REVIEW - Phoenix & Beau Albion

WHAT IS IT, AND WHAT DOES IT DO?
Phoenix & Beau Albion Shaving Soap - It's soap that enables you to shave!

APPLICATION METHOD AND DESCRIPTION:
I've been testing Albion over the last 5 days to ensure I get to know it's foibles and idiosyncrasies.  For the first two days I bowl lathered, and the second two days, I face lathered.  Day 5 I chose my favourite method out of the two to lather...what is it I hear you ask?  Well, the video review below will show!

SCENT:
Albion was listed as having a predominantly bergamot, lavender and grapefruit profile, with patchouli in there to bind everything together.  My initial response to the long slow inhale was wow.  This is a very fresh and light scent, ideal for those who prefer a milder scented soap.  Upon shaving with Albion for the first time, I was greeted with a very familiar aroma.  A split second later I identified it as Earl Grey tea, which makes perfect sense given the presence of bergamot.  It is a classy, light, elegant scent, very nice indeed.

LATHERABILITY:
As is typical with Phoenix & Beau soaps, Albion lathers with criminal ease.  A short 30 second load provides more than enough lather for 5 passes EASILY.  I've learned that soaking my Cadman 26mm silvertip, then two gentle shakes provides the PERFECT amount of water to lather a P&B soap without the need for additional water.  Rich, creamy lather is produced with this level of water in a bowl.  For face lathering however, I suggest starting with less water as the sheer volume of lather created can overwhelm you if you're not prepared for it :D

PERFORMANCE:
There is a stylised image of Her Majesty on the lid of Albion, and the performance matches the expectation of a soap more than worthy of a Royal Warrant.  Those in Buckingham Palace need to try this soap, it would EASILY earn this accolade.  Slick as you like, more protective than a 20 man protective detail, there is no flaw in the performance at all.

POST SHAVE:
I'll say it again, a soap that provides a fantastic post shave is paramount for me.  Albion does not disappoint.  I'm sitting here stroking my face, trying to find a chink in the armour, but am coming up empty handed.  I cannot fault the post shave feel at all.  Smooth, no dryness, no tightness, nada.

CONCLUSIVE COMMENTS:
So, what do I think of Albion?  Well, it is plain as the nose on my face that it is a brilliant addition to not only my shave den, but the product line from Phoenix & Beau.  It has a delectable scent, performance that other soaps can only hope for, and a post shave feel that leaves you feeling GREAT!  After the initial shave, I thought I'd want a stronger scent, however, like a fine Earl Grey tea, the subtlety of the aromas is key, for it is meant to be gentle.  Give Albion a try, it is truly fantastic.

A Mitchell's Wool Fat SOTD

Evening gents!

Today I videoed my shave to highlight the wonderful MWF, and how to get a cracking lather from it.  Is it rocket science or is it best to revert to basics for it?  Find out below!

As always, thanks for reading and for watching my recent installments.  Please like and subscribe if you find the content helpful or entertaining.  Comments and criticism always welcome, every day is a school day!

Thanks!
Nick

Merkur 39C Double Edged Slant Bar Razor (aka The Sledgehammer)

Welcome fellow shavers!

This post is dedicated to my first and favourite double edged razor, the Merkur 39C Slant.

I spent an inordinate amount of time researching this purchase, looking for what was meant to be the best razor to suit my sensitive skin and tough beard growth.  Everywhere I looked I saw slants purported to suit, so, a good look around at the modern options (I wasn't ready to buy vintage just yet) available led me here.

As you can see from the photograph, there is a subtle 'twist' to the head, meaning the blade runs at a slight angle from perpendicular to the handle, ensuring a guillotine type slicing action.  When you consider why this is, you begin to understand how it is more efficient at cutting whiskers.

 

 This is a two piece razor, and you release the head by twisting the ball end at the bottom, a simple and effective design, ensuring blade loading is simple and generally hazard free.

The razor is a closed comb design, with a heavily notched safety bar as seen below.

The subtle twist and closed comb design makes for a very comfortable shave, when combined with a nice sharp blade.  I personally favour Astra Superior Stainless (blue pack) and Gillette 7 o'clock Yellow blades in this razor.  They are sharp to the point where they cut very efficiently, yet retain a smoothness that renders irritation to the past.  I can shave in all directions with complete comfort (with, across and against the grain) when paired with a quality soap or cream, something I could never do with a cartridge razor.  Shave in short strokes for best results and you will be rewarded with quite probably the closest shave you will ever have.  Total BBS (baby bottom smooth) shaves were once a pipe dream, now they are an every day occurrence.  My skin, not to mention my wife, thank me for it.

The Merkur 39C is a well built razor, solid in it's construction, the plating is of high quality, and the overall impression from day one was that this was a very good purchase.  I have not been let down in any way.  

Merkur do state that the release mechanism requires a little maintenance, in as much as they suggest a little oil to prevent sticking.  This is no hardship at all, something that given you care for your face enough to consider proper shaving, will prove no issue at all.  It takes all of one minute maximum, and I do this once a fortnight.  I put a few drops of oil down the razor handle (through the hole in the middle, in the last picture shown), and sit the razor upright to allow it to flow down the handle.  Whilst doing this, I turn the release ball mechanism to work the oil in.  I then sit the razor inverted (head down) on a folded piece of tissue paper to absorb excess oil.  It's then ready to use next time.

So there we have it.  If you are looking for your first razor (or indeed an addition to your ever increasing collection), and you have sensitive skin and heavy growth, then you really should consider the Merkur 39C.  It is worthy of a place in anybodies shave den.

Thanks for reading!
Nick