SMF

Scraping the bottom of a jar of TOBS Jerymn (sp?) and have a jar of their sandalwood in reserve. Just finishing the last 1/16 inch of an ARKO stick. Lots of old Valobra soap left in the wood jar.

I'm running out of that too. At least I need a good cheap shampoo and that has always worked for me. Sometimes I just use a bar of soap and a washcloth. Whatever.

If you would please post contacts for your excellent knots many members would be pleased I am sure, especially if you can make recommendations and prices

For off-the-shelf stuff, I like Old Spice Fresh Lime; Pinaud Vanilla and any bay rum and a favorite is Aqua Velva, one of the masterpieces of old.

My suggestion for that heavy growth was to use a BIC Sensitive disposable and rinse often, shaving with the grain. I'm glad you succeeded. Se like to know what you use and how you shave and you will find many threads about that here.

I have a cheap Tweezerman badger brush that works but is a bit skimpy on bristles. That could be a second step for you.

Oh, yes my Arco stick iis down o the last 1/8 ubcg, I'll use it till it falls our of the holder Might try putting it on top of the Valobra that I have in a wooden bowl.

I found a far with a thick residue of TOBS Jerome St. in the bottom, that I had thought was empty . It was pretty dry and gummy but responded to a 15 second smear of my Monster with a very rich lather. I am cleaning out the stack of empty jars that I kept, "just in case".

I have heard that the latest Brauns shave closer than the older ones. They cost more too.

My Colonel was made by Plisson, but the Duke 2 was an original Simpson that I bought used from a member of SMF. I got the Colonel from a British barber supplier that a member posted here. He said they were available at a super low price. If I recall, it was about $54 including shipping at that time....

Yes, and today's cartridges are very good too. I could use them exclusively but the members here keep me interested in the old traditions. I think that is one of the secrets of the charm of SMF, tradition and civility.

I haven't used an electric for a very long time. When I did, the heads were too thick to get a close shave no matter what prep you did. In fact, preshaves were sold that added a sticky oil to your face to lubricate it. As far as lather vs prep., I don't know how much prep you are advocating. I take ...

If you just want to try one, I'll make you a deal you can't refuse. I was thinking of listing them anyhow.

So please give us a report when you have made enough rotations Gary. Today I use my old ARKO shave stick and then built plenty of lather with the monster, right on my face.

I went back to the Monster synthetic. The only badger I liked was the Simpson Colonel. The badgers I have just couldn't load up as much lather for when I do a multi-pass shave. I still feel that the Monster is the best brush I have ever used (admittedly my budget doesn't let me try really big badger...

I have the third man too. If you like those and Homme you might go to basenotes and check out Habit Rouge too. I looked at the reviews there and I believe one reviewer liked it better than Homme.

You might try Gurelains Habit Rouge, but if you thought the previous scent was too much then this might also be. if you get to a Macy's counter or the equivalent you could give it a try. I like English Fern too, by the way. All the lighter scents I can think of are probably too sweet.

Inspired by Gary's switch from the Monster synthetic to a badger brush, I decided to start rotating brushes. So far I have used the Simpson Colonel that was a bargain a few years ago from a London barber supply. Today I tried a Semoque boar brush. I didn't like the boar but the Colonel was fine exce...

I am almost to the end of an ARKO shave stick. I believe I still have a jar of TOBS sandalwood too. Might try that next.

Thanks. I'll try it soon.