July 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Discussion in 'Shave School' started by NCoxSTL, Jun 30, 2016.

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How do you plan to beat the heat with your shaves this summer?

Poll closed Jul 30, 2016.
  1. Menthol. Menthol and more menthol!

    7 vote(s)
    23.3%
  2. Cold water shaves.

    13 vote(s)
    43.3%
  3. The DryGulch method....menthol.......just lower.

    5 vote(s)
    16.7%
  4. Eating ice cream and cookies before every shave.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  5. Who needs cookies.....I'll just take the ice cream.

    5 vote(s)
    16.7%
  6. Cookies and cream flavor ice cream. With cookies.

    1 vote(s)
    3.3%
  7. Oh come on....pass the cookies and let's just get going.

    4 vote(s)
    13.3%
  8. Hey y'all, watch this...Popsicle Shavettes!

    1 vote(s)
    3.3%
Multiple votes are allowed.
  1. Bama Samurai

    Bama Samurai with Laser-like Focus

    I don't have a fave anymore. They're almost all the same in a shavette.
     
    Drygulch, wmbjr, Norcalnewb and 3 others like this.
  2. NCoxSTL

    NCoxSTL AAACK!

    In the Good Old Shavertime!

    July 28

    Grand Blade Trial


    Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (2)
    Blade - rapira-swedish-supersteel.jpg (1)
    Soap - Arko
    Brush - BoS Omega 10066
    Post - Alum, Nivea, The Veg

    Late post today. One of those days that seemed like it would never end even when I got home. Late. For being my Tuesday it was more like a Monday from hell. Hopefully that's out of my system for the week.

    The start this morning was better than what followed. The Rapira Swedish Supersteel starts its three day shot in the Grand Blade Trial and, since it's a Rapira, from Mostochlegmash, in Moscow...well you know it's gonna be good. Now, unfortunately, that's not how this works. It needs the same treatment as every other blade to discover its quirks, if any.

    The mild Slim has not produced great results so far, saving maybe the Sharp Star. That one was at least good. The Swede is a very sharp blade and as such, it seemed to like the mild setting. Three good passes, no blood obviously, and the results on all three were superior to the Shark and certainly the Zorrik and both Dorco's. I finished with a near BBS and that's on the mild setting. Also, zero irritation based on the alum. I'm almost afraid it can't get any better with gap but.....that's what we're here to find out. I'm hoping for a better shave tomorrow but it's a tough act to follow on the mild setting.

    The idea that sharp blades like mild razors and not so sharp blades like aggressive ones....well, we may be on to something between how the Shark SS performed and what the Swede does. Two more days to shed a little light.

    Hope your day was great!
     
    Drygulch, wmbjr, Linuxguile and 8 others like this.
  3. NCoxSTL

    NCoxSTL AAACK!

    That's just because your technique with the shavette is impeccably good sir.
     
    Drygulch, wmbjr, Norcalnewb and 3 others like this.
  4. Bama Samurai

    Bama Samurai with Laser-like Focus

    I'll take it. Wilkie still stinks though.
     
    Drygulch, wmbjr, Norcalnewb and 3 others like this.
  5. Bama Samurai

    Bama Samurai with Laser-like Focus

    July Leopard Blade Trials
    Rapira PL

    [​IMG]

    Automatic.

    Headed back to the prairie tomorrow! Hopefully... All is quiet in Colorado.

    Have a fantastic Friday!
     
    Drygulch, wmbjr, Linuxguile and 8 others like this.
  6. Norcalnewb

    Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

    image.jpeg

    July Focus Day 29:

    Stirling Synthetic Brush
    Arko Cool SC
    Gem Junior
    Stirling Unscented PSB
    Clubman VI Bay Rum

    A great start to my day as this razor is definitely proving to be a strong performer. The Arko Cool and Clubman VI Bay Rum were as good as ever. I hope everyone has a great day!
     
    BearCWY, Drygulch, wmbjr and 6 others like this.
  7. Linuxguile

    Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

    SOTD July 29th
    [​IMG]

    '59 Gillette SS Red Tip
    Rapira Swedish Supersteel(2)
    TSN Brutalt Bra / La Toja
    Satin Tip The Purest

    Good morning friends! Today's shave was very interesting with lots to report on. To start off with the TSN Brutalt Bra soap. First of all let me say that this soap loads very easily. In a few seconds I had a brush full of the woodsy, piney (the scent component is Norwegian Spruce) soap. I starting to face lather with it and it exploded into a creamy yogurty lather, I though man this is going to be good. A few moments later I started to feel a burning sensation on my face. By the end of the first pass it was pretty uncomfortable. So not wanting to cause any more irritation to my face I rinsed off all the soap and rinsed out my brush and proceeded to bowl lather some La Toja (lather porn pic below) the rest of the shave was nice and smooth and face was calming down. Flowing the shave I splashed on some unscented Witch Hazel, cleaned up my gear. On to the after shave, splashed some Barbasol Pacific Rush on my hands and applied to my face. HOLY CRAP, was met immediately with a very strong alcohol burn followed by an extreme (to me anyway) menthol freeze. A question for you menthol junkies out there, where does Pacific Rush fall on the menthol scale? Once the Pacific Rush flash dried, I applied some Nivea sensitive ASB to set things right.

    Finally on to the blade review.The Rapira Swedish Supersteel. Unfortunately for me it did not perform any better in the Red Tip, a low grade DFS that required some touch up in a few spots. I may even need to shave again tomorrow due to the lack of closeness.

    And finally as promised, the lather porn. Have a great day my friends!
    [​IMG]

    Sent from my Galaxy S6 using Tapatalk
     
    BearCWY, NCoxSTL, Drygulch and 6 others like this.
  8. mrchick

    mrchick Odd, Terrible Avatar

    Focus Free Focus
    I got all sentimental this morning and got out my first straight. I did ten laps with CrO2 on felt and 50 on leather. I was happy to discover that my previous stropping efforts had not ruined the edge. I got a very nice two pass DFS.
    The Body Shop Maca Root Cream
    Wolf Whiskers Brush
    Faultless Razor
    Alum
    Lucky Tiger
    Florida Water
    Happy Friday!
    [​IMG]
     
    BearCWY, NCoxSTL, Drygulch and 6 others like this.
  9. NCoxSTL

    NCoxSTL AAACK!

    In the Good Old Shavertime!

    July 29

    Grand Blade Trial


    Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (6)
    Blade - [​IMG] (2)
    Soap - Arko
    Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
    Post - Alum, Nivea, The Veg

    Day two with the Swede and high expectations. Need a great shave to start the day off right and hopefully turn things around The lather was even better than usual this morning. I added a bit too much water to the brush and managed to shake it a bit and get just the right amount and wow did the
    Arko ever spring to life.

    First pass on 6 on the Slim was very nice. More audible feedback than yesterday and I immediately noticed the freedom to play with angle just a bit. On the milder setting it's ride the cap or close to it or you lose the good cutting effect. At 6 you have freedom to adjust more. I did that through the first two passes and had a great near BBS. Went third pass ATG and Gillette Slide and caught the baby. Nice! Alum was quiet as well so that's a great result. Curious how the extra aggressiveness of the setting tomorrow will change it but for now, great shave and a great start to the day!
     
    BearCWY, Keithmax, mrchick and 5 others like this.
  10. Mr. Freeze93

    Mr. Freeze93 Prefers the baby blue dress

    20160717_170728-01.jpeg

    Rockwell 6S/ R6 Base Plate/ Voskhod (1)
    Stirling 24mm Finest
    Mike's Natural Soaps Barber Shop
    Thayers
    Fine American Blend



    Great shave today. Guessing my first go with Mikes was a fluke as today it was like a completely different soap. No issues getting a good load on the brush and absolutely no issues getting a great lather. Mikes offers great cushion and it's pretty darn slick. My face felt great after I completed my last pass so it gets extra points for having great face care. Finished off with Thayers and after cleanup and a cold water rinse I splashed on some Fine American Blend.
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2016
    BearCWY, mrchick, Drygulch and 6 others like this.
  11. John Ruschmeyer

    John Ruschmeyer Well-Known Member

    A quick question...

    It's already the 29th. Do we have a thread for next month, yet?
     
    BearCWY, Drygulch, Norcalnewb and 2 others like this.
  12. NCoxSTL

    NCoxSTL AAACK!

    Not yet. Look for that late Saturday most likely.

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
     
  13. Rufus T.

    Rufus T. Late for dinner

    If you haven't already Rick, try a twin blade in that Schick - you may never again use that Chick!

    (wow - alliteration? rhyme? Burma Shave.) :eek:
     
    BearCWY, Drygulch, Norcalnewb and 4 others like this.
  14. wmbjr

    wmbjr Duck, duck, cooked goose!

    Their response was that it was made out of a "special zinc alloy." As long as it is special that is all that matters.
     
  15. wmbjr

    wmbjr Duck, duck, cooked goose!

    July 2016 Bigfoot Focus Detour

    July 29

    Razor: 58 Executive
    Blade: Rapira Sweedish Supersteel
    Brush: VDH Boar
    Soap: Stirling MITA
    Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block

    20160729_075129-picsay.jpg

    I did not shave yesterday and when going through my blades I realized I had the one that Neal @NCoxSTL is using for his blade trial. I thought he would be on day 2 with the blade which means a setting of 6 on the adjustable. I decided to give it a go as well. I remember this blade from my days with the Lord L6 and it performed very well. It was early on with the razor, so this will be like using it new for me.

    I set the Executive to 6, got a great lather today from the MITA, which always feels amazing in the summer months. Set out on the first pass WTG/XTG and the Rapira SS did me right. It definitely has some audible feedback and is most definitely a sharp blade. Even with the sharpness, it still feels very smooth. Second pass is ATG and again, it was nice and smooth. Had a minor bit of touch up to do on my jaw line and around the Adam's apple. Finished with a BBS shave. The alum was mostly quiet except one area on the jaw line which I am certain was my fault and not the blade's. A very nice shave from this blade. This blade may just jump into the top 5 for me on blades. Will set the Executive to 9 tomorrow and see what happens.
     
    BearCWY, Keithmax, mrchick and 5 others like this.
  16. wmbjr

    wmbjr Duck, duck, cooked goose!

    I have long been a Ladas fan. I like them more than the Voskhod for the reason you stated, longevity. I get 2 more shaves out of a Ladas blade than I do the Voskhod blades. I don't know if the teflon wears off making the Voskhod rougher or what. Today I used the Swedish Supersteel and I am a huge fan of it. Another very sharp blade which is still plenty smooth. Definitely worth a try.
     
    BearCWY, Drygulch, Norcalnewb and 3 others like this.
  17. NCoxSTL

    NCoxSTL AAACK!

    Short bus razor?

    Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk
     
    BearCWY, Drygulch, Norcalnewb and 2 others like this.
  18. RyX

    RyX DoH!

    That one is, I believe a type L, from around 1976, an Olympics tie in. Also have a type J and Chick blades I acquired in a trade.
    Is there an informative source that tells which injectors can use twin blades?

    Via Kyocera / Tapatalk
     
    BearCWY, Drygulch, Norcalnewb and 2 others like this.
  19. wmbjr

    wmbjr Duck, duck, cooked goose!

    The blades totally missed the bus. The razor not too bad at least.
     
  20. NCoxSTL

    NCoxSTL AAACK!

    Very nice! Again, confirmation of my results. Love it!
     
    BearCWY, Drygulch, Linuxguile and 2 others like this.

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