Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements (PAA) recently introduced their Cyclotrode shave brush that glows in the dark. I put one through its paces.
Cyclotrode
[Note: PAA links are affiliate.]
From the PAA website:
Once more we tip our hat to the classic, Ever-Ready Lucite brushes of years past with The Cyclotrode X. We also once again tip our hat to the iconic American film serial of the 1940’s, The Crimson Ghost! *Bonus points to you if you caught the reference! If you didn’t, no big deal but please check out the reruns on youtube for a real throwback treat!…
…We also felt it high time to deliver a Glow in the Dark shave brush to pair with our other Glow in the Dark releases; shave soaps, CUBE, El Fantasma Slant Razors, etc. The Cyclotrode X will really complete your next thematic SOTD I promise!…
An Homage to the N 500
If you have been following us for any length of time you know rebooting/reimagining classics is where we shine, um…glow. And this release is no different, but rather than go entirely Lucite looking we decided to have some fun using some Glow in the Dark effects too! I really thought it would be cool to backlight the logo. It’s a really cool visual result I think fans of the brand will appreciate! …
The 24mm Perihelion Hybrid Synth Knot
You’d be amazed at how fast synthetic fibers are evolving. With the market and demand for synthetic knots growing, the competition in quality & development will send your head spinning! This is also due to the fact that a lot of big shave giants, like Art of Shaving, are also making the switch to offering only synthetics…this is huge and forcing manufacturers to outdo each other every other month!
Featuring super soft tips and a killer fiber density, providing you with some great backbone and more wispy than scritchy lathers. I know the performance will really take you by surprise! This is NOT your grandpappy’s shave brush!
Approx. Specs:
- Complete Length: 4 5/8 inches (117 mm)
- Handle Width at widest point: 43 mm
- Handle Width at narrowest point: 31 mm
- Weight: 3.74oz (106 grams)
- Knot: 24 mm
- Loft Ht: 56 mm
- Handle Material: Acrylic
- BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free and lead-free
My Experience With The PAA Cyclotrode X Shave Brush
[Note: a Cyclotrode brush was sent to me unsolicited for possible review. However my opinions expressed here are my own and have not been reviewed or approved by PAA.]
The Handle
Yes, the top part of the handle glows in the dark. Hold a light near it for a minute or so to “charge up.” Then, when you turn off the lights, the handle will glow for a few minutes.
Glow-in-the-dark aspect aside, I do like the shape of the handle. The “revolver cylinder” shape of the handle lends itself to a secure grasp from the fingers. I do wish the handle was just a bit shorter for my fingers though, as I like to use them to gently hold the knot to retain more water. “Your mileage may vary” depending on the size of your hand of course. Bottom line though, this brush feels solid and secure in the hand.
The Fiber
I find the mixed fan/bulb shaped Perihelion fiber knot to be very soft to the touch, with no “scritch” at all. The backbone is not as firm as PAA’s Peregrino or Amber Aerolite brushes, which are definitely my favorites, but it is certainly sufficient. An animal fiber of this loft and softness would be very floppy but not so with the Cyclotrode.
Lathering
Lathering is pretty straight-forward with the Cyclotrode. Personally I find it retains less water than the Paregrino or Amber Aerolite brushes mentioned earlier: the brush’s “breech” tends to stay more open during lathering, causing water to spill out. That’s a reason why I like to try to grasp a shave brush by the base of the knot as I mentioned earlier.
However water retention is not a deal-breaker and can be easily compensated for.
Summing Up
The PAA Cyclotrode shave brush offers a luxurious and effective shaving experience for both novice and experienced wet shavers. Its design and high-quality materials make it a good option in the market. The unique cyclotrode shape provides a comfortable grip during use–and can glow in the dark! The soft yet firm bristles ensure a smooth and gentle application of lather, resulting in a close and satisfying shave.
