January 2015 30 Day Rule/30 Day Focus Pic and Discussion Thread- All are Welcome

To me that pic looks like a dude laying on a pile of cash, except its a razor. Laying on a pile of blades.

 

Day 9 and still not much to update...same ol same ol lol

 

So what is your routine really like? Do you do it the same every day? Still working it out? Solve head shaving?

 

An average shave with a vintage DE is better than the best shave with a cart!

 

A dude laying on a pile of cash. Still working on that one. At the prices you can get Russian blades directly from the sources there right now not much cash is needed! I just ordered 120 more blades from a seller in the Urals. 20 each of Rapira PL, Sputnik, Rapira SS, Ladas, Voskhod and Gillette Rubie. $8 plus $7 shipping. At this rate I'll have to buy a separate cabinet just for blades.

 

Usually take a hot shower and steam up all the mirrors lol. After which I put a little water on the puck of soap while I dry off and rinse my brush in hot water, I haven't noticed a difference in letting it soak. I load the brush for a minimum of 45 seconds then just kind of go to town. I shave my face in less than 4 minutes and get really smooth results besides my throat area. I spend about 30 minutes shaving my head which usually turns out good with occasional cuts due to moles in various places. Shaving usually turns out best the less I think about it, it's when I start analyzing things that I mess up. I'm only 25 and have already had carpal tunnel surgery in both wrists so that effects me some what which is why I just try and shave by feel instead of thinking about it much, my hands are partially numb so it's hard to judge angles and pressure.

 

Just curious. I seem to get a BBS quite easily on my face but just not my neck? Always can feel something. Is this something I just should except? I mean it looks great but I know its there. Just cant get any closer without irritation. Is this the norm???

 

Although I am doing much better on my neck than when I first started I still can't get it quite as close without getting some redness. But it's getting close to BBS. TSD veterans advised to do a NS then SN on the neck and it's worked well. It also really took off when I started using longer, smoother strokes.

2¢ time:
Don't do XTG. Just the 2 passes NS-SN.
Don't do touch ups, at least at first.
Keep your posture straight and your chin up.
Don't lean in to get a better view.

I am almost ready to start trying other things to get it closer. But, I really think I might get there after the 30 day rule is over and I can experiment with different setups.

 

In my experience, neck is the most difficult. If as per your post, it looks fine and you are fine, then leave you neck be. As your technique improves, so will the feel of your neck. Do not sacrifice BBS for irritation.

 

Well, I had to bail out of the 30 day rule.

I was using a Cadet TTO-14, Voskhod, Arko, Semogue 1305. I had used the Cadet once before starting the 30 day rule using an Astra SP and didn't get good results. I figured I still needed to refine my technique. I started my 30 day rule on Dec 31 and used the Cadet a total of six times (including the one with Astra) and never got a comfortable shave with this combo. I was getting razor burn and it was getting worse and worse with each shave. In fact these were some of the worst shaves I've had using DE. I do have sensitive skin but I haven't been getting bad razor burn even learning to shave DE. I have only occasionally gotten minor razor burn and usually just in small areas like under my chin and around my Adam's apple, which have always been my problem areas.

I have been seeking the best shave I can get for a few years now. This started with improving my blades (cartridges), shaving soaps, creams, after shaves, and skin care. I have learned my beard growth patterns very well, I know my problem areas, and I know which areas can tolerate ATG vs XTG (all areas accepting WTG just fine). A few years of experimenting with my technique, products, pre and post care and still seeking to improve my shaves led me to DE shaving. I didn't have too much of a problem making the switch, although there are some differences.

After six shaves with this combo my neck was razor burned, full of bumps, irritated and my shaves were getting worse. On a couple of shaves I skipped a day to give my skin some time to heal, but I'd still end up nicking a lingering red bump. I have really enjoyed shaving, the ritual of the experience, but now it was becoming something to just endure. With my first DE razor, the Weishi 9306, came a pack of Dorco 300 and a pack of Super YingJiLi. Anyone tried YingJiLi? Or even heard of YingJiLi? Didn't think so. Even with these cheap Chinese blades I was not getting results this bad. I suspected it was the razor rather than anything else.

Cadets are known to be a fairly aggressive razors, and now I can attest to that fact. That's actually why I bought it. But perhaps aggressive razors don't suit me? I decided to do Friday's shave with the same combo but change the razor to my mildest, the Weishi 9306 with a fresh blade. I had skipped a day because my neck was so irritated it needed the extra time. With two days growth the Weishi/Voskhod was perfectly comfortable, but wasn't cutting as much on the first pass as I was expecting. I did one pass on half of my face before deciding to switch razors. I used the exact same Voskhod, but put it into my slightly more aggressive (but still mild) Merkur 34c for the other half of my face. It was comfortable and cut through my beard very well. I did my second pass and touch ups with the 34c/Voskhod combo with great results. Ahhhhhh... my face didn't feel raw after shaving.

Today's shave (Saturday) was again with Voskhod and Merkur 34c. And again it was comfortable and smooth, my face, and my neck especially, didn't burn for a few hours after shaving. My razor burn had gotten so bad it had lasted for days, but having my last Cadet shave on Wednesday has given it time to heal and it is almost unnoticeable now. I'll take Sunday off, and I'm sure that by Monday my skin will be back to looking clear and smooth.

So my take-away from this experience is that aggressive razors (or at least the Cadet) don't agree with me. The Voskhod blade however, has been working well in the 34c. In fact it is probably my number two blade behind Astra SP at this point. I'm going to use that blade for a couple of shaves next week, because I have always used two of the same blade in a row to make sure I didn't get a dud, and to gauge consistency of that blade. After that I will go back to trying different blades from my (large) sampler that I haven't gotten to yet. In the future I will try the Cadet again, but it may end up being just to remind myself that the Merkur 34c is excellent.

To everyone else still doing their own 30 day rule, I wish you great success and comfortable shaves!

 

SOTD January 11, 2015

This is the tenth day of my 30-day adventure to improve my shaving skills using the Mongoose. Preshave consisted of a face wash using Stirling Sheep soap. I used my Kent BK4 brush and face lathered using Mike's Natural Soap and a few drops of glycerin.

After one week, the Feather Pro blade continues to perform well on my two-pass plus touch-up shave - no nicks or irritation! Even so, I'm replacing the blade to start the week. I finished with Thayer's Lavender Witch Hazel and unrefined shea butter.

Have a blessed day, everyone!

 

I am sure that you will try again someday. Nibbs has some great advice for you on this subject.

http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/30-day-rule-experience.42330/

 

That was the ticket! Much better this morning. Gracias.

 

I was never able to match the BBS on my face with my neck. Until I bought the iKon Shavecraft 102. With that slant I was able to achieve BBS status on my entire face, irration free! The same holds true with my Razorock Stealth Slant.

 

SOTD
January 11, 2015

Prep: Hot shower. Axe Shield Face Wash
Razor: RazoRock Stealth Slant
Blade: Astra SP
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Lather: RazoRock P.160
Post: Alum.Thayers Lavender WH.
Aftershave: Fine Platinum
I really wish the RR P.160 liked me! I get slight redness on my neck from this soap, it goes a away within an hour.
Go out and get it!

 

Day 11
my 30-day rule
razor: Ever Ready 1924 SE
blade: Personna GEM teflon coated
brush: Omega 31064
soap: Williams

Another BBS, but still some razor burn. I think it may be the very GEM blade harshness that Gary mentioned! This was shave#2 on this blade and a bit less "burny" than yesterday. Maybe tomorrow will be the sweet spot! I intend to try the cork trick before I use my next new blade!

Also, I was zoning out in my shave and forgot to monitor for "lightest pressure" until the end. It's sort of weird, because I don't think I have this problem with DEs... though I admit to the occaisional heavy-handedness. <sigh>

Yeah, I know... even after all this time and repeated strings of pretty consistent, good shaves, I still manage to botch one now and then. Sheesh! Rather than own the "operator error," I cry interference from the shaving gremlins!

 

1/11/15 - BSG - RESET Day 6

Prep - Hot Shower, towel soak
Brush - Omega 48
Soap - Proraso Green
Razor - '46/'47 Aristocrat
Blade - Voskhod (3)
Post - AV Musk

Gotta love Sunday. Head shave first with the Merkur 23c, followed by the Aristocrat on it's 6th day. The Voskhod performed well though I felt enough drag to know this was it's last day. Guess it knew I was pitching it no matter what with the BSG. No irritation to speak of, everything smooth and routine. Chased the baby a bit but he escaped on the neck. Still improving there and decided I had better things to do than another touch up round. Very happy with how it's going though.

​

 

Day 11 - BSG

ATT S1 Kronos

Rapira PL

Plisson

Cade Soap and Balm

Two pass shave with touch ups. DFS. I tried to change from WTG/ATG to WTG/XTG. Did not like this as much. Way more touch ups and no real benefit. Lesson learned. On the plus side, my lather was great! Go Colts!

 

1/11/15 - Day off from face shaving - fighting a cold here so decided to just not shave the face. I did shave my head though, so didn't take a full day off. My head shave did not fit the 30 day but I will keep counting, starting again tomorrow. I don't believe the 30 day rule has to be followed by shaving every day, but for the 30 days that you do shave.

Prep: hot shower and cornhusker's lotion
Lather: Klar's Kabinett
Brush: Vie-Long 13061M
Razor: Gillette New LC
Blade: Perma-Sharp (1)
Post: cold rinse, styptic pencil (!) and Ogallala Bay Rum

Got a little zealous in my scalp shaving and caught a high spot and had a little blood for the first time in quite a while. LC did a great job on a week's worth of stubble.

Grad school classes start tomorrow night, so I expect to be a little scarcer around here while I get used to the new course load.

 

Taking care of the cold is more important than shaving every day. No doubt about that. I love the 30 day rule because it encourages repetition for learning but isn't some draconian system. It's all about learning and practicing. Good luck on the grad school! I'm just starting another quarter working on my Master's as well. Nothing like adding more no an already full plate but hey, better than sitting around bored.