Looking Ahead: 2011

Here's a small sampling of the ideas I have floating around my head for the Dashing Maverick:

The Portman Square Challenge:

-the idea: dedicate the month of January to the exclusive use of Bullgoose Shaving Supplies in-house brand of shaving soap, Portman Square.

-the result: an in-depth, thorough review of this new, hot product with the intention to educate the unknowing masses from a non-biased point of view.

The Great Chinese brush throw-down:

-the idea: to pit the Chinese brush manufactures against one another and determine once and for all if cheap can equal quality. Brands such as Frank Shaving, Lijun & 1980, and ebay seller kebi2009 will each be put to a month of vigorous use.

-the result: an in-depth, thorough, non-biased review to help my readers get the most bang for their buck.

Blades Revisited:
-the idea: to get back to 'my roots' and retest some blades I originally started with over 3 years ago but now often get overlooked. Brands such as Derby, Gillette Super Thins, and 7am platinum are on this list.

-the result: to determine whether it was my newbie technique or the brand which caused these blades to call the bottom of my blade box 'home'. 

What are your thoughts on these chosen topics? Is there anything you would like to see reviewed or compared? I welcome all comments and ideas and hope to make 2011 a very informative year.

SOTD: 122410

EJ 86 l Feather (4) l Frank Shaving l Crabtree & Evelyn Sienna

Frank Shaving Finest

An initial impression of the Chinese-made Frank Shaving finest badger brush

Frank Shaving Finest - 'Berwick' model

Straight from China and fresh out-of the box is my first brush from Frank Shaving (ebay seller: iantang19821024). I was surprised when I received a call from the concierge that I had a packing waiting for me. To be honest I wasn't expecting this to arrive til sometime after the holiday. Like all new shaving goodies I was excited to take it on a test run. 

My excitement quickly started to subside upon a closer look at the brush. You can see in the photo that the 'FS' logo is of poor quality and already starting to wear away. I suppose for slightly under $21 USD ($13.99 + 6.99 shipping) I should take this into account and lower my expectations slightly. Hopefully it performs as well as others have raved about. I broke out my puck of C&E Sienna and put the bristles to work.

there's gotta be over 20 hairs there!

My Initial impression: a cheap shedder. After a moderate lathering I was plucking hairs out one by one. Again, I tried my best to accommodate my expectations based on price and the words of others and gave it a second lathering. And again I'm removing hairs from my lather with every-other swirl of the brush. For this, I'll let the picture speak for itself. Another letdown - after 2 uses the logo has already rubbed away (though I now prefer the sans-logo look).

left- Frank Shaving finest l right- C&E best

Here is where I will offer some praise, when compared to my C&E best badger (post-use), the bloom is just as full and gorgeous.

For now though - with no 'official' use, and after only two test lathers - I won't totally dismiss this brush but I'm not showering it with praise either, time and use will decide that.