Razor: Karve CB on B CC
Blade: Voskhod
Brush: Tournure de bois Cashmere Synthetic
Soap: First Canadian Shave Sandalwood
Aftershave: First Canadian Shave Sandalwood
Other: Thirsty Badger lather bowl
A day late on this post but it was such a good shave I couldn’t skip posting it. Software for today was First Canadian Shave Sandalwood. In a recent order from First Canadian I received several samples (Randy is quite generous on that front). This particular scent really stood out to me. The tub says Sandalwood but really that is over simplifying. This isn’t your one note sandalwood scent. Nothing wrong with those, Like Grandpa and Fine Accoutrements both have scents in that realm that I own and really enjoy but they for sure aren’t this. While the scent is grounded in your typical sandalwood, this also offers notes of Ylang Ylang, Neroli, Cedar, Vetiver, and Amber. It reads as this creamy, woodsy sandalwood with a bit of citrus brightness, vetiver grassy-ness and subtly sweet. If you are looking at a different take on a Sandalwood, this would be a great pickup.
The soap itself is in Randy’s Tallow and Goat Milk formula. I love this base and I find myself reaching for it often. It is rich and creamy, easy to lather and very slick. Milk (goat, buffalo, etc) has become one of those ingredients I really look for when buying a new soap base (along with stearic acid or soy wax, a MUST for a shave soap). It may be just a coincidence but I always find those soap bases punched up a notch with that creamy luxury feel. This particular soap performs well in my average water but if you are lucky to have soft water you will be blown away by this base. I’d hold this base up against any of the elite bases out there right now.
I finished off with the matching aftershave splash. No alcohol, a touch of skin food and a nice prominent scent. My skin was left feeling nice and hydrated. The scent on this stands on its own but given the scent profile, it would pair up with a lot of soaps. A worthwhile “workhorse” scent.
No accident today I used my Karve and my Tournure de bois . Another couple Canadian artisans I love. Combined with my new Thirsty Badger bowl (yes, I had to keep a new one for myself from the latest drop), you are seeing a great All-Canadian shave.
All for now – J
