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ARTISAN APRIL

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Razor-Sharp

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Brothers of Shavechat, I've been out of commission for awhile and am just getting back to all things normal. I was thrilled to see that Frugal February was received well. we are back to the monthly activity and this time - It's Artisan April. No participation list required but feel free to hop on board from April 1st or anytime after.

Guidelines
1. in your SOTD feature an item by your favorite Artisan, It could be a Soap Making, Razor Manufacturing or Brush Making Artisan. So if Heather Melton is your fav soap artisan, feature a soap by her as in your fav ZIngari Man soap. If Brian Twilley is your fav Razor artisan then feature a Charcoal Goods Razor etc. The sky is the limit here.

2. You can pick Brush maker one day, Razor Artisan another day and Shaving soap artisan a third. Mix them up as you like but your SOTD has to feature a product by that Artisan and a mention in brackets or text of your pick for the day. You can repeat the item and the Artisan's products on different days but just tg he chosen item in that SOTD with your Fav Artisan's name

3. My only suggestion is keep the corporations or the mass production companies out like Gillette, Muhle Merkur etc. Remember that this is just a salute to all our Artisans. To name a few - Shane of Blackland, Kaleb of Aylsworth, Steve of Alpha, Gardner of AKA Brushworkz, Will of Barrister & Mann, Shannon Logan of Elysian Soaps, Andrew of AP Shave Co. Get the drift brothers?

Come April 1st and its time to play. Looking forward to seeing all on board for this one.
 
Gentlemen, I'm kicking it off with my first pic for April, also as an example. I have two fav artisans in here but highlighting one.
 
1st April - Artisan April SOTD

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Razor - Triden Razors - The Varukh (Aluminum Helical Slant)
Brush and Artisan Pick - The Razors Edge by AKA Brushworkz
Lather - Chiseled Face Cryogen
Post Shave - Chiseled Face Cryogen AS Balm
Blade - Wizamet Super Irdium

Gardner of AKA Brushworkz does some stunning handles and his significant other Amelia was super kind to get The AC/DC Razors Edge handle done for me even though it was discontinued. Fitted with an AK7 synthetic knot, the Resin pour with the silver foil and red look is a fantastic homage to the AC/DC album which features one of my Favorite songs, 'Thunderstruck.' That opening riff by Angus Young is probably one of the greatest ever. The synthetic knot has decent splay and backbone and remains one of my all time favorite brushes. Grateful that Gardner is a rock fan too.


So gentleman, let's start showing our Artisans some love and feature an item from them that you love. If you can't do an SOTD, then just that razor, brush or soap would do.
 
Brothers of Shavechat, I've been out of commission for awhile and am just getting back to all things normal. I was thrilled to see that Frugal February was received well. we are back to the monthly activity and this time - It's Artisan April. No participation list required but feel free to hop on board from April 1st or anytime after.

Guidelines
1. in your SOTD feature an item by your favorite Artisan, It could be a Soap Making, Razor Manufacturing or Brush Making Artisan. So if Heather Melton is your fav soap artisan, feature a soap by her as in your fav ZIngari Man soap. If Brian Twilley is your fav Razor artisan then feature a Charcoal Goods Razor etc. The sky is the limit here.

2. You can pick Brush maker one day, Razor Artisan another day and Shaving soap artisan a third. Mix them up as you like but your SOTD has to feature a product by that Artisan and a mention in brackets or text of your pick for the day. You can repeat the item and the Artisan's products on different days but just tg he chosen item in that SOTD with your Fav Artisan's name

3. My only suggestion is keep the corporations or the mass production companies out like Gillette, Muhle Merkur etc. Remember that this is just a salute to all our Artisans. To name a few - Shane of Blackland, Kaleb of Aylsworth, Steve of Alpha, Gardner of AKA Brushworkz, Will of Barrister & Mann, Shannon Logan of Elysian Soaps, Andrew of AP Shave Co. Get the drift brothers?

Come April 1st and its time to play. Looking forward to seeing all on board for this one.
That Alpha guy - he is a grifter ;)
 
SOTD 04/01/2026
3e469fd31c789c69cf1f848203b41e26.jpg


Razor: Schick Injector Type O
Blade: Schick Yellow
Brush: WWB Jungle Ebonite
Soap: Stirling Vanilla Bean Espresso
AS: Cella

Two fantastic artisans in this shave; Stirling Soap Company and Wild West Brushworks

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
Love the Schick too. Beautiful.
 
2nd April - Artisan April SOTD


2 April.jpg

Razor and Artisan Pick - Stirling Soap Co. - Standard Aggressive
Brush - Razorock 400 Matte Black
Lather - Tabac Original Shaving Cream
Post Shave - Tabac Original AS Lotion
Blade - Kai Stainless DE

The Stirling Standard Aggressive is one of the top dogs in my den and Rod Lovan Of Stirling was the creative mind behind this design. The Standard razor for me delivers a BBS in one and a half pass, even on multiple days growth.
 
SOTD 04/02/26
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Razor: Pal Adjustable Injector / Schick Injector Type G
Blade : ?
Brush: Stirling "The Replicant"
Soap: Stirling Vanilla Bean Espresso
AS: The Blades Grim "Smoulder"

Took a couple of strokes with the Pal and the blade in it was terrible. So I Grabbed the Navy blue Schick to finish the shave. The blade in it was better, but still not great. Probably a Personna.

0ab8e3ceef0cd3e01bd8d429f5199dc4.jpg


Stirling until it's gone!

Sent from my SM-S928U using Tapatalk
 
Apr 01, 2026

Prep: Hot water
Razor: RR Game Changer .76 P
Blade: Wizamet Iridium Super
Brush: Brad Sears Archduke 26/50 2-Band Manchurian
Soap: Bundubeard: Reijger
Post: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Fragrance:



Apr 04, 2026

Prep: Hot water
Razor: Oliworks M3teorite - #3
Blade: Wizamet Iridium Super
Brush: Simpsons Berkeley 46 Best (‘The 46’)
Soap: Bundubeard: Woesteling
Post: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Fragrance: Tabac Vert by Rogue Perfumery

 
3rd April - Artisan April SOTD

IMG_20260403_234844.jpg

Razor and Artisan Pick - Stirling Soap Co. - Standard Aggressive
Brush and Artisan Pick - Lothur Grooming 'SHE' with a Alpha G5 knot
Lather - TOBS Jermyn Street Shaving Cream
Post Shave - Oaken Lab 'Far Afield' AS Splash
Blade - Gillette Platinum

Designed by Lothur Grooming founder Jonny and Alpha Shaving's Steve Tinter, this remains one of my top three shaving brushes. Inspired by Christian Dior's 'The New Look in 1947," the brush handle captures the hourglass silhouettes and feminine elegance which was associated with that classic collection. While we all know that Steve creates some amazing collab razors and his own Alpha originals, sometimes we forget his creative mind as an Artisan and his attention to detail in the Shaving Brush handles he creates. The 'SHE' brush handle is Black Anodized Aluminum and the knot is an Alpha G5 bulb/fan hybrid synthetic knot. It looks, feels and performs like a badger with the quick drying advantage of a synthetic.
 
Yes… I have a problem. I tend to gather brushes and never use them. Particularly from artisans that I like… some have never seen water. Some don’t even get a knot added. Here are 5 that I kept from Opus Brushes. Craig made these for me!!!


 
3rd April - Artisan April SOTD

View attachment 3638

Razor and Artisan Pick - Stirling Soap Co. - Standard Aggressive
Brush and Artisan Pick - Lothur Grooming 'SHE' with a Alpha G5 knot
Lather - TOBS Jermyn Street Shaving Cream
Post Shave - Oaken Lab 'Far Afield' AS Splash
Blade - Gillette Platinum

Designed by Lothur Grooming founder Jonny and Alpha Shaving's Steve Tinter, this remains one of my top three shaving brushes. Inspired by Christian Dior's 'The New Look in 1947," the brush handle captures the hourglass silhouettes and feminine elegance which was associated with that classic collection. While we all know that Steve creates some amazing collab razors and his own Alpha originals, sometimes we forget his creative mind as an Artisan and his attention to detail in the Shaving Brush handles he creates. The 'SHE' brush handle is Black Anodized Aluminum and the knot is an Alpha G5 bulb/fan hybrid synthetic knot. It looks, feels and performs like a badger with the quick drying advantage of a synthetic.
I love the She shape. I think TRC will bring that back some day. They now own the Lothur brand.
 
I love the She shape. I think TRC will bring that back some day. They now own the Lothur brand.
This is how it all started for those interested. Left is Jonny's original, final sketch when he was describing to me the changes required. Right is my final article. In between his initial ideas, final sketch and the finished article it took about 10-15 rounds of design.

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An couple of early ideas - 1775309831449.png1775309693665.png
 
a new soap delivery this morning, so these are my planned shaves for the coming week..
Shaves for the week..

Apr 06, 2026

Prep: Hot water
Razor: Dscosmetic DS 44C
Blade: Wizamet Iridium Super
Brush: Kent BLK4
Soap: Ariana & Evans: Pedro Fiasco Santorini
Post: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Fragrance: Citron Citron by Miller Harris




Apr 08, 2026

Prep: Hot water
Razor: Barbaros TR-1
Blade: Wizamet Iridium Super
Brush: Dscosmetic 22/50 Manchurian 2 Band
Soap: Heritage Hill: Washington
Post: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Fragrance: TBC




Apr 11, 2026

Prep: Hot water
Razor: Paradigm Copper Diamondback (2025)
Blade: Wizamet Iridium Super
Brush: Executive Shaving ‘G.O.S.H’ (Rooney Heritage)
Soap: Ariana & Evans: Sylvan Fog
Post: Cosrx Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
Fragrance: TBC

 
Easter Sunday Afternoon 05/04/2026
Artisan April Shave.



  • Razor : 1955 Gillette #58 Aristocrat nickel plated brass. (UK)
  • Blade : 7 O'clock black super platinum (1). (India)
  • Brush : Ever-Ready knot replaced by TroyCraft 24mm Plisson synthetic. (USA-Australia) -Artisan brush maker.
  • Soap : TRC Avenia soap sample ( Tallow). (USA) -Artisan soap.
  • Aftershave : Genuine Ogallala bay rum and sweet orange Splash .(USA) - Artisan aftershave and soap maker.
  • Weight : 68 grams. (Razor/Handle)
Cheers.

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