Pre: Valobra Glycerlanolina soap, Castle Forbes Pre-shave
Brush: Semogue Owners Club Boar
Soap: Lea Classic (tallow formula)
Razor: UFO Goliath / ATT S1
Blade: Vintage Gillette Spoiler (1)
Post: Myrsol Emulsion
Splash: APR Aqua Di Sydney
For the first time in ages, I used a pre-shave other than Myrsol Emulsion, giving the Castle Forbes a go. It is a different beast altogether; water soluble with no scent. It is a product that your skin and whiskers absorb (by design), whilst the Emulsion leaves a slick layer that lasts after application. This doesn't necessarily mean it is superior - the products work in different ways.
Lathered up with good old Lea tallow, and just for good measure, added a wee bit of Lea Classic shaving cream. As expected, lather exploded from my SOC boar; I had enough for 4 or 5 passes if needed.
I was surprised at the efficiency of the Spoiler - I was comparing it directly to the Super Silver, and I was noticeably closer after the second pass. This came at a cost, with a few weepers on the trouble spots (steel wire bristles) on my neck, indicating a touch too much pressure. All gone by the third pass, and I was grinning and congratulating myself on a BBS shave. However, when I applied the Emulsion post-shave, I detected a couple of spots where I could feel very slight growth, so I must call it as a DFS+.
The Aqua Di Sydney was a delightful finishing touch. The aftershaves from Australian Private Reserve (APR) have very complex scents and the strength of a light cologne - they last for 4 hours on my skin.
I was at the Test Match yesterday, and another engrossing day's play today. Two excellent knocks from Bairstow and Malan. The match is finely balanced; let's hope the (unseasonable) rain holds off on Sun/Mon.