SMF

Thanks for the reply, Steve.

My own experience with synthetic brushes has been that they have their own unique performance characteristics, one of which is the immediate release of water held in the knot. I have used synthetic brushes successfully, keeping these characteristics in mind.

What you ...

Thanks for the information, Steve.
That's a thick knot! However, because of the different splay characteristics of synthetic fiber, I do tend to prefer a slightly thicker knot to my normal preference in natural fibers (22mm), such as badger and boar.

My general experience with synthetic has been ...

brothers wrote: Thu Sep 17, 2026 2:12 pm Aristocrat 48-50
20170427_202154_resized.jpg

Gary, I have one of these! Lovely razor, but a bit aggressive for me.

I also have a 46-47.

- Murray

Welcome to SMF, Carter!

The Feather Portable was indeed a nicely packaged, well made travel razor. It was a bit too aggressive for me, however.

- Murray

That's quite the resume!

- Murray

I never would have guessed that! But it makes sense.

- Murray

I've never heard of handheld pies, but I like the idea and the look of your depicted creations.

The crust looks like it might have a slightly different consistency from other pies, in order to maintain structural integrity. Is that so?

- Murray

What do you think of the comparison? https://drmossca.pplx.app/


That was a clever inquiry, Chris.

It looks pretty good to me; better than I would have expected.

I don't have any experience with Badger and Blade or with The Shave Den, so I can't make any comparisons.

I like that SMF got the ...

john25 wrote: Tue Jul 21, 2026 1:48 am The older Truefitt & Hill creams really did have a different character, both in scent and performance.

Welcome to SMF, john25!

- Murray

Between passes, I spray some water, with an atomizer, onto the skin to be shaved. Then I apply fresh lather.

This was suggested to me by Richard of Plano, Texas, soon after I started here. I forget what the problem was that prompted my request for advice, but I seem to get better glide when I do ...

Those do look good!

In these parts those would be recognized as flan, which the Mexicans probably got from the French, anyway. (One would hope Mexico got something of lasting value from the one-time French takeover of the country.)

- Murray

Interesting observations about the limitations of dermatology.

It sounds similar to the stereotypical GP's ignorance regarding diet, though I hope this one is changing as the importance of diet - and the public's misconceptions thereof - is becoming ever more apparent.

Thanks again for the medical ...

Chris, that's a different two-banded Vulfix than mine. In my case, it has a Grosvenor (sp?) handle (actually, one of the more comfortable handles to hold).

I got it some time ago, not long after Vulfix obtained Simpson. I understood it to be a Simpson knot in a Vulfix handle.

It's something of a ...

Thanks for sharing your brushless experience with the rest of us, Gary.

Using a brush to generate lather can be a pleasure, but it also requires quite a bit more time. It's good to have some time-saving options.

(Now, if they would just bring Oliveology back!)

- Murray

Thanks, Gary. Your assessment of a mild smell and natural scenting ingredients make it sound like a safe bet for those like me.

- Murray

Thanks for the review, Gary.

Does the cream appear to be naturally scented, or is it fragranced?

- Murray

flintlock wrote: Sat May 23, 2026 7:20 pm Wow, it’s been a long time since I’ve been on here. Still wet shaving. I see a couple familiar names on here.

Welcome back, flintlock!

- Murray

I drop in here regularly, myself, though I don't tend to initiate new threads.

I think we are largely settled into our own proven routines, so we are experimenting much less than we did before. I have long ago established (and hoarded) the best razors, brushes, blades, and shaving soaps for me. I ...

Wow! That's some magnification!

Great capture of a valued neighbor.

- Murray

Thanks for your latest findings, Gary!

- Murray