Razor: Karve Overlander with 3″ Karve CB handle
Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock Super Platinum Blacks
Brush: Chisel & Hound 26mm G5C Synthetic
Soap: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Rustler’s Ridge
Aftershave: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Rustler’s Ridge
I recall back when I first got into the hobby how generous others were to share their favourite product lines. At the time, there weren’t a lot of products available locally and I hadn’t really been introduced to the large lineup of artisanal offerings. A couple of the gents I met hooked me up with some samples from Crown King and PAA. Those samples included Rustler’s Ridge. I was really taken with the scent, but sadly this was no longer in the lineup of offerings.
Fast forward to this past winter and I noticed Rustler’s Ridge made a small comeback in the PAA advent calendar as a small limited release. Unfortunately getting that in Canada wasn’t an option at the time, and I kept my eyes open for a set on the secondary market. Maybe PAA got a renewed interest from the calendar offering or maybe Doug and Fran just got excited about it again after making the limited run but a few weeks ago they announced it was making a return. I immediately reached out to Top of the Chain to make sure he was picking it up and pulled the trigger as soon as it hit his website (I’m sure it was within minutes).
I still have a bit of the generous sample I was given and had been babying. I was interested to see how the new release would hold up. Upon opening the tub I can say I was pleased with the result. It isn’t the same, there has obviously been a bit of reformulation but the soul of the sent is still intact. I’d say to my nose the new release is more vanilla-forward and has less powdery nuance to it. Perhaps that is age but I also think the formula was tweaked. Scent notes include Madagascar Vanilla Bean, Ozone, Prickly Pear, Sage, Animalic Musk, Spruce, and Cedar. It is sweet and aromatic with a touch of musk and a woodsy base. It does give me a western vibe but not your typical leather gunsmoke and whiskey vibe you may think of. Scent strength of the soap is very robust. It is a big win.
After a very smooth 3 pass shave with the overlander, I followed up with the matching splash. The scent on this tones down the vanilla a touch and brings me closer to the original sample I have. Another thing worth mentioning, my two biggest knocks on PAA splashes from when I was originally introduced was alum in the splashes and splash bottles with no restrictor. Both of those have been resolved in the latest releases. Long gone is the alum and now the bottles have a plastic restrictor included.
I’m very happy to finally have a set of this in my den. Now I just need PAA to release Miami Libre and Tack Room and I’ll be able to fill my sample want from all those years ago.
All for now – J
