Razor: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Stainless Steel Double Open Comb Ascension
Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock SharpEdge Yellows
Brush: That Darn Rob 26mm Brown Synthetic
Soap: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Doppelganger Green
Aftershave: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Doppelganger Green Splash / Star Jelly
Other: Paco Rabanne Pour Homme
Today felt like a good day for a #FougereFriday. I have several in my shave den but today I wanted to go with a bit more of a throwback vibe and so I reached for Doppelganger Green. This particular offering is an homage to Paco Rabanne Pour Homme which I just so happen to own. If you have never smelled Paco Rabanne Pour Homme, it is a throw back fougere that is bright, herbaceous, powdery and green. Notes of Rosemary, Clary Sage, Brazilian Rosewood, Lavender, Geranium, Tonka Bean, Oakmoss, Honey, Musk and Amber. This is in the wheelhouse of something like Brut (same wheelhouse but distinctly different). It is kind of dated now for wearing as a long lasting fragrance (the OG scent coming out in the mid 70s) but honestly, I don’t mind that at all. If Brut is still your thing, this one would be a win for you scent wise I’m sure.
The soap base of this is in PAA’s CK6 vegan formula. This is a really good vegan base but it is very thirsty. Prepare to add a lot of water. I think I still prefer the original Crown King formula if maybe for no other reason than that it performs just as good for me and is much cheaper. The CK6 soap is very slick, offers great cushion and a really excellent post shave. One thing that I haven’t cared for in the past is how CK6 always left a soap residue on everything and didn’t rinse clean. I still find that somewhat to be the case but much less so now that I figured just how much water you need to feed this lather.
I’m taking a PAA razor for a drive today (and have for a several shaves now). This DOC Ascension is described as an adjustable double open comb razor in stainless steel and is on loan to me from Kal Shaves. I really wanted to love this razor, I love the DOC design styling, it looks cool and gives a nice audible feedback. Unfortunately this razor just isn’t for me. Not that is is a bad razor, quite the contrary, It has nice fit and finish and is a very efficient shaver. What I do find is that it is too aggressive and has too much blade feel for me. I backed the adjustment off as far as I could and still found that to be the case. Also, in regards to the adjustment, I really don’t like the design of this. Essentially you are using the tension and spring of the blade to allow a bit of adjustment in the last bit of tightening. While that works, I don’t like that there is no way to consistently find the adjustment until it is screwed all the way down. You can get relatively close by remembering how far you back it off, but you are really going by feel and potentially adjust differently every shave. I wouldn’t say don’t buy this razor, many will love it. For me though, it just isn’t a keeper.
I finished off the shave with a trifecta in the scent. First I started with the potent aftershave splash, an excellent match to both the soap and the OG fragrance. This closed off the shave and honestly could carry the scent on it’s own. I then added the matching star jelly. I love this post shave format in that it applies light and has great post shave skin feel. There is a touch of menthol which gives a nice cooling feel but also throws off the scent a bit. I then finished with the OG fragrance which just builds on the PAA homage by adding a bit more scent complexity and extreme longevity.
A stellar shave to finish out the work week. All for now – J
