January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Happy anniversary Doug! I hope you and your wife had a nice day.

 

Phoenix Double OC
Gillette Silver Blue
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Five fine shaves with my Phoenix DOC loaded with the Gillette Silver Blue. No problems other than trying to catch up with this fast moving crew.

Still doing 2 passes followed by cool water touch up. Getting BBS or near BBS each day. Enjoying my time with the Phoenix DOC.

I hope everyone has had a great weekend and stayed warm. I'm sorry to hear Neal's having problems, but glad he's home and on the mend.

 

Digital Photography has grown massively, it's just incredible. You talk (a little) like your iPhone isn't amazing, It is far better than my first digital camera. Really they aren't bad. Eye, composition, light, post-processing, are all much more important. I had my own film darkroom way back when, mostly black and white, but I did c-41 a little. Color was much harder for a lot of reasons.... but Photoshop just blows away what I could do back then. Huge learning curve, but well worth it. I've been lazy lately, I usually take landscapes, but haven't been traveling enough. I've burned myself out on everything an hour or so away. This is making me think differently. haven't done much of this style. Got a ton to learn..

 

Fantastic contrast! Perfect shot for B&W!

 

Thanks JR! It's like you said, the iPhone can give you great shots. This one's right out of the box. I just picked b/w and snapped the picture.

 

A little late, but: Happy anniversary And you even have a matching razor - that's pretty cool

 

Good morning TSD

Day 1 of my comparison week - Merkur Futur vs. Progress



My setup today:

- Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood
- Mühle STF
- Merkur Progress on 2.5
- Gillette Silver Blue (#4)
- Tüff sensitiv
- Pinaud Special Reserve

After having used the Futur for more than 2 weeks I pulled the Progress out of the drawer for a comparison between the two Merkur Adjustables.

The two are very different in style and appearance, so it's a bit like comparing apples and oranges, even though they both come from the same manufacturer. The Futur looks modern and elegant (I'd go so far as to say it looks classy) with pretty clean lines, whereas the Progress has a certain "old school/retro charm". The Futur is 10 cm long and weighs approx. 125 grams, the Progress is about 1.5 cm shorter and weighs 95 grams. I think the Futur is a little more balanced, the Progress is a bit top heavy (though that can be a plus with shaving). Both are 2-piece designs - on the Progress you have to turn the bottom knob to unscrew the top plate, on the Futur you just pull of the head plate.

In terms of workmanship the Futur is pretty much flawless, whereas the Progress had some sharp edges around the bottom of the adjustment knob which I sanded a while ago because that really bothered me.

But now for today's shave. After a hot shower I loaded the Mühle Brush with Stirling's Vanilla Sandalwood soap. This Silvertip Fibre is growing on me. It actually feels pretty small for a 23 mm brush but it's a little lather monster. Very soft but at the same time enough backbone for a bit of massage. I produced tons of slick lather this morning ... though I think I have to get accustomed to the different water management with synthetics vs. badger

I took over the GSB blade from my Futur to the Progress for today's shave. With the first few strokes it was quite apparent that the Progress demands a different angle than the Futur. Not much, just a little. It shaves very gentle but at the same feels a little less efficient than the Futur (though that impression might change tomorrow when I use the Progress at a higher setting). And there's less audible feedback ... the Futur is a pretty loud razor. To my surprise I prefer the Futur's handle over the Progresses, although I usually like shorter handles.

The usual 2 passes WTG and A/XTG plus a bit of touchup at the jawline left me with a pretty much BBS face and a DFS+ neck - very nice. Absolutely no reaction to the Aftershave. Obviously GSB and Progress is a great combination. Now let's wait and see how long this shave lasts

It's too early for a final verdict but at the moment the Futur is at least one step ahead of the Progress. That doesn't mean that the Progress is not a good razor - it is a very good one and both are actually better (meaning more efficient) than the Gillette Adjustables I have used (Slim and Black Beauty).

 

Straights Focus January 25:

Homemade PS Oil
WD High Mountain Badger 30 mm
Stirling British Leather SS
Ontario Cutlery Co
Stirling Unscented PSB -- Mentholated
Stirling British Leather AS

I went back to a single pass this morning, and got a decent shave. Probably about a SAS as there are few spots on my jaw line where I can feel a little more roughness. It's not visible, but a little roughness I can now that a little time has passed. The always erythromycin quiet. After a splash of Stirling British Leather, I am off to start my work week. Have a great Monday.

 

Great picture!

 

01/25/2016
AlumiGoose with Hempel Ti
Feather Pro (2)
Doug Korn DK7 with Druida Manchurian
Chiseled Face Trace Winds
Witch Hazel
Myrsol F/Extra
Whipped Shea Butter


​

Sticking with the same pattern as yesterday, I went with ATG followed by XTG. After a few touch ups around my chin, I ended up with a near BBS. Finished up with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra followed by Shea Butter and I think I am ready for the work week. I hope everyone has a great Monday.

 

Thank you I like yours as well

 

I definitely have a bunch to learn. I have always wanted to be a better photographer, but just never spent the time working on it. You are right, the iPhone camera, is much better than my first digital, but I do wish it had an optical zoom. I would also like to learn Photoshop, but I get by with some apps on the iPhone for now. Composition and lighting are two areas I can work on. My SOTD photos are always taken in the bathroom under the harsh vanity lights. Seeing some of the light boxes that have popped up here lately have me thinking about looking for something similar for my use.

 

@Boojim1 had one in his pic. What a memory you have..."Streets if San Francisco". 2 clowns fighting and Carl Malden make 3 clown noses.

 

Today was the 9th shave on the Persona blade. It still is smooth but I needed a bit of touch up on my neck today. Might have to ponder changing it.

Prep: warm wash
Lather: TSE tallow
Brush: TGN synthetic
Razor: Blackland Blackbird
Blade: persona lab blue (9)
Post: Old Spice

 

SOTD
January 25, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Gillette Super Speed 1953 Y2
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Brush: Maggard Razors 24mm Synthetic Marble Handle
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Royall Vetiver
Had a beautiful shave with MWF. The new Maggard synthetic brush performed like a champ. I was able to put the spray attached on the Royall Vetitver, make a world of difference.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

 

9 shaves is amazing IMO. I've never got past 5-6. You are a master!

 

Yeah, I want to build a light box too. It's fun and different for sure. I got to using Photoshop enough I pay for the new one - $10 a month. Worth it to me.

 

January 25 - Day 5, Shave 4
Edwin Jagger DE89
Feather (1)
Pre-Shave Oil
Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood
Alum, Pinaud Clubman
Mod Cabin Honeysuckle beard balm


New blade, another DFS. First nic, nothing bad, but my mind wandered a bit and technique went out the window.. Doh!

 

Great picture with good products.

 

Excellent picture. Good looking brush.