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

How do you determine aggressiveness?

 

WTG & XTG @5, ATG @4 using a new Feather.
My straight focus is going very well, but I want to be as BBS as I can do.
The Canoe is a gift from my Lady Friend who suggested she may stop by for a visit.

 

Aggressive razors to me are the ones that feel most likely to bite me. Its very different then an efficient razor that feels very mild and still removes massive amounts of hair. The G was the first razor I got a BBS out of and the Old type has never felt like I was going to get bit or burnt. My shavette for instance, is much more aggressive then my straights. My hollow ground straight is much more aggressive then my 1/4 hollow.

 

Mild razors that also don't remove much hair are vintage techs. I really don't like those. but a superspeed is both mild and efficient. Again its one of those YMMV things.

 

March 11, 2016

The month of March with my two Schick E razors.

Left early Friday morning on a road trip with MrsF from Seattle to Oregon. Just a late-night, quick note on this morning's getaway shave.

Hot Shower
Razor: Schick E (Canada)
Blade: Schick (China) (2)
Soap: Proraso Green
Brush: Omega 48
TSD Witch Hazel
Proraso Green



Two-pass shave - XTG, ATG

With @RyX calling me out on the Rubberset, I realized It was time to shake up the kit a bit. With spring in the air I went back to my first brush and Proraso Green. Took me right back to the time right after my first-ever 30-day rule. I had 'graduated' and was able to mix up my tools. My choice was the Proraso.

Reminded me how easy this soap is to lather. Just a few swirls on the brush, then onto my face and - boom - lather for everyone. The great shave reminded me how far my shave technique has come.

Kudos to the 30-day Grand Poobah @Bama Samurai and all the 30-day diehards for bringing me through! Anybody just starting out needs to listen to these guys - even if you have to put up with their shenanigans!

Cheers!
RT

 

5+4=9, so alright.

Carry on.

 

Should I go back to the beginning and break out my gen 1 synthetic "Peerless" brush and Williams?

 

Really it should be 5+5+4=14. Two passes set on 5.

 

Proraso Green should be mandatory. Thanks for your kind words! I guess you've been around for almost a year! It was so cool that you posted your entire learning experience in a serial fashion. Thanks for sharing it all!

Have a great weekend with your wife!

 

(sigh)

 

Be sure to use Derby and a Tech if you do. Get it in, make it happen!

 

I don't have a tech anymore. I think my first razor and blade combo was the Super Speed with a Personna Med Blue. That lasted 2 shaves before I started using my Fat Boy almost all the time. Then the RAD hit me and I bounced around a month. Thats when I found this thread and started slowing down.

The razors I have that are shavable are:

DE:
Gillette Super Speed
Gillette Fat Boy
Gillette Milady Decollete (short handled Old Type)
Gillette Stirling (hardly any blade bend feels dangerous *see @NCoxSTL's Rapira shave*)
Evahs
Russian 3 piece ''Tech'' plastic handle (the blade gap makes train tunnels look small)

SE:
Schick type B
Schick type G
Gem MMBT
Gem Featherweight
'35 Rolls Razor

Straights:
Unmarked WD 6/8 1/4 hollow
Our Leader full hollow 5/8
Gelle Freres Fabricants faux frameback 6/8
Parker style ebay shavette
CJB painstick (incoming)

I have a few disposables still hanging around in a cabinet somewhere and I have one fusion Cartridge too. Which one of these would be considered most to be a beginners razor besides the Super Speed?

 

03/12/2016
Gillette New LC
Feather (2)
BSB-2
Mystic Water Lavender Shave Stick
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Capri
Whipped Shea Butter

​

Even though the shave this morning was pretty good, it was also the worst shave of the month. I ended up with a near BBS shave but had several weepers and one small nick. The issues were certainly operator error. I decided to use the MW Lavender scent soap in hopes that it would help defunk this brush. The BSB2 whipped up the MW soap fairly easily. It will get easier as I dial in the brush. Finished with a splash of F&C Capri. I hope everyone has a fantastic Saturday.

 

C.O.Bigelow / Omega 248 / OS GrandTurk
Gillette 195 & Feather Hi-Stainless
Alum block / Canoe AS / Canoe EDT

Skipped the Shave Secret PS oil and didn't notice the difference. Light menthol of the cream surprises me as I don't use it often. Stepped away from my Focus on Straights to enjoy as close to BBS as I ever get. Not Dolphin smooth, but DFS++! Only nicked myself once on the edge of my chin. Had to pull out the styptic but it closed easily. That was the FatBoy paying me back for ignoring it for a few days. Enjoying the Clubman like barber shop scent of Canoe. Back to straight tomorrow.

 

Hey @RyX you said you didn't notice a difference by not using Shave Secret but you nicked yourself...maybe that's the difference.

 

March 12

B2 Mongoose
Feather Super Pro (2)
Kent BK4 silvertip badger
Route 66 Lumberjack
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and CC Bay Rum

My shaves this week have been two passes, and I focused on near BBS results with no weepers. I changed the blade after seven days, but I could have used it a few more times judging by its performance. The cream of choice this week has been XPEC unscented, but I reached for the Route 66 today. I also went for three passes and touch ups. I finished with CC Bay Rum all this week - fantastic.

I'm sorry to be so sporadic with my daily posts recently, although I have tried to keep up with the conversation. I've been inconsistent with my daily Bible study over the last few months, and I have re-committed some time for this each day. Unfortunately, that means less time for TSD. I hope you all have a fantastic Saturday. My beautiful Bride and I have tickets to see Cabaret today.

 

Injector Focus
Today I switched to MWF and cannot figure out why anybody likes it. I have read the threads on how to lather it and can get a nice lather. My problem is with the performance, it just isn't very slick. I am spoiled by Route 66 and shouldn't use MWF after weeks of Route 66. Rant over and YMMV, etc
BTW, I got another great shave with the PAL on H.
SOTD
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Rubberset 400
PAL Adjustable
Chick blade (4)
Alum
Thayer's Witch Hazel
Pitrulon Pure AS
Have a great weekend!

 

March 2016 Focus--Gillette Tech

March 12

Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Ladas
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Stirling Gatlinburg
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block, Fine American Barbershop

First shave this morning with the Ladas blade in the Tech. Had plenty of time so a nice slow shave with no distractions. Both passes went great. Touch up was nice and easy. Will do three full passes tomorrow but first wanted to make sure irritation would not be a problem with the new blade. Really heard the razor singing with this blade. Alum was as quiet as a mouse. Ended at a DFS+ or near BBS shave. The areas around my Adam's apple and one area under my jaw line were noticeable with the back of the hand test so can't call it BBS. But still a great shave! Hope everyone has a great weekend!