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

Razor: Gillette Red Tip
Blade: Feather Hi Stainless (5)
Brush: Elite Razor Mokume-Gane Carbon and Red Copper Silver Tip 3 Band 24/50
Soap: Route 66 Cavendish
A/S: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle (test)

 

I think I am set, but appreciate it!

 

Focus: NF Brush #14 - Feb 29
New Forest Finest two-band Apolina Tubby​

Ending the month with what turned out to be my favorite NF brush so far - the Two-Band, Finest in Apolina Tubby handle. First time using it.

As I started lathering up I am again recognizing the two-band/Finest knot and how much I like these knots. Nice, firm, soft with a tiny bit of scritch. The handle on the Tubby is by no means small but for some reason it all came together in this brush. Loved using it and it produced some amazing lather in no time.

You might also recognize the razor that was used this morning...it was fantastic

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Beauty picture.

 

Well, I am going to end my February focus a bit early, and start my March focus tomorrow. As I mentioned earlier, March is Straight Razor focus. I will be using both SR and DE for a while until I get comfortable with an SR. But since it's the weekend, I can take the extra time to really focus on learning the straight without slicing my face off..

Anyhow, February I've been focusing on soaps, getting my lather down, while at the same time perfecting my DE shave. I've been skin stretching and using both hands for shaving, too. I got a full sample pack from both Route 66 and Chiseled Face, and have full tubs of Reef Point Dragons Blood and Shannon's Soaps Bay Patchouli Grapefruit. All are great soaps, and I can make great lather consistently now. Since I started DE shaving in mid January I have come a very long way with my shaves. The first DE shave was just horrible, I had no idea what I was doing. This forum has been incredibly helpful, and sticking with the same razor, blades and brush per the 30 day rule has been great. I get DFS to BBS all the time. If it isn't BBS it's just due to a little patch on my neck, cheeks are always BBS. Easier to get the edge of the goatee too, I imagine a straight will (eventually) be even better for that.

I do want to try a few other DE blades so I can order a hundred pack. I did try an Astra once and it seemed pretty good too. I have a sample pack, so I will get around to giving them all a shot. Feathers are relatively expensive (I DID start this to save money, and have spent more than the last 5 years combined.. ) But if the straights go well, DE will be for when I'm in a little rush.

So cheers all!

 

February Focus - German blades DONE! Best of the Best to the Finish!

February 26

Razor - '59 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (2)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, Nivea, The Veg

Second and final day on the blade. Two day quick hits are a bit strange to me. Just feel like I'm getting warmed up and it's time to change. BoSFat for the fantastic lather. I soaked the puck with more water than last time, well what remains of the puck. Seems like that got it working better on the ring of death. Two passes to a very nice DFS again. Still great audio feedback with the carbon blade even on one day growth. Did a few spots ATG and got very close to the baby. I'll take it. Off to work and, now, at the end of the day, I can say that the shave was the high point of the day. It was all downhill from there.

Tomorrow's a new day though. And, I'll be starting with my '47 Super Speed and Feather blade. Should be a great start.

 

Holy cow. I just did an inventory, because I need to make another straight razor roll to hold all my razors. Counting the ones that are out for work right now and should be back in the next week or two, I have 31 straights. That's not counting one I am sending out as a PIF, one loaned to my brother in law, or my shavette. I really have a problem.


My problem is that I need to make three razor rolls, instead of one.

 

Please post a pic of your razor roll. I'd like to see one.

 

I thought I had a problem with 6 blades 3 whole razors and a shavette.

 

Here is my current SR storage. The ones in leather cases are shave ready. I have 8 out for honing and restores right now. (I have been trading a lot of shave gear and other stuff for getting work done.) The ones in the tin need either honing, full breakdowns to sand and polish, or are junked so bad I won't feel bad using them for practice pinning and taking razors apart. I am going to make a couple of rolls out of some very thin leather, that I should be able to sew on my wife's sewing machine, which should go much faster than the hand sewn ones in the picture.

 

You're not alone. I can't get a feel for even lower grade badger. Having found boar to be comfortable, Plisson was the final weapon of choice for me, a hundred percent face latherer. Exactly as you say, backbone is not negotiable when face lathering.

Cool razor, I read some of the thread about it. Nice find! Cool photo, too.

 

Wow! Those are fun pics!

 

Planned Day 57 - 90 Day Intro to SR
SOTD - 26 February 2016



WD 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
TSD ISZ AS
Veg
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This is also kind of a February wrap and update. Yesterday was a particularly smooth shave, which means the continued focus on good stropping technique. For Day 57, I went back to the WD, and using the baseball pattern was able to get close to BBS, but I did have a weeper on the neck and lip. Probably operator error! In general, shaving with a straight is not harder or slower than any of the other razors, but the first several tries proved frustrating, but after about a month or so things started to improve. I've reached the point where a DFS is pretty much auto, and I've got enough technique and touch to catch the baby if it all works out and I try just a bit to catch.

The strop I am using is a black 45 handmade by one of our regular (original as well) 30Day Focus thread contributors, @Drygulch (Adam) I don't know crap about strops, but his handmade strop is keeping the edges sharp and smooth. Highly recommended as a first strop, it would even last years as a primary strop. Big kudos Adam! The next strop I buy will also be from Drygulch Leatherworks, a TSD Supporting vendor. What I really like about Adam's strop is that it's quality leather, bare bones but not cheaply made, and at a price that didn't make me wanna cry as I nicked the edges being a noob. It features copper riveting, a snap closure swivel for hanging, and a latigo leather hanger loop. The doorknob on my office room is where stropping occurs. If you're interested, you can read about Adam's leather biz >here<.

The Ralf Aust 5/8 really is the smoothest of the two razors in my rotation. It will shave sideburn to jaw with ease every time, and after the edge was rehoned, it's as smooth as the back of a butter knife when I am having a good day. I've learned through the experience of learning on two razors that the Aust also requires a little more care, it's a long straight blade! If wielded precisely, it is a great shave. Get sloppy, get scarred. Great razor! Thanks again to @Keithmax for turning me on to it.

The Whipped Dog is an ugly duckling, but always has a slight smile! It's plenty sharp, and a bit more forgiving. Truly a beginner razor, the blades bears stains, but is in good condition and gets my face smooth. A visit to the website shows that straight shaving can be had at rock bottom prices. I'd recommend a WD razor for a newbie looking for value priced starter. When I received it, the razor was exactly as promised, a functional sharp blade, devoid of any real flaws beyond the cosmetic. Scales are nothing special, but it closes well and the pins are nice and tight. I'll be hanging on to it forever as a shave option for travel and such, if needed.

The plan at this point in my SR focus trilogy is to use the straights for all of March, with the exception of a three day experiment with a different SR style blade, March 15-18. To anyone seriously considering learning to straight shave, you can do it! It's yielding very comfortable shaves now, and they feel different than DE or SE, though I must add ( @Billyfergie ) that an old Schick G injector approximates the SR feel pretty closely, as does a wide open Gillette FB held at a low angle.

A tired end to a long productive day. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great Friday!

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Great cases, a fine way to store your light shavers, appropriate for a Sith Lord.

I hope you make a couple extra and add them to your Etsy shop.

 

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Pre: Warm Shower, Sterling Pre-Shave Soap, Noxema
Soap: MDC Fougere
Brush: Oscar11 D-7 Envy White Badger
Razor: The One Blade
Blade: Gem Stainless Coated
Post: Cold Rinse, Witch Hazel, Mystic Water Whipped Shea Butter, F&C Shambala

 

Hello Manny! Welcome to the 30 Say Focus. Good to have you here.

 

February 25 & 27, 2016

Gillette Old Type
Rapira Super Stainless (1 & 2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle



I haven't posted in a while, work has been crazy. Way behind on my reading.
I shaved Thursday and this morning, but had no time yesterday. Both my shaves were with a Rapira Super Stainless in the Old Type. Yesterday I went with C.O. Bigelow and Pinaud Clubman Original. Today with Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic along with Aqua Velva Ice Blue. Both shaves were nice. Yesterday was BBS, today came extremely close to BBS, but missed it with two tiny spots on my neck. While I think the Mita and Aqua Velva make a nice mentholated pair, I like the after shave feel of the Clubman more.

The Rapira Super Stainless was one of my early favorites. It is certainly capable of BBS shaves. But lately it seems to take a lot more effort to achieve the BBS than with the Feather or the Gillette Silver Blue. I'm glad I picked up 50 of each of those fine blades.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

SOTD February 27, 2016
Focus day 27
Break in focus to use Schick Injector

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick G1 injector (late 1940s)
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Arko
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Fine Platinum, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, XTG, touch-up

Went with the Schick Injector this morning. Jekyll and Hyde type of shave today. My cheeks and most of my upper face is really smooth. But I had some difficult areas around my jaw and neck that I just couldn't seem to get (my technique needs improving). Overall a decent shave, but certainly not my best. I really like the Injector and look forward to practicing with it more as the famous Bunny makes it way around to me.

Have a great weekend everyone!

 

02/27/2016
Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti
Feather Super Pro (6)
DK7 with Druida Manchurian
Jabonman Citricos
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Shambala
Whipped Shea Butter


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A great 2 pass near BBS shave this morning. I am running a little behind this morning so this had to be a quick shave even by my standards. Everything about this shave just clicks. This will be my last shave of the February Focus. Meeting a friend this afternoon to loan him both the AlumiGoose and Mongoose for an extended test drive. Finished off with a splash of F&C Shambala. Love the scent and cooling menthol. Hope everyone has a great day.

 

February 27
Henckels Twin Works #50
Edwin Jagger DE89 - Feather (3) {Pictured - Didn't use)
PSO, Hot Shower, Nivea Face wash, hot towel
Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush
Route 66 Sweeney Todd soap
Alum, Nivea balm,Pinuad Clubman AS
Mod Cabin Honysuckle Beard Balm

First shave with a straight completed! I was planning to just do my right cheek, maybe left cheek, but it was going well, and I'm a little thick headed, so I went ahead and did my neck too. That went well, so I did an across the grain pass on my cheeks, and a south-north on my neck, which isn't quite against the grain, I don't think I will be able to do against the grain there... That also went well, so I did a third pass - south north on my checks and another on my neck. All of this was 'baseball' pattern, lathering in sections.

I did pretty good with both left and right hands, had a little shake starting out. It's a bit disconcerting using something that sharp on your face.. but once I got a bit of a feel for it, the shakes went away and I got into a great focus. I did nick my left earlobe very very slightly, no blood even, but I feel it. Razor burn? Yep! Not as bad as I expected though. Alum told me where I need to pay more attention, as did the Pinuad. BBS? HA! Not even DFS. I got a lot of smooth spots, but plenty of rough patches. I haven't shaved since Wednesday morning, I thought it may be easier my first shave with a decent beard going. I don't know if that helped or hurt, but I at least got everywhere some. Overall it was much better than my first DE shave, but I just kinda had at that with no research at all. This time I've both had a few weeks of DE shaves, and watched a ton of videos, read advice, etc.. I'm happy with my first SR shave, but clearly there is a learning curve to be tackled.