Brush: Zenith r/Wetshaving exclusive MOAR BOAR (31 mm × 57 mm bleached boar)
Razor: Weck Sextoblade Med Prep
Blade: Kismet Rostfrei, Polymer beschichtet
Lather: Chiseled Face – Gemütlichkeit
Post Shave: Chiseled Face – Gemütlichkeit
Relaxed Saturday afternoon with Gemütlichkeit. I’m enjoying the difference between the soap and the splash. The soap has a dark, hearty oat meal cookie soul with a coffee and chocolate in the background, and the splash comes in with sweet caramel and coffee. Like a Toffifee with coffee. I’m still not wild about the menthol in the splash (just why?), but it’s low enough to still enjoy the warm scents. At least today. Maybe I’ll complain more about the menthol again next time 😅
Menthol in warm scents is huge nonsense to me too. Since those are bound to be used in cold to even icy cold weather conditions, why tf would we need a cooling agent there?! It’s all understandable with summer scents, but not with warm & cozy gourmands. On that note, Gemütlichkeit doesn’t sound very gemütlich at all 🤔
Maybe it’s a bit different for me as a head shaver, but I kinda like it on really hot days and when it’s done well - a good example would be SBS Rope Swing for WS-23 and Moon Soaps Union or AYLM Blu Tobacco for menthol. It fits with those scents and the cooling agent is more subtle, less overdone. However, I really dislike the menthol in my CFG Midnight Stag splash. I don’t want to be “refreshed” with this scent; nor do I see the point in warm/dark scents. But I definitely don’t like those “ultra-cool” things like Cryogen or Stirling’s Glacial editions anymore: what’s the point in menthol so cold it makes your eyes water? I want to enjoy the things I use, it’s not a “who’s the toughest shaver” contest.
I agree with your suspicion and I believe that what also contributes to the overuse of menthol/WS-23 is that people expect and sometimes flat out demand a “refreshing feeling” from their aftershave. Most old school lotions or balms contained menthol, so artisans feel like they’re forced to include it. Sad for those of us who like warm scents in winter where it really degrades the whole experience.
Gemütlich Sat 25 Jan 2025
Relaxed Saturday afternoon with Gemütlichkeit. I’m enjoying the difference between the soap and the splash. The soap has a dark, hearty oat meal cookie soul with a coffee and chocolate in the background, and the splash comes in with sweet caramel and coffee. Like a Toffifee with coffee. I’m still not wild about the menthol in the splash (just why?), but it’s low enough to still enjoy the warm scents. At least today. Maybe I’ll complain more about the menthol again next time 😅
Menthol in warm scents is huge nonsense to me too. Since those are bound to be used in cold to even icy cold weather conditions, why tf would we need a cooling agent there?! It’s all understandable with summer scents, but not with warm & cozy gourmands. On that note, Gemütlichkeit doesn’t sound very gemütlich at all 🤔
Yeah, I’m in the same boat. Even in summer scents, it’s more a gimmick than something I seek out and enjoy
Maybe it’s a bit different for me as a head shaver, but I kinda like it on really hot days and when it’s done well - a good example would be SBS Rope Swing for WS-23 and Moon Soaps Union or AYLM Blu Tobacco for menthol. It fits with those scents and the cooling agent is more subtle, less overdone. However, I really dislike the menthol in my CFG Midnight Stag splash. I don’t want to be “refreshed” with this scent; nor do I see the point in warm/dark scents. But I definitely don’t like those “ultra-cool” things like Cryogen or Stirling’s Glacial editions anymore: what’s the point in menthol so cold it makes your eyes water? I want to enjoy the things I use, it’s not a “who’s the toughest shaver” contest.
I think menthol/WS-23 is way overdone, and I have a suspicion that it is used to cater to those who regularly have irritation when they shave.
Yes, Mammoth Ben said as much in his abc shaves episode
I agree with your suspicion and I believe that what also contributes to the overuse of menthol/WS-23 is that people expect and sometimes flat out demand a “refreshing feeling” from their aftershave. Most old school lotions or balms contained menthol, so artisans feel like they’re forced to include it. Sad for those of us who like warm scents in winter where it really degrades the whole experience.