Shaving Product Review - Tallow + Steel "Boreal"

Value (Cost, Packaging and Performance)

Lather (Density, Glide and Feel)

Post-shave (Healing, Moisture and Feel)

Scent (Quality, Strength and Longevity)

The quintessential forest scent by Tallow + Steel Boreal #soap and #aftershave from their 2017 lineup today.

The vast expanse of the Canadian wilderness has an unmistakable fragrance to it—nothing compares to the richly wild scent of the forest after rainfall, when the air becomes thick with a mixture of competing smells.

Made from rare essential oils sourced deep from within the Boreal forest of Canada, the resinous woodsy scent of Canadian cedarwood and balsam fir, parallels those of sweet birch, spruce and monarda - a rare fragrant boreal plant.

Boreal captures the crunch of the branch underfoot, the sweet musk of the crisp autumn air: a blast of earthy freshness. This is a blend that puts you in the heart of an ancient forest, no matter where you are.

I've written two very extensive articles on the revised line, the first being Meet the All-new Tallow + Steel Products with the follow-up Tallow + Steel 2017 - First Impressions which covers the reformulations and performance (besides other aspects) so I won't repeat all of that here. There's also an in-depth review of Boreal here if you want more specifics. If you're looking to place it against others, check out the Shave Battle: Let the Fir Fly! article.

I think that Boreal by #tallowandsteel is a nature (specifically forest) lover's dream come true. Some have asked me if it was more like a "sawmill" or a "walk through the woods" meaning if it was just wood(s) or if there was more to it... It's definitely the latter. If you close your eyes and inhale deeply, you'll be well on your journey through a (boreal or taiga) forest (of Canada). What the hell is that, you ask? It's "a biome characterized by coniferous forests consisting mostly of pines, spruces, birch or larches." In other words, evergreens. In North America it's mostly spruces, and called a boreal forest in the southern area; taiga in the northern. If you look at the actual list, Boreal has notes of Canadian cedarwood, cedar leaf, birch, balsam fir, white spruce, black spruce and monarda. I think it's some of the finest "forest" scented software out there. Of course, the performance is also top tier.

For the hardware, I went with the "aggressive version" of my #TimelessRazor sporting the .95mm gapped and custom open comb/scalloped base plate and scalloped top cap with a titanium RazoRock Halo handle and a #PolSilver blade on shave two. I'm a little shocked that I haven't used it since December 1, 2017 - but I've been busy with two other new razors... The brush is an emerald beauty from #ThatDarnRob sporting a 24mm BOSS knot; both of which match today's software offering perfectly. I really like the handle shape on this one; very ergonomic. The #GTP scuttle, as you know, made an appearance as well... As it always does!

I wanted to see how the .95mm razor handled as compared to the new TRBR78 (bronze .78mm gapped open comb). The .95mm definitely has less blade feel and is smoother to shave with and overall more forgiving. Having gotten used to the bronze, it was a treat to switch back to the stainless. If you can handle the former (or a Mühle R41) you can handle anything. Today's shave felt mild by comparison. I still wouldn't do it every day - but you might.

Super nice shave today; very close and near BBS. The software performed brilliantly and of course, smells awesome.