The Omega Bambino (also available with a white handle) is a terrific little shaving brush, good for home or travel. It easily held enough lather for three passes, and an excellent lather it was. On seeing the kokum butter (not a familiar ingredient) in both Petal Pusher Fancies shaving soap and in the How To Grow A Moustache soap, I wondered whether the two were related. Douglas of HTGAM emailed to say that they are independent: he did consult with PPF on soapmaking, and possibly that influenced his choice of kokum butter, but this is an authentic HTGAM.

The first time I used the soap I was bowled over by the puck size—which turns out to be a wonderful size in use—but this time I was more conscious of the excellent of the soap: fragrant, abundant, creamy, thick lather. First-rate stuff, IMO. Recommended.

The razor you may recognize as a Baili BT131—or may not. I had not heard of this brand, but I got a freebie with a shaving soap order and thought I’d give it a go. It seems to be aiming at the same market as the Sodial, and probably is priced similarly, though I’ve not been able to locate a place to purchase. It’s got a slightly heavier handle, but overall the two are similar. The Baili’s cap is thinner and flatter than the Sodial’s, but both shave equally well, I would say. I used the blade that came with it. (At one time there was a superstition that one should not use the blade that came with the razor because it was probably damaged in shipment. So, naturally enough, I started using the blades to test the assertion and so far have had no problems. Of course, the blade that comes with a razor may or may not be a good blade for the shaver, and perhaps that’s the source of the idea: guys trying the blade and finding that the brand doesn’t work for them.)

Three passes to a BBS result, and then a good splash of 4711.

Here are more views of the Baili BT131 razor. Front of package:

And the back of the package: