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

Figured it was about time to jump on the alum train. It really was good to have the feedback of where things were good (though the feedback because of the bad blade was not very welcomed!). I think it will be a helpful addition, especially when first trying out razors or blades to get that added verification the proper technique was used.

 

This is a plan...my wife won't convert....

 

Thank you Clint. The knot worked perfectly. There is some weight to the handle, which I prefer.

 

I am going to keep trying on my fiancee (will be wife come April 30!!!). I bought her the lady's Schick injector and the blue starburst lady Gillette razors. She has used each once since Christmas. When she moves in for good, I plan to keep pushing the idea of giving up carts for good until one of us gives. I think the purple brush may just be the "pretty thing" she needs to get more excited about it. We shall see. My daughter has actually commented a few times about giving it a try, so may snag one of my fiancee's razors and let her give it a try, or just let her try the J type since it is clearly what the lady Schick is based off. Maybe if I can get at least one of them to convert it will be ok.

 

Good stuff! I concur on the Schick, it seems like the perfect starter for large area shaves like legs. Very cool.

 

Not quite sure what's going on the past couple shaves. I switched up from Voskhods to Polsilvers mid month. Polsilvers do seem more consistent but... Last couple shaves have been smooth but bloody! First example was shave #3 in my New LC with Haslinger soap. Last night was shave #1 with New Standard LC and Mitchell's Wool Fat. Both shaves resulted in 5-6 significant weepers though I felt little or nothing. Don't know what to blame it on.

 

Bunk blade or it could be the edge was ruined during loading. I have messed up the edge when loading injectors and pay particular attention to make sure the blade does not run across the stops as it is loaded.

 

Did not think about messing up the edge. A couple of questions come to mind. When putting the blade in, how do you make sure the blade does not run across the stops? Just making sure the dispenser is put in properly and not at any kind of angle or is there more to it? There did not seem to be much leeway in terms of installing the blade. Also, is there a way to know before you use it that you have messed up the edge? Is it visibly nicked or scratched up or anything such that a visible inspection would let you know not to use it and install another? Thanks for the information and food for though.

 

You can tell if the blade is going to go in wrong as soon as you start to slide it in. I think it happens when I moved to fast. There can be enough play in the whole set up to allow you to torque it and get the blade started at a funny angle. If this happens and the blade runs across the blade stop it just dulls the edge. I have only had it happen to me once and now I just slow down and pay attention.

 

Outstanding!! The one thing that sets the Maggard brush apart from the others is its "custom look" that brush looks like it would cost much more than the $15 it was.
Congrats on your upcoming nuptials!!

 

I completely agree about the look and finish of the Maggard. Really a beautiful brush for under $15. I think it is truly the best deal out there given the aesthetic aspects as well as the functional.

Thank you as well for the congrats. Definitely looking forward to getting passed the next few months as all the minutiae has to be decided and planned etc.

 

Polsilver gives me weepers too. Extremely sharp, but not as smooth as some other blades, imho.

 

So is it the sharpness that makes them virtually unnoticeable mid shave? I remember hearing that in one YouTube video in reference to Feathers but I dismissed him as a bozo.

 

They are so sharp they cut you before you can feel it. Exactly right!

 

Yep, some blades are too sharp for some skin. My fiancee cant use GSB and similar blades. She loves Wilkinson. I cant use feather except in a shavette because of the weepers.

 

Feb 26 Focus Shave 19

Today's razor is a Rasurpur Western grind kamisori on it's second shave after a J Nat refresh. This razor always seems to take a great edge.

It felt smooth and reasonable sharp. I only did 3 passes, due to a scheduled evening liaison I will shave again tonight. Alum gave on the slightest feedback and DFS because I did not execute an ATG pass. TGIF

Irritation A Closeness B+ Smoothness A Keenness A

Tabac
Thäter silver tip
Rasurpur Western grind Kamisori
Harold Russian leather strop
Speick AS
L'Occitane ASB
Dior Cuir Cannage

 

Cool, a 'Hey y'all watch this' moment. Pass this test you will and Jedi knight become you will.

 

Well I started a little bit later than you guys but since Feb 14th I have been using the Van Der Hagen soap, butterfly DE razor, blades, and boar brush. It was all part of a kit and that is all that I have so I am kind of forced to only use that until I buy other items. I will also start next round with you guys.

 

We're glad to have you, whenever you decide to join! Please post your reactions and results of your shaves and we'll be glad to do what we can to help you along. I am neophyte myself - been DE shaving for two months - but I can say this Focus group is here to help. You'll enjoy the commentary and camaraderie too!

I would urge you to look at tryablade.com and order a variety of blades to try. The guys here can offer TONS of advice about blades. I read in one of your other posts that you were thinking of buying some Personna lab blues. Those are good blades! Lots of TSD members use them. But you'll need to try a good many to find a few that really work for you.

Again, welcome aboard!

 

Welcome to the thread!