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

Hello all
Finally back to normal after work causing a disturbance to my routine. Being in a severely understaffed industry is great for job security but can be madness when things get busy. Anyway I hope all are good, perhaps someone could do a brief synopsis if I've missed much of importance. Tonight begins my blade focus with the persona platinum see you shortly with my findings.

 

You are in for a real treat with the Futur I continue to be amazed by mine. It's safe to say my search for the one is over, although I have limited comparisons I don't believe it possible to get anything better.

 

Excellent post @Drygulch. How do you like his Cherry Blossom?

 

awesome picture, Doug!

 

I need to do a write up on these soaps in the soap forum. They are now in my top three soaps, and knocked out some big brands from my short list. The cherry blossom scent is awesome. Many cherry blossom scented items smell like cough drops or candy. This one is an actual floral scent, with just a hint of sweetness. You can still smell the soap though, its not totally overpowering, and by the time I do my rinse, alum, and witch hazel, it doesn't contrast with any aftershave. Lathers really well, and isn't too tricky to get the water level dialed in. I have used with my boar, badger, and synthetic brushes. All of them work great. Good post shave feel. Its also locally made to me. I met the owner a few weeks ago. He does this full time, and the soap is his own formulation. He has updated it for performance, and is all in on the product. My only fear is that as big as the containers are, it will take me forever to use the two I have up and need more.

 

Thank you very much @Drygulch.

 

Razor: Merkur Futur
Blade: persona platinum
Brush: Omega 81230
Soap: Bath house Cuban cedar and lime
Post: alum, witch hazel and Fine platinum

Really impressed with the persona platinum. I didn't expect much based on appearance, I thought they looked rather cheap but appearance has no bearing whatsoever on blades. I would say they seem as sharp as the feather blades but imo a little smoother. If this blade can last 3 head shaves it will take top spot out of the three brands I've tried so far. Finally got the bath house soap working, I've discovered it absolutely loves water, lots of water. Finished with a perfect BBS with no sign of irritation at all. I've started skin stretching for atg from my ear to the top of my head and it works a treat. I think I am going to enjoy my blade focus its the first time I'm experiencing real variety since starting traditional shaving. It's nice to be back and smooth shaven once again.

 

Tom, I've wanted this razor for a long time. I can't wait to shave with it. It's great that you have found your razor! Do you have a regular setting #?
Kerry

 

Last chance for the BBS-1, it is on it's second day with a Super Iridium blade.

No irritation but just DFS. If I did not make the jump to the dark side I would consider keeping this razor. Now that I prefer to use straights and use them 70% of the time I need to find a good home for this razor. It is well made and a looker.

Irritation A- Closeness B+ Smoothness A Keenness B

Definitely staying:
Genco Easy Aces SR, hard to let go of cool looking, great shaving piece of vintage American steel just because it is smaller than I like. It is also my only vintage American SR.

Leaning toward staying:
Wade and Butcher will stay in the SR stable until a much nicer specimen can be sourced.

Leaning toward releasing:
Jerry Stark 5/8 SR. Looks great, shaves great just to small a blade. I would prefer to sell this and trade up for a larger blade

Will be released:
Sight unseen Whipped Dog SR. This shaves great but I want to PIF it to someone who wants to get started with SR.
Merkur Vision - despite major coolness she can't compete with an aggressive Futur.
BBS-1 - Give my move to the dark side it is just not aggressive enough to remain in my DE stable.

 

3/16/16

Gillette Birth Quarter Super Speed (Y3)
Gillette Platinum Plus (1)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Chiseled Face Sherlock
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Alum
Pinaud Clubman Original



Morning shave and an evening post. Had my first shave today with the Gillette Platinum Plus in my Birth Quarter Super Speed, and used alum for the first time ever. I used it during the shave to get a little more grip on my cheek and neck to flatten my skin a bit more. During the touch up I used it to try to better deal with my trouble spots. I came much closer to a BBS today than yesterday. BBS everywhere except for one spot in the center of my neck and a small area around the tendon on the right side of my neck. But the alum and the Clubman made me pay for it. Borderline irritation in the sense that my neck felt warm and uncomfortable a good part of the day. I think I will lighten up the chase tomorrow and just do the best I can without digging in trying to achieve the BBS.

I hope everyone had a nice Wednesday.

 

March into Artist Club Blades

March 16

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (2)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cole water, Alum, Nivea, The Veg

Day two on the Feather Pro and not much to report, mostly due to a light growth and only two quick passes needed. I shaved late on Monday, for me anyway so a light beard to work on today. Made it nice to get out of the door a bit quicker and it did make me pay attention as I didn't want to make a bloody mistake on such an easy day. I didn't, so there's the good news. Sorry for being a bit boring but what can you do when it all works together eh?

 

Take an eight dollar straight and a vintage Barber hone, add a little information and instruction, and you too can shave like it's 1890. Come to the Dark Side!


The Shaving Shop / Ginger's Garden / Acqua di Florida
Vulfix 660S Medium Super Badger & Suribachi bowl
Manhattan Cutlery Co. 6/8+ Near Wedge Hollow Point
Alum block / Murry & Lanmann Florida Water Cologne

Our very own @soapbuddy crafted this fine tallow product. Thick, slick, cushony, and a bullseye match for the cologne. Loaded up for a heap of lather. Mixed it up in a textured ceramic spice grinding dish that works like it was made for the job. Suribachi bowls are available from Asian kitchen suppliers for not much more than six bucks. Using a wedge is quite different from hollow ground blades - very little acoustics but for the wiping away of soap and whiskers. No nicks, no weepers, smooth alum report. It's already spring in the South Coast and Florida water is good stuff.

 

March Madness - Day Two
16 March 2016



Yup.
​

Near BBS. Pretty much the same as yesterday, two tiny weepers, different locations. Smooth though. Canned goo performs great, but I like Route 66, TSD and Arko too much to ever go back after this...but it turned out great. Since I didn't have any Barbasol AS, I just went with Veg. Techniques Trump Tools. Oh yeah, other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a terrific Thursday!
​

 

Eight bucks? Wow, what a deal. You are motivating me to try and hone something myself. Nice setup!

 

Wednesday Shave

Hot water
Pso-Homemade mint oil
Razor-Gillette Flair Tip SS
Blade- Rapira Platinum Lux (4) seconds
Brush- none needed
Soap- Eli's Extracts Oceania
Thayers Witch Hazel
ASB- Pinaud "Veg"

A couple new items were tried out tonight for excellent results. I received 3 jars of creams from Eli's Extracts from the February newbie giveaway even though they only promised 2! I tried the Oceania tonight; eucalyptus, lemon and lime scent. I wasn't sure whether to shave with it or eat it, it smells wonderful. This was my first go with a lather-less cream but it preformed beautifully. I used a dime sized dollop and rubbed it on my hands then face. 3 passes and I chased the baby just a bit but very little irritation, I'm BBS everywhere. I also tried the veg for the first time tonight. I like it a lot, very cooling and I like the scent. My wife will be the judge if I've been chosen.

For my focus I worked on face stretching. I firmly believe it is responsible for my quality shaves the past 2 days. It allows me to get so close with very little irritation. Have a great evening folks!

 

One more day, then this Baby goes back to the Kansas Prairie. I submit application for affiliated status with the BOPS.

The CJB is pretty much like a straight.

Which isn't much harder than a Schick G, which isn't any harder than a Cadet OC, which isn't much harder than a FB on 7, which isn't much harder than an 89 type head, or a Slim on 3. Techs are hard, but only in that they require a very precise angle of attack to remain efficient, but they give a great shave when applied correctly.

Are straights dangerous? Yes. Seriously dangerous. I have a tiny scar in the middle of my chin from learning straights. Cool, huh?

Are they manageable? Yes.

Too risky in 2016, given all the great safety razors? Yes and no.

Fun? Oh yeah. It's a "zone" activity.

When skills and curiosity exceed risk and fear, I suggest trying a straight.

Don't do it as a brand newbie. Learn the other stuff, like shave in the dark master it, first.

I actually got cut more with a Cadet and a Schick G than with a straight. Shaving technique and application are somewhat universal after a certain experience waypoint.

Here's all I know, in one post.


All razors are the same.

Yes. Indeed. Blade bevel floating on lather shearing hair. I used to overthink razors. Badly.

Here's how I use one:

Low angle, correct pressure. Pressure came to me through experience. All razors differ a little here.

Good lather. Wet, dense. Slick. Temp is largely about comfort, I like cold.

Practice. Commit. This it how it works for me. Strive to learn the intricacies of the tool before me before judging it.

Precise strokes. My face deserves my best work, every day.

Angles are everything. Pretty much everything.

Skin stretching helps. A ton.

Don't let a cut break my confidence. It will heal.

Just pick it up and shave. It all happens again tomorrow.

 

This is an example of great writing, and why TSD is such a joy to read. Well said Chris!

 

Alls I have to say is this - and you have to keep the volume UP

 

I tend to stick at 3.5 but if my blade is lacking abit I will push it as high as 5 for touch ups. It's actually very forgiving. I know ymmv but 3.5 seems to be the most popular from what I've read.

 

Thanks, Tom! Now I have a good starting point.
Kerry