gcgallant

This year I'm adding Novemboar to the mix and using a boar brush for my two shaves per day. Boar brushes always benefit from extra use. When December rolls around I too feel like a hobo when returning to one shave per day :)

November 5, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
• Razor: H.M. Christensen 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Second Luxury Shave

I'm ending my run of BaM soaps with the mystical sea creature. Such a special dark, brooding scent. This was the second test shave of this razor.. After correcting the frown at the edge, which I did by freehanding the shaping of the blade, I analyzed the wear pattern and realized that the spine needed some wear to lower the bevel angle enough to allow for more even bevel wear. I did this on a 4K, then moved to a LV coticule, followed by the butterscotch Ark on oil then with ONR. Huge difference in the shave result. The edge now has much better feel.

November 5, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
• Razor: Blackland Razors Blackbird Ti
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (7)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Sandalwood - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Sandalwood - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

This is a wonderful Sandalwood scent imo, and I really enjoyed using the Blackbird. I listened to u/raymoonie's podcast with Shane last night and was inspired.

November 4, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: H.M. Christensen 5/8 Hollow Ground Round Point
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Vespers - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Vespers - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Second luxury shave.

This is definitely the season for Vespers. Great scent. Also, this was a test of an edge that was created on a new Translucent Arkansas. The shave was comfortable and close, but the edge did not wow me. This razor had a frown in it and I had to grind that out. I'm not sure if the repair left a wide bevel angle or if the stone has more to give. I'll look into this tomorrow.

It's mine. I've had it for 3 years. Such an elegant razor. As you may have guessed, I'm using BBS November to go through my safety razor collection :)

November 4, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B44 28mm Boar
• Razor: Smart Helix Apollo (setting: 0.85 plate)
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (6)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Amazelnut - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Leviathan - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

To me, this scent is always that of a hazelnut coffee with some cream. Love it. The Apollo (made in Ukraine) is a terrific DE razor. It's stainless steel and has a long handle. I prefer a long handle, and really like the weight of this razor.

November 3, 2025

• Brush: Zenith r/Wetshaving 31mm x 57mm Moar Boar
• Razor: Blutt Rasur BR-1
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (5)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Coconut - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn - Aftershave
• Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Marilyn - Eau de Toilette

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Second Luxury Shave. I decided to spend the evening with Marilyn.

November 3, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B15 (506 U/L) 27.5mm Boar
• Razor: Rex Supply Co. Envoy
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (4)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Cheshire - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Cheshire - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

Very pleasant morning shave with Cheshire. I had my tea before my coffee today.

Can't be bad. I love my boar brushes :)

November 2, 2025

• Brush: Zenith B40 28mm Boar
• Razor: Carbon Shaving Co. Cx-316L
• Blade: Wilkinson Sword Black (4)
• Lather: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Soap
• Toner: Thayers - Cucumber - Toner
• Aftershave: Barrister and Mann - Seville - Aftershave

2 passes. Face lather. Excellent shave.

I forgot to post my second luxury shave for yesterday (I used BaM 42), but today's a new day and I can hopefully get on track. I've decided to join Novemboar, so I'll be using boar brushes for the rest of the month.

A PieFed note. the 'ä' in Mäurer did not come through correctly for me in your comment.

I agree with you about the Lotion. It broadens the overall Tabac scent from the soap. The EdT adds a lot of sophistication to it and also stands alone well.

Glad to see that I'm not alone this year. There are many positives to BBS November. You get more intensive access to your soap and hardware inventory, there's time optimization to consider, and there's ample opportunity to work on technique.