The Den Cleanout Challenge

From the "let's finish this one" collection...

How was the Maximo Gomez? First Canadian is one of those artisans that I always wanted to try a while ago as I was getting into the hobby, but just never got around to picking any up

I haven't tried First Canadian since they sold the company.  But the original version has always given me really good suds.  And the scent on Maximo Gomez is probably my favorite tobacco scent.  It's the scent of a good cigar before lighting it up...kind of a wonderful spicy tobacco.

Two days in a row with the same setup.  I'm finding the Blackbird Lite makes a fantastic daily shaver if I only do 2 passes.  If I end up going against the grain, I really don't need to shave for at least 36 hours.  But doing only the WTG and XTG, I get a great shave and I'm still able to shave the next morning

Two days in a row with the same setup.  I'm finding the Blackbird Lite makes a fantastic daily shaver if I only do 2 passes.  If I end up going against the grain, I really don't need to shave for at least 36 hours.  But doing only the WTG and XTG, I get a great shave and I'm still able to shave the next morning

Thanks for this encouraging report on the Blackbird Lite. I just ordered one yesterday, and I was wondering how it would perform. Sounds efficient but still mild enough for daily shaves. And doesn't it look magnificent. Happy shaves! 

By any chance have you tried the Blackland Vector? I'm curious to learn how it compares to the Blackbird Lite.

Two days in a row with the same setup.  I'm finding the Blackbird Lite makes a fantastic daily shaver if I only do 2 passes.  If I end up going against the grain, I really don't need to shave for at least 36 hours.  But doing only the WTG and XTG, I get a great shave and I'm still able to shave the next morning

Thanks for this encouraging report on the Blackbird Lite. I just ordered one yesterday, and I was wondering how it would perform. Sounds efficient but still mild enough for daily shaves. And doesn't it look magnificent. Happy shaves! 

By any chance have you tried the Blackland Vector? I'm curious to learn how it compares to the Blackbird Lite.

The Lite is definitely not as mild as the Rockwell 6S.  There is certainly blade feel to it.  But it is very smooth and gives a great shave.  Unfortunately, I haven't tried the Vector yet...that one is still on my "need to try it" list.  But in the past i haven't fared well with the Artist Club blades so i am a little hesitant to buy one

I'm doing my best to use only the Lite for some consecutive shaves.  Hopefully I can do 30 shaves before switching it up.  I decided to do this since i rarely spend a "good" amount of time with a new razor, I always revert back to my love of variety.  But I really want to hone in on this one because it is a truly special razor for me.  It gives an unbelievably close shave while still being very smooth.

Well, the name of this thread may have to change to "The Den Addition Challenge"  

Over the past month, I've purchased eight new soaps and the Omega Boar you see soaking in the photo below.  As far as razors are concerned, I could be very happy with five to seven razors.  For brushes, I have 2 to 3 synthetics and 2 badgers that would work very well.  But I would really like to have a boar brush that i'm happy with...the one boar brush that I had prior to this Omega is too small (both handle and knot) for me. 

I've only had one lather with the Omega and the size of the handle and knot (28mm) is definitely to my liking.  The problem is the handle material...it feels really cheap and hollow. Guess the search continues

Well, the name of this thread may have to change to "The Den Addition Challenge"  

Over the past month, I've purchased eight new soaps and the Omega Boar you see soaking in the photo below.  As far as razors are concerned, I could be very happy with five to seven razors.  For brushes, I have 2 to 3 synthetics and 2 badgers that would work very well.  But I would really like to have a boar brush that i'm happy with...the one boar brush that I had prior to this Omega is too small (both handle and knot) for me. 

I've only had one lather with the Omega and the size of the handle and knot (28mm) is definitely to my liking.  The problem is the handle material...it feels really cheap and hollow. Guess the search continues

Try a Zenith boar brush and never look back. I've been on a boar kick lately so I've been using my two Zeniths and C&H handled Maggard boar a lot. You can't go wrong with either. If you prefer unbleached hair like your Omega there (I'm assuming that's the 10098?), Your Shaving has some unbleached Zeniths. I like both treated and untreated knots once the stink is gone of course lol.

Well, the name of this thread may have to change to "The Den Addition Challenge"  

Over the past month, I've purchased eight new soaps and the Omega Boar you see soaking in the photo below.  As far as razors are concerned, I could be very happy with five to seven razors.  For brushes, I have 2 to 3 synthetics and 2 badgers that would work very well.  But I would really like to have a boar brush that i'm happy with...the one boar brush that I had prior to this Omega is too small (both handle and knot) for me. 

I've only had one lather with the Omega and the size of the handle and knot (28mm) is definitely to my liking.  The problem is the handle material...it feels really cheap and hollow. Guess the search continues

Try a Zenith boar brush and never look back. I've been on a boar kick lately so I've been using my two Zeniths and C&H handled Maggard boar a lot. You can't go wrong with either. If you prefer unbleached hair like your Omega there (I'm assuming that's the 10098?), Your Shaving has some unbleached Zeniths. I like both treated and untreated knots once the stink is gone of course lol.

Thanks for the advice!  You're actually the 2nd person to suggest the Zenith so I may end up doing that.  Do the Zenith handles feel solid?  The Omega 10098 (you nailed that one!) handle just feels so "cheap" to me.  If i'm only going to have 1 boar, i want it to be solid and something I really enjoy using.  BTW, the Omega boar knot worked really, i'm just having a hard time getting over the feel of the handle.

Well, the name of this thread may have to change to "The Den Addition Challenge"  

Over the past month, I've purchased eight new soaps and the Omega Boar you see soaking in the photo below.  As far as razors are concerned, I could be very happy with five to seven razors.  For brushes, I have 2 to 3 synthetics and 2 badgers that would work very well.  But I would really like to have a boar brush that i'm happy with...the one boar brush that I had prior to this Omega is too small (both handle and knot) for me. 

I've only had one lather with the Omega and the size of the handle and knot (28mm) is definitely to my liking.  The problem is the handle material...it feels really cheap and hollow. Guess the search continues

Try a Zenith boar brush and never look back. I've been on a boar kick lately so I've been using my two Zeniths and C&H handled Maggard boar a lot. You can't go wrong with either. If you prefer unbleached hair like your Omega there (I'm assuming that's the 10098?), Your Shaving has some unbleached Zeniths. I like both treated and untreated knots once the stink is gone of course lol.

Thanks for the advice!  You're actually the 2nd person to suggest the Zenith so I may end up doing that.  Do the Zenith handles feel solid?  The Omega 10098 (you nailed that one!) handle just feels so "cheap" to me.  If i'm only going to have 1 boar, i want it to be solid and something I really enjoy using.  BTW, the Omega boar knot worked really, i'm just having a hard time getting over the feel of the handle.

Yep! They make their handles out of solid wood or resin. They also have metal handles that I'm not sure are solid or not, but they don't feel cheap. The copper ones are especially cool. https://www.thegentleshave.com/ and https://yourshaving.com/gb/brand/38-zeni...ng-brushes are the best sources I've found for them.

I'd toss into the mix the Semogue brushes as well. The one that is the stand out for me is the Owners Club with the cherry wood handle. I had a Taj (butterscotch) Mistura (mixed badger/boar) that I liked the knot and feel of the handle (solid resin) but I didn't like the color.

I also had a Zentih in a metal handle and I found it felt too light, and the density of the bristles seemed lower than any other boar. But I got is used so maybe that was the issue.

Happy hunting!