This evening used the shaving theme 'I did my time'
The past few days saw me have some time away with Mrs SF in Aberystwyth. I love the coastal towns in Wales and Aberystwyth sits towards the top of my list. Rhyll somewhere down at the bottom which is why I visit once a year just remind myself not to go there the following year. And fail. My father's mother tongue is Welsh and even he is bewildered by the complete lack of vowels in the language. The biggest lesson I have learnt down the years is never ask for directions. But I have travelled to something like 75% of the world's countries in my 42 years at sea and Wales for me is as beautiful as they come when the weather is kind. Finding the good weather being the difficult part. This past few days were fortunately very pleasant........and then it turned.
This time away had me take the Colonial General so as to draw some comparisons with the on loan Cobra. Now back home this evening this was to be my time with the Cobra and it has been a most enjoyable time having it in the armoury.
15 years to life - Cobra
10 years with early release for good behaviour - Kai Captain
Life meaning life - Cadman 30mm Tuxedo in copper and black
Gone and never to return to her majesty's pleasure - OSP Barber shop cream
2 years inside remaining - OSP Barber shop aftershave tonic
Escaped and on the run - A rather depleted tube of L'Occitane Cade aftershave balm
This past week has been a great learning curve in shaving and lessons learnt include:
- Cold water shaving is the way to go. Smoother, less weepers and less nicks.
- Cobra razors just have to be up with the best there is out there
- James @OSP should do time for not continuing with his great products Bye Bye Barbershop cream never to return
- L'Occitane Cade aftershave balm doesn't last forever
- Mervyn Cadman makes incredible brushes
Drawing comparisons between The Cobra and The General is actually not that easy. When it comes to design they are opposite ends of the spectrum. One is a big chunk of SS which uses its weight advantage to get end results whereas the other is very slimline and very manoeuvrable. Both are incredibly smooth to use and both deliver the most fantastic end results with minimum fuss and minimum collateral.
I am not sure about the handle on the Cobra and I find the General's handle allows for a touch more control being more conventional and familiar. However there is a solution in the King Cobra and it will be this which I will be on the hunt for. I really hate this bloody place, discovering new razors and discovering a growing 'must have' list. My missus hates it even more and my bank manager is perplexed by how much razors can cost.
In summary I cannot favour one over the other. I am pleased to own a General and it has been an absolute pleasure to have loaned the Cobra. It will be hard to hand it over to the Post Office tomorrow. I wish it would get lost somewhere between the shower room cabinet and the shower room door, but
@Barry Giddens has been a star and a very kind chap to have given me this opportunity. But he bloody well knew it would bring withdrawal symptoms and it will take weeks at Razors Anonymous meetings to shake this one out of my system. Cold turkey here I come.
The other star of this evening for a first time appearance on my SOTD's is that most wonderful Mervyn Cadman creation, a 30mm synthetic Tuxedo brush in copper and black. This is a real monster and with its lovely wide body which is perfect for my shovel head hands manages to produce more lather than I care to think of. It doesn't stop there as it manages to apply to face with brilliant effect. I absolutely love this piece of artistic wonder and to own is to love. Worth every bit of the 3 week wait. May be I still don't understand this brush thing but I think I am taking my first steps on a slippery slope.
This evening's cold water shave was as good as any other using the Cobra and I sit here prattling away feeling incredibly smooth and refined. The minus points being I saw the last (ever?) of the OSP Barber Shop cream and the last of the Cade aftershave balm. Not all at a loss though as I manged to get some more Cade this afternoon. Please take note James some companies manage to continue with their products
A great shave was had and yes, I did my time and so did Jonathan Davies and the brilliant Korn