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

Kerry, thanks for remembering and prompting me to reach out to him. He's a very nice young man, and I will always have much respect for him for serving in the military.

 

Razor: Gillette Executive Gold Adjustable Fat Boy (F1) 1960
Blade: Astra Platinum (2)
Brush: WDC-6 Brass Handle Silvertip Badger
Soap: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle
A/S: Myrsol Blue

Excellent BBS today. The combination of this brush, an amazing soap, accompanied by an outstanding A/S made my day.

 

Looking good @Rufus T.

 

March 29 - Straight Shave 28
J.R. Torrey French Point
PSO, hot shower, Nivia face wash
Jayaruh #40 Synthetic
Route 66 Bourbon Jungle soap
Alum, Nivia Balm

Another great shave this morning with the J.R. Torrey, great razor! I just love the Rt66 Bourbon Jungle, looking forward to the balm. If it's anywhere close to as good as the soap, it'll be a sure win. I did lightly nick my earlobe, didn't even really bleed much, but hit it with the Alum anyhow. Overall a DFS.

I think I finally got my throat area figured out, on the south-north passes I need a little bit of a sickle motion. Just gotta be a little more careful not to move the blade sideways and Sweeney Todd myself. Now if I can perfect my jawline, I think I can get close to BBS regularly.

Enjoy your evening!

 

Then feel free to send some of those rejects off the pile my way!

Just looking to help a buddy clear clutter!

 

Well brother, as I've offered to others...any of that excess razor stuff that won't fit around your new digs will fit most comfortably at mine. Happy to help keep the peace. PM for address, I'll pay shipping.

I'm just that kind of guy!

 

Your kindness and generosity warms my heart. The sacrifices some are willing to make to help out their fellow shavers has inspired me to also donate space in my closet.

 

Wow, such generosity

 

there's something about this place that just brings out the best in ourselves!

 

I think I'll be ok but I do appreciate the offer. So generous. Oh, and part of that "razor stuff" still includes a certain Mongoose.

 

Wow!! Ya see? Whadid I tell ya about the character of the guys on this Forum? Straight up guys. I almost forgot about that one!

 

March 29, 2016

March focus on two Schick E type razors: a Canadian E and a US E2, while also trying out different blades with each.

Hot Shower
Razor: Schick Type E2 and Canadian Schick E
Blade: NOS Schick Platinum (Holland) (4)
Soap: Nancy Boy Signature
Brush: Rooney 3/3 "Super" Silvertip
TSD Witch Hazel
Myrsol Blue



Two-day growth. Two-pass shave - XTG, ATG
Both razors have been providing great shaves for me this month. So hard, that I’m having difficulty discerning a great deal of difference between them.

So today I decided to do a same-shave face off with them - a different razor on opposite face sides during the same shave! I used a “Dog-danglies Dutch” blade in each with this being the 4th shave on each blade.

Wow! Maybe it was the competition that caused me to really focus on technique, but I think I got the best shave of the month today - and - it was similar quality on both sides. Smooth as your baby and almost clean on my trouble spots including my chin.

Could it be that the razors are that similar? Or am I just too much of a Newbie and incapable of discerning the finer attributes.

Cheers!
RT

 

Tuesday Shower/Shave



In Shower Prep- Noxzema for face, Old Spice Classic shower gel
Pso-Homemade mint oil
Brush- RazoRock Plissoft
Razor-Gillette Slim on 6
Blade- Derby (2)
Soap- VDH Luxury
Thayers Witch Hazel
AS- Old Spice Classic

My second go with the Derby, it was better than the first but not my favorite. I don't know if it was my soap, technique or the fact I only had one days growth but I'm not near as irritated as yesterday. I'm not going to give up on this blade but I'm giving it a break until my technique improves. I did end up with a DFS do it could have been worse.

Skin stretching definitely allows for a closer shave. I didn't cut myself with my left hand so that was good. Have a great day folks!

 

Today's shave was a shave test for the razor I am giving away in The Dark Side PIF, along with a strop. The razor is marked "Sensation" on one side of the tang, and "Ross W. Black, Pittsburgh, PA" on the other. 5/8 muted square tip. I honed it on Naniwia 1, 3, and 5k stones, a Colorado Slate, then used a progression of pastes on it. Of the three razors I have taken from bevel set to done, this is the only one that treetopped hairs. It was fairly smooth too. I did three passes with it, to really feel the edge. Alum was quiet, except for a small cut where I dug in the tip. (Pro tip: Don't do that.) DFS with minor irritation. Going to go back to my finisher stone and give it another test shave on Friday.

 

Thanks Doug! I am about to post 89!

 

Day 89 - 90 Day Intro to SR
29 March 2016



Frederick Reynolds 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
Kroger Arctic Blue (AV clone)
​

89 Days in a row of straight shaves. It really went by quickly. The plan is to ponder my thoughts on the process of straight shaves, and wrap up a three month focus tomorrow. Today was a breeze! Thanks @Drygulch @Keithmax @entropy1049 @HolyRollah for all the things you guys have posted that have been of benefit to me, thanks to @lindyhopper66 for starting a straight thread way back. Without all these things, and everything else I've read on TSD, straight razor would not have been the great experience that it was! Been super busy since the last blizzard, plan on spending Arko April doing the basic fundamentals with DE and helping out newer guys with their gear, but I will be back on straights in May. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have wonderful Wednesday!
​

 

Wow! My guess is that they are so similar that your technique works out on either one all the same! Nice work.

 

You are right on schedule, BBS is coming soon!

 

Two days left in March - so here comes April. Right on time as I have found all of my gear after the move and am ready to return to full speed ahead on technique and shenanigans.

I do believe April is, and should be, ARKO APRIL!!!! Yes, I'll be spending the month using that old reliable, heavy on the lemony scent but producing a mountain of lather at a minimal cost, gift from the Turkish gods. And, as one of the chosen, I'll be using the Veg for the entire month as well. Arko and Veg.....the combination of true men!!!

For those who want to join in on Arko April I'll take all the company I can get. If you're man enough to love the Veg chosen by the Veg as well, the more the merrier!

As for the rest of my setup it's going to be an all Russian month. Details coming on April 1.

 

Arko - yes!
The Veg - regrettably, not chosen. Actually, was summarily rejected.

Hmmm...perhaps Florida Water?