Proraso tube v bowl

I love my green co Bigelow cream so I'm thinking of ordering a couple of other proraso colors. My only question is what are the bowls like compared to the tubes? I've not had luck lathering the soaps I have so I don't want the bowl if it's harder to later up.

Picked up my first TOBS cream today.

Was out and about picking up some other toiletries when I decided it was time to pull the trigger. Swung by the local House of Knives (who sells a pretty decent selection of soaps, creams, DEs and straights, for my fellow Canadians) to see what they had.



It was between lemon/lime, avocado, coconut, Jermyn St. And sandalwood. I ended up going with the sandalwood.



WOWEE what a lather. The stuff just exploded in the brush! And the scent was incredible. I've heard that this sandalwood (and most others) are not really true sandalwood, but I wouldn't know, I've never smelled the real deal. I do know that I really dig this stuff, though. Not to mention it is outrageously slick.



I'm currently growing some mutton chops, so I only got to shave my neck and chin today, but my neck got one of the best, least irritated shaves ive ever had. Usually to the right of my adams apple is a nightmare, but not today. Almost made me reconsider the whole sideburns thing...



Do all tobs creams perform basically the same? Or do the different scents have different formulations? Now that I've tried one, and I can buy it locally, I'm definitely going to pick up another one in the future. Pretty stoked on this so far.

Comparing Semogue 1800 and 1250

I am really happy with my Semogue 1800; but after reading more info on Semogue's 1800 profile series--1305, 1250, 1800; softest to firmest bristles--I thought I'd try the next softest brush, the 1250. The 1305 is much like the 830, which is a bit soft for me; I like a little gentle, nonabrasive, and barely perceptible scritch in a brush.



I received th3 1250 from Bullgoose this afternoon, thanks to Phil's super-fast fulfillment. I soaked, lathered, and thoroughly dried it 4 times before trying a face lather. The 1250 already feels nice and makes a billowy lather (I'm using Arko; I mix load and mix in the same bowl and face lather then paint before shaving.



Semogue has it right: the 1250 is a bit softer than the 1800; and at under $20 for either bush, owning both is doable.



Spec's on this series from the firmest (1800) to the softest (1305). The 1250 is the middle firm/soft brush of these three.



Semogue 1800 Shaving Brush: Beech-wood handle; banded imitation badger Extra 75% tops mixed with Banded imitation badger Premium 90% tops. Handle: 53 mm, Knot: 22 mm, Loft: 55 mm.



Semogue 1250 Shaving Brush: Portuguese Oak-wood handle. White Best 90% tops. Handle: 53 mm, Knot: 22 mm, Loft: 55 mm.





Semogue 1305 Shaving Brush: Beech-wood handle; Banded imitation badger Premium 90% tops. Handle; 53mm, Knot: 22 mm, Loft: 55 mm.



Semogue has an excellent and reasonably priced series of brushes in the above. If one wants to keep wet shaving simple and effective without having to spend more than $20 on a great brush, either of the above may be a 'best buy' in boar brushes.



I'll keep the 1800 and 1250 'hanging' in my den (euphemism for bathroom); but for the next several shaves or more, I'll get into the 1250. It feels as if it has the 'right' firmness and feel for this wet-shaver. If any of you have been looking for the right brush, for about $60 you can own all three of the above. Had I owned the 1250 as my first brush in this series, I'd likely have stayed with it. Looks great and feels equally as good; and for me, the 1800 and the 1250 are the best boar brushes I've used from other Semogue and Omega boar-bristle lathering machines.

Good starting DE razor.

Hey Gents,



I am currently wanting to expand to DE shaving. What would be a good razor to start off with?

Im looking for "Skin Food" which is the best?

A few years ago I was a member of this forum and at the tie there was a skin food aftershave that was supposed to be awesome. I recently got back into wet shaving and today I purchased Maca Root Shave Cream from The Body Shop. I thought it was Trumpers Skin food but I dont think it sounds right, I vaguely remember it being pink in color.

What are your experiences with the unrefined Shea butter

... a little unrefined Shea Butter story ...

I swim a lot (open ocean) and outside the summer I do it at public bassins.

For some years ago (10+), I've got some kind of swamp on my right feet from the public shower. I had some red marks until now.

I read a lot about Shea Butter healing ability and I used it on my foot for about a 2 weeks.

The swamp is GONE !





What are your experiences with the unrefined Shea butter ?

Alt Innsbruck AS - Am I Missing Something?

I finally got around to trying a sample of Alt Innsbruck AS, just because of all the rave reviews. But am I missing something? I don't care for it (the scent) one bit - smells like cheap women's perfume to me - cloying, strong, lingers, smells like bubblegum. I could only stand it for about 15 minutes before washing it off. Clearly this must be one of the biggest "YMMV" after shaves out there.



I mean no offense to those who love it - there are MANY fragrances that are polarizing - just wondering if anyone else doesn't like it, or am I alone on an island on this one?........BTW, I will admit that it feels good on the skin after a shave, just not to my nose.