Outstanding shave tonight with the new artisan on the scene — Salve & Oak Co.
Northwood is an incredible blend of tobacco and bay leaf that’s smooth, rich, and downright addictive. The glycerin base whipped up a super slick, glossy lather that made shaving with this Crabtree & Evelyn straight razor (made by Dovo) feel effortless.
Brush was the Timeless Adjustable with a 26mm SHD Pure Badger knot from Brett Hilton — quickly becoming a favorite in the den.
Knife of the day: the RoseCraft Loosahatchie Jack. RoseCraft keeps putting out amazing traditional patterns, and you can find them over at Hendrix Classics & Co. alongside some killer shave gear.
Finished it all off with Demeter Petrichor EDP for that fresh after-the-rain vibe.
Fantastic shave from start to finish.
Shave of the Day 5/7/2026
Tonight’s shave had serious outlaw energy.
HC&C Urban Cowboy brought the heat with its smooth, dark, and seductive homage to YSL La Nuit de L’Homme. Warm spice, woods, and that unmistakable magnetic vibe make this one incredibly easy to keep reaching for. The soap base delivered a rich, slick lather that made the shave effortless from start to finish, and the matching splash tied everything together perfectly.
The blade companion for the evening was the RoseCraft Zambezi — hands down one of my favorite knife patterns. It has that perfect blend of rugged utility and clean lines that just feels right in hand. RoseCraft continues to impress with their traditional lineup.
Finished things off with the Timeless Adjustable Brush, which whipped up a mountain of lather without breaking a sweat.
Just one of those shaves where every piece of gear clicked together perfectly. Western grit, smooth sophistication, and a little pocket knife appreciation all rolled into one. 🤠🔥
Here is the leather from one of our new display boxes that will be released this weekend.
A very important part of producing leather that will have contact with steel is going to a lot of trouble to ensure that the leather won't assist steel in rusting.
Shave of the Day – Steel, Frost, and Family
There’s something about good steel that just hits different—and today delivered on all fronts.
Front and center is the RoseCraft Blades Clinch River Swayback Stag, a modern take on a classic pattern that absolutely earns its reputation. If you know RoseCraft, you already know the level of craftsmanship—and having crossed paths with Andy Armstrong makes carrying one feel even more meaningful.
This one took home Blade Show 2023 Imported Knife of the Year, and it shows:
* 3.125” D2 Wharncliffe blade
* Brushed satin finish
* Traditional swayback profile with a functional finger choil integrated into the blade and bolster
It’s clean, purposeful, and just feels right in hand. Rosecraft blades can be found at Hendrix Classic and Co
⸻
Now… onto the shave.
This is my Blizzard Battle Artisan Challenge 2026 entry—and per Barry over at A Texan Shaves, the name and label are staying under wraps. Gotta keep the surprise alive.
But here’s the scent profile:
Top: Cold Stainless Steel
Middle: Winter Wool Clothing
Base: Bad Decisions
Yeah… it’s as wild as it sounds 😏
This one came out cold—and stayed cold way longer than expected. Big win there. The lather built up nicely, gave me great slickness, and made for a super confident straight razor shave from start to finish.
And now comes the fun part… that menthol bloom that keeps building. That lingering chill is where it really shines.
⸻
Finished things off with the upcoming Adopted Acres Soap Co. x Shave Dad collaboration splash:
Family First – dropping May 9
This is a one-and-done release—around 50 sets total—and when they’re gone, they’re gone.
It also debuts our new EIEIO Base:
* Wagyu Tallow
* Duck Fat
* Lard
* Castor Oil
Built for performance, rooted in the farm, and made with intention.
⸻
The always reliable Hardly Steel razor handled the shave like a champ—smooth, efficient, and right at home in a setup like this.
⸻
Steel. Cold. Craft. Family.
🔥 Don’t miss Family First — May 9.
