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Tabac Tuesday is like coming home. You know where everything is without looking and the smell makes you breathe a sigh of relief 😌
Tuesday, September 10, 2024: Zingari Zischtig
Another shave with the Koraat - this big cleaver is more difficult to handle than my other straights.
The Watchman++
Have a good night!
September 10, 2024
Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
Razor: Filarmonica 13 Novodur 13/16" Para Profesionales Full Hollow
Lather: Noble Otter - Firefighter - Soap
Toner: Thayers - Lavender - Toner
Aftershave: Spearhead Shaving Company - Seaforth! Roman Spice - Aftershave
2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.
I've been missing this fragrance. Really enjoyed it today. I think it combines well with Roman Spice, but most things do :)
Firefighter++
Now that you mention it, I've been missing the scent too. Maybe I'll use it tomorrow...
Sep 10, 2024
10.09.2024 - Masala Connection pt. 2
-> 2-pass face & 1-pass head shave. Not great, but just right for a Tuesday.
Second use of Masala Connection. Today it was a bit tricky to lather - I chalk it up to inexperience, since I haven't shaved anywhere around my face for ~ 9 months and I am so used to lathering directly on my head. Combine this with an even more reduced 'canvas' due to a goatee and it's getting awkward. However, it smells good. It performs good and might even really take off once I'm back in the swing of things. Post Shave skin feel (don't you just love those weird words that come with niche hobbies?!) is rather good too, not on the level of ZM, WK or BM Omnibus but really solid. Also, since our weather abruptly went to fall temperatures it fits a little better than before
Also yes, aftershave scalp cream also works perfectly well on the face.
September 10, 2024
A very close shave. I'm starting to think Tusk isn't for me, though. If I leave it sorta thick and creamy and beautiful, I don't get much residual slickness. If I give it a lot of water, the residual slickness is better, but my skin doesn't feel very protected. If there's a middle ground, I'm having trouble nailing it down, so obviously there's that factor -- user error.
It works, for sure, and it smells great, but I've come to the conclusion that I'm not in the target demographic. Maybe Tusk is for people who prioritize post-shave feel and skin goodies, while my skin has different requirements. I'll continue to use it, of course. Maybe one day it'll click.
Like you, I feel like I can make almost any soap work. I think Tusk is fine, but not top tier for me. I assume Vida uses Ben's formula when she makes it. Her Darkwing base, OTOH, is top tier for me. Ben's fragrances with Vida's Darkwing base would be a great match for me. He should just offer that option.
It's definitely his recipe, Vida just does the work. Tusk has a lot of fans, at least on r/wetshaving, so from a business point of view he probably doesn't have much need for change.
I know he was working on a vegan version of Tusk for a while, but it hasn't come to fruition yet.
Have you tried Armonía?
No I haven't, but that's first on my list. I have only heard good things about this.
It certainly fits the bill with an amazing scent from Ben and the Darkwing base from Vida.