day without issue. I've recently found fondness for the Rockwell 6C as well, but the Parker has the off-the-cuff adjustability and is more aesthetically pleasing (subjective). Both have given great shaves, however. Great build quality for the price, especially as they're starting to show up in BST threads these days. Early iterations did have some plating issues but I've seen none of that with mine and the issue appears to have been entirely rectified.
#2 - Maseto 30mm 2-band finest
Why? Although I have sold mine on, it really did offer a value for money approach to trying out a good badger brush. As I'm relatively new to the 'game', I didn't want to fork out anything substantial only to forego the hobby. It doesn't hog lather, smells okay out of the box, is well made and soft to boot. I will revisit Maseto brushes, but probably a 24mm Silvertip next time... perhaps soon.
#3 - OSP Bay Rum
Why? Well, this one took the most deliberation. Do I choose a blade for #3 spot? Or an aftershave splash? Or the coveted BBA PSB? As soaps are an (almost) definite requirement for shaves (yes, you could use 'shave butter', or 'shaving oil' or canned goo...), I wondered which I would be able to use daily and why. The OSP offering is relatively inexpensive for its performance. It's easy to lather and gives great properties, including post-shave feel. It's scent could be used year-round, being exotic enough for the summer and spicy-warm for the winter.
There we go! Of course there are many an honourable mention - BBA PSB, Extro Splashes, Fine Soaps, Gillette Nacet blades, Rockwell 6C, Yaqi brushes, RazoRock Hawk... the list goes on! I think my approach isn't a bad one, to envisage one's self using only the chosen items. I feel I could use only the above 3, with a variety of blades, without the need for a post-shave on a daily basis without issue.
Go fish...
#1 - Rockwell 6S
Why? Must seem strange as I've mentioned the 6C favourably above... I was fortunate enough to be loaned this razor before thinking of buying one and I'm glad I took that opportunity. This razor was a hefty, well-finished beast. I love the look of it, but really struggled to get a decent shave at any of the settings. With the 6C, it was a case of 'Load up, plate #5 and away to go'. The shaving feel wasn't too dissimilar but the 6C was far, far smoother and seemed to give me more feedback. I'm sure with more time I might have gotten on with this razor, but for the price vs the 6C, the decision is a no-brainer.
#2 - Fiore & Frutta Mandorla Amara
Why? This soap and I simply didn't see eye to eye. I couldn't get a meaningful lather out of it. This is probably a testament to my ability to produce a lather but I've managed fine with other soaps for less effort. The scent, however, was pretty good.
#3 - S.V. Cosmo Splash
Why? Okay, I'm clutching at straws a bit here. If I had to be really pedantic to choose a third it'd be this. I've had some good fortune with shaving stuff over this last year but this one came across marginally sub-par. It was slightly sticky after use, had a strange 'oriental spicy' scent, not dissimilar to curry powder, when first applied and I had just hoped it smelled as good as the soap. I'm wondering whether the witch hazel was marginally too high a proportion to give the strange smell as I didn't notice it with the Manna di Sicilia (MdS) set I also had the fortune of trying. The MdS didn't come across sticky after use, either.
There we have it, guys! My 3 hits and 3 misses for the year!
Burgundy
Forum GOD!
I'm only including non-vintage items that I've tried for the first time in 2017. That means that this list excludes vintage items that I’ve picked up for the first time this year (e.g. the Hybrid Tech) as well as in-production items that I’ve been using since 2016 and earlier (e.g. Eufros, Mike’s and Nuàvia soap formulations).
I’ve also divided my list up a little more - just because I’m difficult.
Hits
Blackland Blackbird SB
APShaveCo Cashmere
Morris & Forndran 2XL Finest
Eufros Bálsamo after shave
Near misses
Blackland Blackbird OC
Wolfman Guerrilla
Maseto Shaving
Barrister & Mann
Clear misses
Timeless
APShaveCo Tuxedo
In the balance
Blackland Sabre L1 & 2
Grooming Dept
I’ve also divided my list up a little more - just because I’m difficult.
Hits
Blackland Blackbird SB
APShaveCo Cashmere
Morris & Forndran 2XL Finest
Eufros Bálsamo after shave
Near misses
Blackland Blackbird OC
Wolfman Guerrilla
Maseto Shaving
Barrister & Mann
Clear misses
Timeless
APShaveCo Tuxedo
In the balance
Blackland Sabre L1 & 2
Grooming Dept
Last edited:
Thug
Let's talk about 6, Baby.
I've had a good 2017 with the Hits far outweighing the Misses/Near Misses
Hits
Being introduced to this Forum
Software
Martin De Candre
Grooming Dept
Phoenix & Beau
Hardware
Straight Razors
Iwasaki
Tanifuji
Jack Connan Custom
Strops
Mastro Livi Loom
Brushes
Paladin
Thater
WildWest Brushworks
Misses
K-Shave Worx soap
Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic - I dropped it and seriously chipped the handle although I managed to re-glue the chipped pieces.
Near Misses
Robert Williams Kamisori - Ordered on a group buy in June, still waiting to receive.
Spiffoman Brush - shed hair like my cat until I changed the knot.
Hits
Being introduced to this Forum
Software
Martin De Candre
Grooming Dept
Phoenix & Beau
Hardware
Straight Razors
Iwasaki
Tanifuji
Jack Connan Custom
Strops
Mastro Livi Loom
Brushes
Paladin
Thater
WildWest Brushworks
Misses
K-Shave Worx soap
Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic - I dropped it and seriously chipped the handle although I managed to re-glue the chipped pieces.
Near Misses
Robert Williams Kamisori - Ordered on a group buy in June, still waiting to receive.
Spiffoman Brush - shed hair like my cat until I changed the knot.
Acer89
James
Strictly 2017
Hits
- Mikes Hungarian Lavender Soap (knocked Castle Forbes Lavender off the top spot)
- SS Weber on Classic Handle
- RR SS Mamba
- RR All Ti Baby Smooth
- Muhle Rocca R95 with Birch Bark Handle
- Barbaros TR-2
- Parker Variant
- 'O' type Clone Injector
- Wickhams Classic 24
- Czech & Speake 88 dish and soap
- Saponificio Varesino Manna di Sicilia
- Rockwell 6C
- Schick Prolines B20's and P30's
- Barbaros & Rocnel Adjustable
- Stirling Barbershop
- Brad Sears Shave Works CHS Manchunian 26mm Bulb
- My collection of knots from 'The Golden Nib'
- Mergress Short Handle
- The loans, freebies and samples kindly gifted throughout the year. (Thank You)
Miss
- Polished Blackbird SB - (too harsh and uncomfortable)
- De Verulde Soap - (gave me a terrible rash)
- RazoRock MJ-90 - (Not a bad razor just too mild)
- H. L. Thater 4125/4 2-Band Silvertip 30mm Fan Knot - (Beautiful but just too big and up for sale in BST
Last edited:
iamsms
Video Assistant Referee
Hits:
But 2016's hits or misses aren't included in this list.
Items that stand out among others listed are shown in bold for one reason or another.
- BlackBird Machined SB - Modified, Rockwell 6S, Mamba, Aristocrat 48-50, Fatboy
- Soaps: Barrister & Mann Reserve, Grooming Dept, Wholly Kaw DM, MdC Rose, Jabonman, Nuavia, Noble Otter
- Gem Junior 1912, BlackLand Sabre, OneBlade Genesis
- AP Tuxedo, Cashmere, Zenith Boar, Unknown Brand Badger, Original Plisson(s), EJ 25mm Synthetic, Yaqi brushes
- Pretty much every synthetic
- ATT M1, Ti BabySmooth, Slim, Tech, New, Old Type, Fatip Gentile, AS/D-2, MJ-90
- Soaps: B&M 42 2017 (I remembered a different scent from 2016), GFT, Fine, TOBS, Dr. Jon, MdC Citrus, Tabula Rasa
- G Bar, Clog Pruf, MMOC, GEM 1912 Silver, 1924, 1914, General
- Paladin, Simpson Chubby 2 Best, M&F (Brad Sears), Custom Brushes from Etsy, 21mm EJ Synthetic
- Shobudani Type 100, Thuringian (My fault - not skilled enough)
- Water at new apartment.
- Guerrilla, Timeless
- CRSW New version at the beginning of year, Esbjerg
- Red Tip
- Shavemac, LS Shaving 26mm
But 2016's hits or misses aren't included in this list.
Items that stand out among others listed are shown in bold for one reason or another.
Shaverrific666
368
Hits:
1.) Shavemac...Bernd is just consistently doing the business at the badger end of things
2.) Wickhams 1912..i'm a triple milled tallow guy..but Darron's soap is hard to beat.
3.) Russian blades (Rubies, Nacets, Permas, Polsilvers Astra SS) tried a lot of others the Russian always win..Wilkinson Sword..pah do me a favour.
4.) MS brushes bought them as LS..flogged them..they became MS, quality improved..value phenomenal..handles still a bit meh but value and customer service 100% .
5.) Wolfman Guerrilla SB and OC smooth..and weird looking... winner.
6.) Classic splashes Proraso Sandalwood..feels great on my wintry skin soothing and moisturising. The green is great too.
7.) This forum..great people,humour and silliness, generosity and knowledge but a genuine sense of online community.
8.) LEA aftershave Balm, cheap and amazing quality..one of the best balms I've used.
9.) LPL Tallow really good !!
Misses:
1.) LPL Vegetal ..too much work for a lather that's meh good scents and packaging though.
2.) Floris soap current formulation SHOCKING so much so I plan to "Frisbee" my puck through the window of 89 Jermyn street when next in the big smoke.
3.) SMN customer service poor..hence I've never tried the stuff.
1.) Shavemac...Bernd is just consistently doing the business at the badger end of things
2.) Wickhams 1912..i'm a triple milled tallow guy..but Darron's soap is hard to beat.
3.) Russian blades (Rubies, Nacets, Permas, Polsilvers Astra SS) tried a lot of others the Russian always win..Wilkinson Sword..pah do me a favour.
4.) MS brushes bought them as LS..flogged them..they became MS, quality improved..value phenomenal..handles still a bit meh but value and customer service 100% .
5.) Wolfman Guerrilla SB and OC smooth..and weird looking... winner.
6.) Classic splashes Proraso Sandalwood..feels great on my wintry skin soothing and moisturising. The green is great too.
7.) This forum..great people,humour and silliness, generosity and knowledge but a genuine sense of online community.
8.) LEA aftershave Balm, cheap and amazing quality..one of the best balms I've used.
9.) LPL Tallow really good !!
Misses:
1.) LPL Vegetal ..too much work for a lather that's meh good scents and packaging though.
2.) Floris soap current formulation SHOCKING so much so I plan to "Frisbee" my puck through the window of 89 Jermyn street when next in the big smoke.
3.) SMN customer service poor..hence I've never tried the stuff.
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Wayne
Forum Sod
2017 Hits;
Blackbird OC...Just Wow!
Asylum Evolution.. Wow!
Muhle Rocca..Wow!
Vreto soaps..Nice!
Route 66 Soaps..Wow!
Shark blades..Awesomeness
Maseto 2 band finest..unbelievable value to price. Don't know how they do it and you have to be really picky to fault them.
2017 Misses
One blade Core...I'm not paying that for blades!
Timeless 0.68..just not comfortable for me a shame as it looked nice
Any Gem style or injector using Personna blades. Not the razors fault but man those blades were ruff
Truefit and Hill creams...Thin, watery and chucked out
All in all a good purchasing year has been had and I look forward to another next year.
Blackbird OC...Just Wow!
Asylum Evolution.. Wow!
Muhle Rocca..Wow!
Vreto soaps..Nice!
Route 66 Soaps..Wow!
Shark blades..Awesomeness
Maseto 2 band finest..unbelievable value to price. Don't know how they do it and you have to be really picky to fault them.
2017 Misses
One blade Core...I'm not paying that for blades!
Timeless 0.68..just not comfortable for me a shame as it looked nice
Any Gem style or injector using Personna blades. Not the razors fault but man those blades were ruff
Truefit and Hill creams...Thin, watery and chucked out
All in all a good purchasing year has been had and I look forward to another next year.
Last edited:
nervosa1901
50501
Winners:
Ebonite D01 Shavemacs
Charcoal Goods razors
OSP creams
Losers:
I'm sure there were a few... Old age must be setting in.
Ebonite D01 Shavemacs
Charcoal Goods razors
OSP creams
Losers:
I'm sure there were a few... Old age must be setting in.
Conservator
Forum GOD!
I will limit my selection primarily to items tried for the first time in 2017.
Hits:
Hits:
- Paladin larger knot brushes
- AP Shaving Tuxedo
- Omega Hi syn
- Timeless DE
- Haslinger soaps
- Mongoose razor
- Kai Mild blade
- Williams (tried for the third year in a row).
- Clubman soap
BlacknTan
Forum GOD!
Hits?
The revelation of Artisan soaps that lather with the best soaps out there. I've been notably disappointed in artisan soaps over the years, but this year I bought some Wickham's 1912, which turned my thinking around 180 degrees, and a few others as gifts that also were superb performers!
Can't think of any real misses this year...
The revelation of Artisan soaps that lather with the best soaps out there. I've been notably disappointed in artisan soaps over the years, but this year I bought some Wickham's 1912, which turned my thinking around 180 degrees, and a few others as gifts that also were superb performers!
Can't think of any real misses this year...
halvor
a most elusive fish
?? No water? Bad water?
iamsms
Video Assistant Referee
I haven’t had the water tested, but based on the fact that it has become harder to lather some soaps that I had no issues before, paired with hard to remove soap scum in my razors, dripping trays at kitchen, I am inclined to believe I have ‘hard water’