Tue 25 Nov 2025

• Brush: Chisel and Hound – Screwdjriver with v28 Fanchurian
• Razor: Heljestrand 14 (7/8", full hollow, carbon steel)
• Lather: Catie’s Bubbles – Cape Cod Cranberry
• Post Shave: Imaginary Authors – Telegrama
• Fragrance: Summer Break Soaps – Valedictorian

Image

The Heljestrand 14 it a bit of a fake 14 if you ask me. None of the elegant curves of the venerable Fili, Iberia, or J. A. Henckels 14 outline, but rather modern straight lines and a chonky tail. But Heljestrand’s Swedish steel doesn’t care about curves or my feelings about them, it just cuts stubble cleanly, smoothly, and closely. I like Heljestrand’s Swedish steel.

Today’s scentscape is less disjointed that it might appear: CCC has a sweet, very dry note that feels vaguely vanilla-y to me, but without being gourmand. I find it difficult to nail down, but to convince myself that it’s there, I combined CCC with two fragrances that have a dry, non-gourmand vanilla note, and I enjoy how it helps join these fragrances together.

The luxury cream soap base is great stuff, and shines quietly in the shadow of the mighty prem.