July 10, 2023 - Musical Monday
- Brush: Yaqi ROCKS 28mm Synthetic
- Razor: CJB GR-100B Kamisori Shavette #KAMISORI
- Blade: Dorco BB-20 Barber Shavette
- Lather: Dr. Jons - Runaway
- Post Shave: Barrister and Mann - Electric Mayhem Splash
- Fragrance: Barrister and Mann - Electri Mayhem EdT
- Pencil: Brass Kaweco Sketchup 5.6 mm lead holder
- Lead: Koh-I-Noor Hardmuth 5.6mm 2B
- Ink: Pelikan Edelstein - Star Ruby
#FOF
Today’s Theme:
Runaway by Dr. Jons is a tribute to Joan Jett. The main fragrances are a play on songs performed by Joan Jett either solo, with the Blackhearts, or The Runaways. Cherry and clover are tied to “Cherry Bomb” by The Runaways and “Crimson and Clover” covered by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. I was wracking my brain for something to tie into the soap, looking for cherry, clover, carnation, leather, or musk and having a hard time. Then I looked over and saw my EdT of Barrister and Mann’s Electric Mayhem. How did this not just leap into my mind. I had thought about it for music or trickhole day when planning this month. Once I realized I wanted to use Runaway, it just slipped my mind. (Dr. Teeth and the) Electric Mayhem is not only a musical themed splash and spray, but one of the listed scents is rosewood fretboard. That matches the wood used on the Les Paul fretboard in the label art for Runaway. That convinced me to combine these three today.
Today’s Shave:
I got this kamisori shavette on a whim when it was on sale at Maggard Razors. Not being to sure about the whole shavette thing, I cheaped out and got the Dorco blades that were also on sale. Then I left them on my desk for a few months, and then put them in the tin that houses my blades and some razors. Honestly, open blade razors intimidate me. I feel pretty awkward using my left hand, but I did shave for over a month left handed earlier this year, and about once a week try to be ambidextrous in my shaving. It thought that would help me when I finally tried the shavette. Nope, awkward as f*** today. Pretty sure the shavette is a clone of the Feather Kamisori, and I tried a very shallow angle to start wtg on my cheeks. Very crunchy feedback, and the razor didn’t glide well. I have a very slick lather, but added a touch more water. I found an angle that seemed to work ok. Finished my cheeks, then started on the neck. Yikes, I had a hard time finding the angle on my neck, but made it through the pass ok. The xtg pass after, I messed up my neck. A big weeper/almost a nick on my Adam’s Apple, and not blood somehow on the right side, but really managed to give it a strong burn. The xtg pass on the cheeks was ok. Two passes was it for me tonight. I feel like I can get a decent shave with most safety razors, but the shavettes I have tried now were such a different process. Probably going to stick to safety razors.
Today’s Challenge:
I got out my journal/sketchbook and gave the Runaway label a try. Not the usual pictures I draw, but made for an interesting challenge. I never had a natural talent for drawing, but a few years ago I gave a camera obscura app a try. I figure if it was good for the old masters, I could see how it helped. It was crazy how fast I got used to it for finding my proportions and making things line up. Drawing withoutit, I have improved, but with it, I usually get good results. Unless there are lots of straight lines. I don’t use a straightedge or ruler, so straight lines get a bit wobbly. I picked up this brass Kaweco Sketchup a couple years ago. I really like the weight and feel of it. Even though it is a huge lead, you can still get a decent amount of detail in the drawings. My ultimate goal is to try to sketch out a drawing on canvas, then paint a picture from that.
Sponsor Spotlight:
Barrister and Mann is one of my favorite artisans. They had the first blind trickhole I bought - 42 soap/splash/EdT (plus a towel). They were awesome and threw in the matching soap. I’ve since blind bought Electric Mayhem and Marilyn. No regrets on the results with those. If you bought the Marilyn set before Valentines Day this year, you got a wonderful presentation when you opened the box. Everything was packed and wrapped with a Marilyn/Valentine theme, and some chocolates with cherry filling to top it off. I really like it when the packaging is so well thought out. Sure, I want everything padded and safe, but if you can do it with some flare you get a lot of points from me. When I mentioned that before, u/BostonPhotoTourist told me his mother did the packaging. Pretty cool that the family works together. I don’t think I would last a month working with my folks or my in-laws.
Today’s Fragrance:
These scents are working great together. Both have a fruity, floral, and a bit of musk and funk. The leather and musk of Runaway play well with the woody musk in Electric Mayhem. The florals and fruit notes are sweet together, but not cloying. I worried about pairing the Runaway soap with its upfront hit of cherry. Once lathered the cherry was out there, but really mellowed and allowed the leather and musk to come out. I think I could pick up the carnation, but those are the fragrances I picked up. If I didn’t know it was carnation, my nose would have just said flowers, but my mind is taking the hint and I can recall what a carnation smells like, and it is mildly present in the soap. Only at day 10 of this increased use of fragrances, but I feel like my nose is starting to develop a little. The Electric Mayhem for me is plum up front, then the wood and musk come later. I think this trio harmonizes pretty well.
Haiku 10:
Electroswing and some,
Joan Jett- Queen of Rock and Roll,
Ch ch cherry bomb!