Another pseudo-Method shave today, the one change being a switch to the much favored Simpson #10 vintage brush (c. 1960), that I bought as new-old-stock earlier this year. Truth be told, this is my all-time favorite brush. If you can ever get your hands on a high-quality vintage brush in new condition (they occasionally come up on eBay – still in their unopened box), go for it…you will be amazed at the quality difference vs. the same brush made today. My #10, although “only” a Best Badger, has a thick tuft of the softest hairs I have ever seen in a brush – equal if not better than the current Simpson Super Badger designation.

I stuck with the Old Vulfix Sandalwood cream as the “cutting paste” for my Maurius Fabre Le Cube olive oil soap – they seem to go very well together, each with its own “earthy” color and smell. This made for a wonderful superlather, or “cutting mix” in Charles Roberts’ terms.

A fresh Treet “Black Beauty” in the E.J. Chatsworth razor….a killer combination that has become my “gold standard” for outstanding shaves. The E.J. Chatsworth has terrific ergonomics because of its long, thick, “hourglass” handle – giving it superb balance, especially for someone with big Sasquatch hands.

Four RMWS passes: 2-N/S, 1-Diagonal down, 1-Diagonal up, and voila, an excellent 9.4 shave – I especially like the decreased irritation that comes from eliminating the against-the-grain pass…and with little/no sacrifice in end-product smoothness. Finish was with The Gentlemens Refinery Balm and Moisturizing Cream…..and I just realized I forgot a splash of cologne…pity.