Razor: Tatara Masamune
Blade: Gillette 7 O’Clock SharpEdge (Yellow)
Brush: Sloyd 24mm Timberwolf Synthetic
Soap: Bartigan & Stark Timberyard
Other: Thirsty Badger lather bowl
Another year, another beauty shave. Today I’m running with a somewhat unknown Canadian Artisan, Bartigan & Stark. This Calgary, Alberta company is fairly new in the wet shaving space but are bit more known for their beard care/hair products. Timberyard was their first shaving soap release using the beard oil scent that started it all for them.
Timberyard scent offers notes of cedar, lemongrass, sandalwood, patchouli, grapefruit, rosemary, clary sage and pinch of cool peppermint. All scent notes are done via essential oils, no synthetic fragrances are in this. For me this pops with sharp citrus and lemongrass and has a woodsy backbone to it. The peppermint is very restrained which is a good thing. You can pick up just a hint of it but it is only there to round out the scent. It’s a really nice blend and while not really in my wheelhouse I could see this being a big hit for many. Scent strength is a robust mid-strong.
Label and artwork look stunning although I’m not a huge fan of the fragile style tin they have chosen. Luckily they have also made this available in tubs for those that don’t like the tin format. The black and white artwork fits with the vibe of the soap and presents a really professional look. The formula is tallow base and is a very soft soap. You could even call it a thick cream. In the few times I’ve used it I’d say it doesn’t lather like I would prefer. It loads easily and takes a lot of water but you won’t get a lot of volume to it. The lather remains stable but fairly low structure and somewhat flat. I kept pushing water into it expecting it to pop but it never happened. You do get a nice sheen and I’m happy to say this stuff performs. And when I say performs, I’d say elite level performance. I had to double check the razor to be sure I had a blade in it, it was that smooth. Cushion, excellent. Slickness, excellent. Residual slickness, excellent. I didn’t really have an aftershave to match but, no matter, post shave was excellent as well.
While this likely won’t stay in the den because the scent isn’t really my jam, I would give this a recommend for anyone that likes the sound of that scent. Lather will be a bit different than you are used it but you won’t be disappointed with the shave.
All for now – J
