For sure curiosity plays a role. So much variation in brushes; good soap lathers aren't vastly different to one another, but good brushes can be. FWIW, I've narrowed it considerably after messing with different setups the past couple of weeks. Keepers: Synbad EJ Synthetic Semogue Mistura SOC Omega 4...

Synbad in WD handle
Homemade fern soap
Rockwell 6S R4
Gillette Platinum blade
Homemade Douglas fir splash

Job interview, so I stuck with known quantities. The interview is over, and now it's a waiting game.

Genco 5/8 spike point

Synbad
Homemade soap
Genco 5/8 spike
Homemade splash
Vettiveru EDC

Superb stuff. Cocky long strokes on the first pass yielded two weepers, but then I settled in to a rhythm and had a wonderful shave. DE tomorrow for a job interview, then back to straights all summer long.

Shave #2 in the books. 25 rounds on linen, 50 on leather before the shave today. Two weepers, both in the first WTG pass, which I think was because I got a little cocky and took some longer strokes. I settled down and wound up with a closer shave than yesterday. My toughest neck patch is actually mu...

Gary, I do know "shave ready" is in the eye of the beholder, but the edge here sort of trails off and isn't finished at the heel on one side nor the toe on the other. It seems like maybe an X stroke that trailed off for 100 laps or so. Anyway, no big deal. The blades are in great shape, as are the s...

Back to the straight this morning. i used the Genco 5/8 full hollow spike point for reasons I'll detail in a moment. The plan was this weekend, but I couldn't wait after receiving my razors yesterday. Very good shave. Slight irritation in a couple of spots and one weeper. No real blood and a pretty ...

Semogue Mistura Taj Homemade soap Genco 5/8 spike point Homemade splash Back to the straight. The plan was this weekend, but I couldn't wait after receiving my razors yesterday. Very good shave. Slight irritation in a couple of spots and one weeper. No real blood and a pretty close cut. I am very pl...

Simpson 58 Best
Homemade soap
Rockwell 6S R4
Tiz blade
Homemade splash

Objectively, this is a phenomenal brush. Perfectly formed fan, good density and backbone without sacrificing flowthrough, tip presence but no scritchiness, iconic brand. I just don't care for badger brushes anymore, I think.

From about 2014 to 2019, I had few dalliances: Edwin Jagger synthetic, homemade soaps and splashes, and the Jagger Barley Chrome DE. Earlier this year a brief encounter with a Semogue brush led to a touch of AD, but I've found it wholly unsatisfying. The dalliance was grand and will likely yield a n...

Maggard SHD 2-band in WD handle
Homemade vetiver fern soap
Rockwell 6S Plate R4
Tiz blade
Homemade Douglas Fir splash
Old Spice

Meh on the brush. Kind of done with badger.
The blade's smoothness continues to impress.

Synbad
Homemade soap
Rockwell 6S R4
Tiz blade
Homemade splash

Great blades. The Tiz is incredibly smooth and sharp; smoother than a US Personna Med Prep and possibly as sharp. Looking at longevity as the week goes on, but they are impressive.

I have written my share of checks to contractors, but that's not an option at present, and the more I do, the more confidence I gain. I built a platform to which I could anchor a shed when we first moved in. Didn't need to look pretty, just be functional, and it is. That went well enough that I thou...

Synbad
Homemade vetiver soap
Rockwell 6S R4
Tiz blade*
Homemade fir splash

*thanks, Murray!

That's a fantastic brush and a fantastic razor, Oscar. The pic is really nicely done, too.

Thanks, Gary. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts.

That is a lovely picture and a lovely location, Chris. Quite an incredible coincidence, too!

I do hope there's no reason to think your wife will need this home soon.

Rufus, I concur regarding many of the handle colors that are popular right now. Some of the swirl patterns are lovely, but most are actually pretty garish-looking to me. Faux ivory, faux ebony, faux horn, jade, and wood look great to me. I agree that brushes are more than just a tool. I feel the sam...

Here we go again. Synbad Homemade soap Rockwell 6S R4 Gillette Platinum Homemade splash Homemade bay rum edt I have actually ordered a longer handle for the Synbad knot. I think I may wind up keeping this, a mixed knot, one Omega, and an inexpensive badger, and selling the rest of the brushes. Great...

Good luck! Be very careful around electricity. Enjoy the journey. Denver has always seemed like a very cool place to live. I leave most electrical work to others, but I can do little things - installing light fixtures and such. Denver is great. Unbelievable parks, 30 minutes to the foothills and mo...