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

Finding razors in the wild is FUN! Restoring them to usefulness keeps me away from casinos and bingo halls. Shaving with them is lagniappe

 

I got in a Tabac shaving stick today from the postman so I took a one day detail from my use crap up focus to try it.

CJB Painstick
Kai Mild blade
WD Synthetic
Tabac Shaving Stick
Tabac AS

As soon as I opened my mailbox I smelled a lovely smell. I got it inside unwrapped it and was amazed at how good it smelled. So I decided that I needed a shave. I gave this stick the Arko treatment. I wet my face and rubbed it in until each hair had a tiny ball of soap hanging off of it. I then dipped my WD brush in hot water shook it out and started whipping up a good face lather. I think this stuff is like Super Arko. Right away I had massive amounts of rich slick lather with a smell that can only be described as amazingly manly. I did one pass N/S with some Scything strokes all over. I relathered and did a S/N pass also with some scything. I then did some touchups on my neck towards the center strokes and ended with a burn free near BBS. I could touch up the few places on my neck that made me miss BBS but I am happy with a DFS on my neck for a daily shave. I finished it up with Tabac aftershave I got in from Garry's sample shop and now I'm feeling good.

Since today is the day let me share some Saint Patrick's day images with you.



Both old and new.

 

I forgot to post the shave picture.

 

I absolutely love tabac the scent is possibly my favourite and the lather is easy and plentiful. How is the A/S? I'm seriously considering it but I'm slightly worried it will be to strong as my wife isn't overly keen

 

Razor: Merkur Futur
Blade: Personna platinum
Brush: Omega 81230
Soap: Tabac
Post: Alum, Witch hazel and Fine L'orange.
Second run on the Personna platinum blade it was still smooth but reduction has suffered somewhat. I would say I'm DFS but very close to BBS. I hope to find a blade that will deliver 3 head shaves with a fighting chance of BBS and at the moment the feather has come closest. The Personna was superb on its first run so I'm disappointed it gave up so quick. I still have many brands to try so there is hope yet. Enjoy paddy's day all.

 

Great pic by the way @Douglas Carey, makes me glad I'm back.

 

Thank you for your kind words.

 

Injector Focus
Heading home

 

How good it feels to head home. Unless of course it's returning from a family holiday.

 

I didn't think it was as strong as the soap. It lasts a few hours on my skin but its not kick in the face strong. I think the scent is lighter and slightly sweeter then the soap.

 

It's been a long week and I'm looking forward to seeing my wife. It won't be until late tonight but will be nice.

 

I know how it feels. it's becoming all to common for me I have to leave again Sunday.

 

Sounds great thanks.

 

I got a sampler pack from eBay. The seller was Garry's Sample Shop. He sells all his samples by themselves too but the free shipping and reduced prices of his eBay deals make it worth it on my side of the pond. I'm not sure how much his international shipping is.

 

I leave again tomorrow, but she is going with me this time

 

Thanks for the link his vintage razor trial kit is a great idea. I think for the price I will just take the plunge and buy a full bottle. If the wife dislikes it I can wear it for work.

 

On the chopping block today is my Mongoose, I allowed myself to be influenced by the all the hype that surrounded this razor when it first came out. It was to mild for me and I never could bet a BBS shave with it, so it went to the holding cell and now it is out for it's last chance.

I loaded it with a Feather Pro and reminded it that it had to at least meet the same level of shave as my Cobra Classic and King Cobra.

It seemed to be preforming better than I remembered. It is a mild razor and I was surprised to get 3 weepers on my ATG pass. Alum test gave revealed some stinging and the faceturbating was a big disappointment, on the border of SAS and DFS. This razor is on it's way out.

Irritation B+ Closeness C+ Smoothness B+ 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.
Mongoose

Sorry today is no pic Friday. TGIF

 

March 17 - Straight Shave 18
Wade & Butcher French Point
PSO, hot shower
Jayaruh #40 Synthetic
Chiseled FaceSherlock Soap & AS
Alum, Nivea balm

Great shave today, getting closer to BBS! Really like this razor.

 

Shamrocks blooming in my back yard!

ShaveSecret & StoneCottage Hesperide
Vulfix 660S, Torrey 5/8, Lilac Vegetal

If I haven't used this combo of soft & hardware before, I will again. Somewhere between the hot towel and the splash of the Veg it all worked for a DFS. No Luck O' the Irish need. I credit making the choice of my 30 day Focus. Thanks to @Bama Samurai for the program!

 

It's been a long time since my last post, but I've still only been using my 1912 ER. most wonderful shaves I've ever had. As bbs as I want as long as I use lather for touch ups and no irritation except on my back, where I know I'm pushing for the baby. I absolutely endorse this razor for each and every single person to own no questions asked. I'm serious. I'll never go back to DE. I'm at 5 shaves on my current blade. The only challenge is edging my mustache but I think I've started to get that down too. There's nothing I can't do with this razor it's going to be my permanent go-to