March '16 - 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion Thread

its smooth but not cue ball smooth. And I'm okay with that. my trouble spot is the right side of my head up across from my ear. I think I'll try Cornhuskers on my last pass..

 

I use pre shave oil just like I do on my face and it's helped tremendously.

 

Thanks Mark, I wasn't sure where to find it other than online.

 

3/4/16

Gillette Birth Quarter Tech (Y3)
Gillette Platinum Plus (1)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Shaved this morning, but once again late to post.
Next in line for the Birth Quarter Tech is the Gillette Platinum Plus. This is a Brazilian blade I found at the local Walgreens. Nice slick lather from the Fat. Two smooth and comfortable passes with a light touch up after the second with the lather left on my face. A cold water rinse and a lighter than normal touch up brought home the baby. The Clubman stung a little bit today, but less than normal.

A fine long lasting BBS from the Gillette Platinum Plus in my Birth Quarter Tech. It’s been over 12 hours since my shave and I'm still close to a DFS.

I hope everyone had a great Friday and a nice weekend.

 

March into Artist Club Blades

March 4

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (4)
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold Rinse, Alum, Nivea Original Balm, The Veg

Day four and I felt good going into the shave this morning. Got up a bit earlier than normal, hit the shower a bit earlier and I think I just relaxed a bit more than usual. The Wolf and Tabac were out of this world good. Enough lather on one load to have shaved for a week I think. The only concern was the mark from the slight cut from yesterday's bad set down. Will have to keep that in mind. It's in an area that I can work around, just don't want to reopen it.

First pass WTG was very nice. Good audio, the Kai Mild is still as effective as on day one and with the thick Tabac lather it was slick and smooth. I lightly went over the cut and didn't notice any blood so all good there. Second pass was XTG and I did very well on the right side. Felt very natural working from the nose out to the ear. When I went to the left side I fumbled a bit for some reason. It took a couple of tries to get set right and make a reasonable pass but I finally got there. Had to chill for a second and just let everything relax. I added a partial third pass on the neck, ATG and then went with a mild G-slide action to finish up a couple of spots on the neck. Not nearly as much horizontal angle as with a DE, but enough to polish things off. Finished DFS and very happy with the result.

Alum was a bit harsh on the neck, but I earned that by both ATG and my modified G-slide. Guess it needs a new name. Can't really call it a true Gillette Slide. Pain skid, yeah that works.

Here's to a great Saturday for everyone!

 

Shave Secret PS oil
Strop Shoppe SE
Omega Pro #248
Germania Cutl. Works 6/8
Pinaud Special Reserve

This was my first good tallow shaving soap. My bowl has the remains of two or three samples. I never did order a full sized tub. If you haven't tried a tallow based soap, do it. That old razor is my best shaving straight. It doesn't leave much for a DE touch up. A swipe of alum block after cool water rinse revealed one bite from the square tip just below my moustache, but no complaints when splashing on a handful of Clubman S.R.
A good shave, hope your was as well.

 

I am not sure if there is an official PIF month going on for this year, as I didn't see anything on the home page. Either way, I was planning on doing two PIFs this month. My first PIF is up: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/upgrade-pif.50170/. Check it out.

 

Day 1 of 30 for my new SE: so I rushed home on lunch because the mail ran late and found my razor waiting. However, the seller did not follow my directions and unscrew the handle so the head was bent a little slanted. Didn't notice it u til after I tried to speed shave. Learned that she WILL bite you without utmost respect. almost completely took the tiny mole off my lip. Took me over 10 to stop the bleeding. But! I got home, slowly took my time and dialed in my angle and it was fantastic.better than any DE shave I've ever had. Avoided my lip but gave 3 pass to my cheeks and chin and became part seal. I'm totally sold on this razor. Its absolutely friggin awesome. I do have a question though. Will after shave always burn? To avoid it, do I need a balm or what?

Edit: bent the head straight at work. Probably part of why it went better

 

That is a good-looking razor. Did you have it restored? Or is it NOS?

 

30 Day Focus March 5, 2016

Noxema preshave
Gillette Heavy Tech / Gillette Silver Blue
Semogue / Cella
WH / shea butter / Proraso ASB
Today it was the battle of Flash versus Cella. Cella, of course won!. This Semogue brush has shorter bristles and it seems to work better in small soap tub...like Cella. A great shave. Enjoy the Saturday gents!

 

3/5/16

Gillette Birth Quarter Tech (Y3)
Gillette Platinum Plus (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic
C.O. Bigelow
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



An interesting shave and one I hope I don't repeat anytime soon. I decided to finish off my Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic. There was just a small ring in my sample container and I thought I might not have enough, so I brought out the C.O. Bigelow to have on hand if needed. I was surprised that I was able to get what appeared to be enough product, and went to work in my scuttle. The lather looked good, but really wasn't. My first pass revealed that it was just too dry. No glide. My razor skipped around. I made it through that pass and added water to the lather until it looked much better. I applied it to my face and found that it was too wet. Still no glide and now, no cushion. Seemed little better than soapy water. I squeezed out my brush and that looked good and felt slick, so I did some touch up with it. Looks can be deceiving. I rinsed off my face and found that I had barely a DFS on my neck and jawline. My cheeks were better: DFS+. I'd had enough of the Mita.
Rinsed out my brush and scuttle and then went with the C.O. Bigelow for the save. Built the lather in the scuttle and it really turned out well. I did almost a full pass because of the large areas that still needed reduction. Then, a cold water rinse and some additional touch up on my neck. The result? A BBS. The Clubman burned like fire and my neck was red afterwards, but started feeling nice shortly afterwards.

Not something I'm anxious to repeat, but I don't feel any discomfort, so all is well. I often test a small amount of lather off my brush with my fingers once I’ve built my lather. It looks like I was too accepting of what I thought I felt when evaluating the Mita lather. I’ll have to pay closer attention to this in the future.

I hope everyone has a nice Saturday.

 

Injector Focus
Today I used my new Schick E-4 after using an E-2 all week. After one shave, I didn't notice any difference. I got a fantastic two pass shave and am really starting to like the Type E razors.
On a side note, you guys in the focus group really brought me out of my shell. This is my 3000th post and I wouldn't have half that without you guys. I have learned so much in here and look forward to checking in daily.
SOTD
Route 66 Retro Spice
Jayaruh #44 brush
Schick E-4
Alum
Déjà Fougère AS
Have a great weekend!

Time for a group hug

 

03/05/2016
Gillette Red & Black New Deluxe
Feather (1)
Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Jabonman Citricos
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Capri
Whipped Shea Butter


​

This shave was a great start to the weekend. After spending a week with a the Shavemac D01 I wanted some soft luxury. This brush with the Shavemac Finest Knot is the softest most luxurious brush I own and it whipped up the Jabonman effortlessly. For the razor, I went with the Red & Black New Deluxe. It's similar to a New LC but does shave a bit differently. Using a 3 pass shave with minor touch ups I am near BBS. Finished off with a splash of F&C Capri. Overall a very enjoyable shave. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

 

I think my "focus" will be to put a temporary halt to purchasing anything special. Just yesterday, I sent in for a couple Chiseled Face aftershaves, and that should do me well, with all else I have(including the raffle prize). Bill Mennen, if you're listening, don't worry ol'man, I'll make you happy come summer with your Skin -Bracer(that goes for the late Jack Palance, too......"confidence is sexaaaahhhh, don't you think?)"....but I'm in good shape as spring approaches,.

 

Congrats Kerry. I realize you don't have the advantage of shaving flat surfaces during a head shave. Does your hair follow a grain pattern, or does it grow in all different directions? I'm just trying to understand why so many passes are required.

I hope you have a great weekend and are feeling better. I popped my knee (yes, this a medical term), and my Bride just applied an ice pack on it. Looks like I need to keep it elevated in the recliner today.

 

Thanks!
It was in decent shape, I cleaned up some light staining, then sent it to @gssixgun who fixed some edge issues and honed it up nicely. Shaves great!

 

Oh no Charlie!! Any mention of a knee injury makes me squirm-ish... ice, keep it up, stay off it, shop online for something nice for your Bride.
Charlie, feeling my head right now 17 hours since I shaved I can't feel a growth pattern, now that you have me thinking about when I go 48 hours without shaving my head I can feel a pattern only when I'm doing touch up. I have a full head of hair still and I can't feel the growth pattern because the hairs are too close. If that makes sense?
Yes my back is feeling better!! Thanks for asking.
Get better Charlie!!

 

March 5

B2 Mongoose
Feather Super Pro (3)
Kent BK4 silvertip badger
Arko
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and CC Bay Rum

As part of my SE focus, this is my third shave with the Mongoose loaded with the Feather Super Pro blade. Today's shave was two-pass (ATG & XTG) with near BBS results. This razor is heavy compared to a DE, but it feels sure and steady in the hand. The stock Dr. Bomber handle has a nice grip. The angle is relatively easy to find, and the Super Pro blade mows down anything in its path. The blade edge is stiff compared to a DE, and the cutting sounds are subdued. I'm getting a weeper or two with each shave, but this should be minimized as I get re-accustomed to an SE. The Arko made a great lather, as usual, and the CC Bay Rum was the perfect finish.

Have a super weekend!

 

Congrats on 3000!