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

Hi Chris. No particular reason, other than I want to try another brush in my rotation. The BK4 is not in permanent retirement. He's only taking a break from the action. The little Kent brush whips up a great lather. Because of its smaller size, I often use it as my travel brush. I've been using my Semogue 830 this week. I really want to like it, but it just doesn't generate the lather like my badger brushes.

 

March 2016 Focus--Gillette Tech

March 13-25

Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Ladas/Bolzano
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Various
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block


Feels like forever since I was in here. Life just sometimes decides you have other things to do. Hopefully I will be able to catch up (I think I only have about 20 pages of posts to get through) and can be around a bit more often.

I have still been shaving and still using the Gillette Tech. I used the Ladas blade for a total of 5 shaves including my last reported shave on the 12th. The key to this razor is definitely finding the sweet spot. Once I found it and have been able to consistently replicate it, I have had great shaves. I got 2 BBS shaves out of the Ladas and the others were all near BBS. The single main issue was around the jaw line and Adam's apple. I mastered the jaw line by doing a little more stretching than I usually do, but it really helped with the Tech. The Adam's apple really was more about maintaining the sweet spot so the razor was performing at its best.

I moved on to the Bolzano blade for the next couple shaves including today's. I have used the blade 4 times including today and gotten 4 BBS shaves out of it. The blade is just so sharp and so smooth and just feels like it effortlessly gives a BBS shave in this razor. The blade really is a top notch blade for me!

Over the course of the next week, I will be doing a little travelling and hope to post pictures of my altoids tin travel kit. I was inspired by the one posted I believe by @mrchick so I decided to create my own using an empty tin and some packing foam. It is not nearly as pretty as the one he had but it should work. I will post pictures of it this evening when I get home. I will be using the GSB and seeing how it does now that I have the angle of the razor figured out. I also plan to use a BIC blade I got as part of a sample from tryablade.com to see how well it performs. I seem to recall @NCoxSTL indicating it was a nice sharp blade. Its good to be back, and hopefully I will be here more often for the forseeable future.

 

Welcome back! I look forward to seeing your travel tin.

 

My altoids tin is full of aarko. 1 stick fits great mashed into it.

 

March 25

B2 Mongoose
Feather Super Pro (4)
Semogue 830 boar
Route 66 Lumberjack and Jabonman Eufros mix
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Fine L'Orange Noir

I've been using this set up all week, except that I've changed up my soap/cream choice each day. Today, I used an interesting mix of Route 66 and Jabonman in an attempt use up the last bits of these fantastic soaps. The scent was pleasant, and the performance was great. I've got maybe 3 or 4 days worth of this mix in my container before it's all gone. The Semogue 830 boar brush entered service this week. It makes a nice lather like my boar brushes, but it just takes more effort and more soap or cream. I had one small nick on my chin this morning due to operator error. Otherwise, it was a very enjoyable two-pass shave on this Good Friday at home with my beautiful Bride.

Sorry that I've been scarce around these parts. I hope to do some catching up on the thread. I trust everyone's shaves have been fantastic and the shenanigans (hello Neal! ) have been even better! I'm investing more of my free time each day in my Bible study. I committed last year to read the Bible through chronologically. I didn't make it, but now I have regained my focus, and I'm on a path to finish by early May. At that point, I'll start on another reading plan. Being in God's Word each day makes a huge positive impact on my life, and I would encourage everyone to invest the time and experience it firsthand.

I hope you all have a great Easter weekend!

 

Injector Focus
Back to the Bunny I switched back to the Notso comb today and loaded a fresh blade. I think this is my setting. Wonderful shave today!
SOTD
TOBS Grapefruit
Doug Korn brush
Bunny V3 with Notso comb
Chick blade (1)
Alum
Thayer's Witch Hazel
Florida Water AS
Happy Good Friday!

 

Razor: Gillette Aristocrat 1947
Blade: Feather Hi Stainless Platinum (5)
Brush: WDC-4 Sliver Tip Badger Butterscotch Handle (VIG) 24/49
Soap: Eufros Tierra Humeda
A/S: Fine American Blend

 

MW refunded me the difference in shipping, I thought that was pretty cool. Definitely a brand I will buy more of.

 

Now you're just rubbing it in

 

Welcome aboard! Sounds like you and menthol may not get along too well.

 

Looks right.

 

Welcome aboard! It gets better and better!

 

Straights Focus March 25:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Queen Charlotte Fougere
Frederick's Celebrated Razor
Stirling Unscented PSB
Brut Classic

A very nice two pass for BBS this morning. It will be my last straight shave for a couple of days as I am on the road to NM for my grandmother's funeral. I packed a Gem Bullet Tip for the road. Hope everyone has a good Friday.

 

Has anyone heard from @pvtbanks ? Last seen Jan 25, 2016

 

I predict you'll like the Bic CP blade. I can't take all the credit for the recommendation. @Jasman talked me into trying it.

 

Looks like my stash after my original pancreatitis attack in 2008. That was my morning dosage of everything as I remember.

 

March into Artist Club Blades

March 25

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (5)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Proraso
Post - Cold water, Alum, Nivea

Fifth and final day for the blade today. Not because of anything the blade has or hasn't done, it's just that tomorrow is D-day for the move. I don't plan to shave at all tomorrow and maybe not Sunday. Monday, we'll see. Lots to do and a short time to do it.

The blade gave me another DFS today. Maybe just a bit more problem of tugging but nothing severe. Just kind of seems to be wearing out very slowly. I think, though, I could go a couple more days so it looks like it would make a week like its counterparts from Japan, if just not as pleasantly. If the price is right on these blades I say add them to your stash if you have pain sticks. I wouldn't pick it above any of the Kai's or Feather's for a "first choice" blade, but it serves its purpose.

 

So while traveling I decided I needed an easy transport. @mrchick had a great Altoids tin case that he got off Etsy I believe. I decided since I love Altoids, they are like crack of you haven't tried them, I would give creating my own a chance.

I found some packing foam and an xacto knife and went to work. I made it to fit my tech. This is what I came up with.


I still need to figure out a place for the blades. I am thinking an angled slot that goes down under the razor but for now they just sit on top. Just thought I would pass it along.

 

Friday Shower/Shave

In Shower Prep- Noxzema for face, Old Spice Classic shower gel
Cold Water Shave
Pso-Homemade mint oil
Brush- RazoRock Plissoft
Razor-Gillette Slim on 5
Blade- Astra SP (3)
Soap- Colonel Conk Lime/Kiss my Face mint
Thayers Witch Hazel
ASB- Nivea Sensitive

My first shave with the Colonel Conk, not a fan. It lathered thick in the bowl but 5 seconds on my face and it disappeared. A squirt of Kiss my Face mint saved the shave. I really like the Slim and the Plissoft brush is great. I did 3 passes with a little touch up under my chin for a BBS shave. No Veg tonight because the wife hates it so I went with the Nivea, much more comfortable and a light scent. I'm searching for a new AS now.

I'm still trying to learn to shave with my left hand but it's not going well. I have almost no control with it. I'm going to keep at it though. Have a great day folks!

 

What happens when you go left handed?