February '16 - 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion Thread

SOTD February 24, 2016
Focus day 24
Day 8 of open comb use and comparison

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (3)
Razor: Maggard MR1 handle with V2 open comb
Brush: Trader Joe's synthetic
Lather: TSD unscented shave stick
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with drug store 'New Spice', Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Pretty good CCS again this morning. The soap stick lather is drying up on my chin and neck and I have rehydrate it or reapply lather from the brush. I don't have that issue with other soaps. I've got to do some more trial and error with the water and lathering of the stick. I reapplied some lather and got it in shape to shave and then followed up with the first pass with some touch-up. Nice shave all in all.

In any case, the quality of the soap and post-shave feel is first rate. I think TSD products are really exceptional.

The open comb razor continues to win me over. I think it has a great efficiency level compared to the closed comb. This could be subjective of course but the end products of my shaves with the open comb have all been great. I have enjoyed this comparison focus immensely.

I hope you have a great Wednesday!

 

SOTD
On the road today.
Palmolive shave stick
AoS Pure Badger travel brush
Schick type G
Chick blade (2)
MK Sport cologne
Have fun!

 

2/24/16

Gillette Old Type
Gillette Platinum Plus (3)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
C.O. Bigelow cream
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Another nice comfortable BBS from the Gillette Platinum Plus in the Old Type.
Went back to C.O. Bigelow today in the hopes that it might give me the same easy shave I had on my first day with the GPP. Did my typical 2 passes followed by a light touch up with some of the soap on my face. Then a cool water rinse, and more than average touch up captured the baby. The Clubman stung more today than yesterday.

The Gillette Platinum Plus was still smooth on its third outing, but had lost some of its sharpness. I needed to go over my trouble spots a little more each day. But it was able to deliver the BBS if I was willing to expend the effort. For that, it deserves a trial in at least some of my other razors.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Wednesday.

 

30 Day Focus February 24, 2016

Noxema preshave cream
Gillette Heavy Tech / Gillette Silver Blue
Omega / Proraso Blue
WH / Shea butter / Proraso ASB

We are on a roll! The GSB continues to shine. What an amazing blade. Still sharp and smooth. The Proraso Blue cream is also very nice....just like all Proraso products it provides plenty of thick lather and it is very slick. I love the post shave feel of this cream...a true pleasure.

 

Almost the same set up as yesterday.

Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Pre: Shower, Sterling Pre-Shave Soap, Noxema
Soap: Aqua Di Parma
Brush: Druida D-7 Manchurian
Razor: Blackland Blackbird
Blade: Feather #2
Post: Witch Hazel, Unrefined Shea Butter, Fine Platinum

 

Razor: Gillette Red Tip
Blade: Feather Hi Stainless (3)
Brush: Fendrihan Silver Tip
Soap: RazoRock XXX
A/S: Floid Vigoroso
Excellent shave today with this combination of products.

 

SOTD
February 24, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Blackland Blackbird
Blade: Gillette 7 o'clock Super Platinum
Lather: Route 66- Retro Spice
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft
Post: Thayers Rose Petal WH.
Aftershave: Route 66- Retro Spice
Great shave with Route 66 Retro Spice! RS is very slick, when I rinse my face in between passes I really notice the slickness in RS. Glass like. Oh, I ran out of Thayers Cucumber WH and I'm now using Rose Petal, I've got to say that I'm totally digging the Rose Petal. The BB was awesome as usual.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

 

February 24
Edwin Jagger DE89
Feather (2)
PSO, Hot Shower, Nivea Face wash
Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush
Route 66 Retro Spice soap
Alum, Nivea balm,Pinaud Clubman AS
Mod Cabin Honysuckle Beard Balm

 

I am really liking the BB razor. Almost everyone reports great shaves with the BB. On the witch hazel, I have been adding menthol crystals to the drug store brand.

 

I won the Evahs PIF from @Darkbulb so I will be focusing on it when it comes I for at least 3 weeks of daily shaves. Today I'll go back for shave 3 of the Viking Sword. I never intended to be away from straights this long but I was impressed with the blade and want to see how well it lasts.

 

Greetings all,

I regret that I haven't been around much the past week or so, but my father passed away on Valentine's Day (at 90) and I've been traveling and tending to all the related affairs. He lived a full and remarkable life.

Knowing the great bunch of people on TSD, most all of you, especially on this thread, will send sympathy, condolences, etc. Your expressions are so deeply appreciated, but just by "liking" this post you'll convey those thoughts just as well to me and it will be just as warmly appreciated.
Best,
Vince

 

February 24, 2016
February Focus on my Schick Type D - The first Schick Injector Razor circa 1935



Unfortunately I've had to cut my February focus short. I put my name on the pass-around list for a home made injector razor created by TSD member @twhite It reached me on Monday and I will have it for just ten days before it must go to the next user.

I will say that even my stunted focus with the Schick Type D was very successful. After about 10 shaves it's clear that this is a very smooth, easy-handling razor that will be in my rotation...if I ever get to the point of having a rotation!

I will be back for a March focus, but use this link if you want to follow my unique artisan injector razor experience.



Also it's not too late if you'd like to get in on the pass-around, @twhite has made multiple razors and they are literally going around the world. But hurry if you are interested as the lists are getting long.

Cheers!
RT

 

I'm still sending you my sympathies Rufus.

 

Hard to believe we are coming up to the end of February. Spring is just around the corner! I am looking ahead to March and considering a new 30 day focus. I think I am going to bring my blade trial to an end. I seriously doubt Merkur, Shark or Feather will come remotely close to the magically balanced sharpness and smoothness of the Gillette Silver Blue . I think March will be a good month for perfecting my technique with creams and croaps.

Anyone else looking ahead to March 30 day focus?

 

I'm trying to decide what to do! I really enjoy the open comb razor and may just focus on that and keep improving. I like my soap rotations - Monday using Proraso Green, Tuesday-Thursday using the same soap and brush, then a wild card weekend. I've also thought about adding Fat Fridays with Mitchell's Wool Fat each Friday. I would continue to try a few blades but use Personna lab blues for the most part.

I do need to work in some injector shaves to prepare for the arrival of the Bunny razor! It will probably come to me in May or June seeing that I'm toward the bottom of the list. I am also on the list for Brad's (@fishcrow) pass-around box. I am third on that list so it may come to me next month or in early April.

Other than open comb I haven't really thought about what to do in March. But I look forward to sharing the journey with you guys.

 

Very sorry for your loss my thoughts are with you and yours.

 

I am about to begin my much anticipated blade trial. I've had a sample pack since November and have waited until my technique is up to scratch for a fair comparison.

 

Just got my tabac soap any advice on lathering please?

 

Yes, I'm gonna give straights a go in March. I will be starting easy with only WTG cheek passes, then finishing with my DE. Progress as it lets me progress. I will be skipping days that I feel pressed for time and only using the DE. I also need to try some different blades in my DE, been using feathers since I got it.

 

Razor: Cattaraugus Chief’s Head
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Chromexcel Horse/ Linen
Brush: Dubl Duck 10066
Soap: Sterling Barbershop
Post Shave: Cold water splash, Alum, Thayers’ Rose Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Lustray Blue Spice

Today’s shave included a razor I honed, a strop I made, and a brush I re-knotted and polished. Razor was smooth, and the brush worked awesome. I set the knot from my Omega 10066 into this handle a little deeper than it was in the original handle. I also had to shave the plug to get it to fit. I was worried about shedding, but only lost about 4 hairs. A little more backbone, but the knot is well broken in so this boar is as soft as a badger. It made short work of the Sterling soap I have been having so much trouble with. Shave was smooth and nice. Got one cut from not paying attention to the square tip when I was moving my stache out of the way. Whoops. Other than the cut, good DFS shave, with very little irritation. Lustray Blue Spice is great, I just wish the scent lasted longer.