08.07.2025

• Brush: AP Shave Co. black & clear handle w/ 30 mm Tuxedo Fan knot
• Razor: Ever-Ready 1912 SE
• Blade: Personna GEM PTFE
• Lather: Wickham Soap Co. 1912 - Magnum
• Post-Shave: alterra men sensitive ASB

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-> single pass, mostly WTG on both head and around the circle beard. Belated celebration shave of passing my practical exam. Not super smooth, but close and comfortable!

Haven’t used a GEM in a while and I still ask myself why. Sure, the MMOC is a bit rougher than my other razors, but this one? Mild, efficient, great audio feedback. My first ever contact with a GEM single edge razor was a Star 1912 that I won in a PIF and subsequently also PIFed to someone years later. I love the ease of the clamp mechanism holding the blade down, the grip of the handle, the weight… I know a lot of people complain how difficult it is to shave under the nose with GEMs, but for beards those things rock - really sharp lines are possible with enough patience and a steady hand. Since the last few days, I gradually trimmed back my long stubble and once again I arrived at the henriquatre/circle beard/full goatee. And it seems like this is actually the best look for my patchy growth, the extended version wasn’t looking very flattering at all 😅

Magnum is a great soap. Compared to modern bases, the lather is a bit more frothy/airy, but the scent is godlike. Truly one of my top tens just for scent alone… It’s masculine but still comfortable & a people pleaser. Kinda like an old cologne, so the name is very fitting. I’m still really proud of myself for passing 2/3 of all final exams and this was a nice reward.