April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

Tabac, The Fat, and Proraso are all top performers for me. I LOVE the red!

 

Nice. Two sticks is 150 shaves worth or so.

 

I think they are on Amazon for 12 sticks for $12 or $13. Its stupidly cheap. I have 2 sticks and I've been out of work since Oct.

 

I've never used the creams. I'll be looking for reviews!

 

I have a reaction to the Proraso Red so I stuck it in the Box Tour box last rotation. It makes a richer lather then the White or Green for me. I really like MWF and the Tabac stick I have. I may have to get full size of them both but Route 66 is really great. Its worth trying a sample puck or 3 worth. Its as slick or slicker then MWF or Tabac and the scents are amazing. I think it lathers as easily as Arko but with more skin care, better scent, and much more slickness. I like Arko but it leaves me feeling a little dry. It may lather mounds but its not the slickest soap out there and I'm not fond of it for straight shaves.

Who am I kidding I still use and like Williams. I can lather anything into a usable lather. I've done Lava bar soap just to see if I could.

 

I pressed my stick into a bowl and I swear it's reproducing in there. It was my first soap and I'll always have some around

 

If you can lather Williams into anything usable I bow to your technique. The only thing I can get Williams to do is repel mosquitos, though it is fun to get it to as near a lather as I can then watch it dissipate in 2.7 seconds. Lava? You, sir, treat soaps like I treat blades! Hat's off!!

 

Arko is the soap of choice for SWMBO as well. She has tried a couple of others but really likes how Arko lathers. She finished up a puck of Arko I had in an Old Spice Mug then asked for more. I smashed a stick into it and resigned myself to have lost the Old Spice mug along with my Omega Pro 48 to her. Not complaining, though, because since she's taken to using them along with her 1965 Lady Gillette, she sees my acquisitions and commitment to traditional shaving as a natural thing. Losing a mug and a brush for that isn't a bad trade off!

 

I have the same issue with my puck of MWF. I'll shave and invite a few gorillas over to shave go into the bathroom once they are done and it's like the damn thing hasn't been touched. Sarcasm obviously about the gorillas but I think my son will be using my same puck of MWF when I die as it will more then likely only be half gone by then.

 

Here is the thread in case you forgot about it or missed it.

 

I can attest to the truth that the Fat does eventually wear down. I have four small chunks of my last puck of it in a plastic bag awaiting the remains of my Tabac puck, which seems to be the only soap that lasts longer! I plan to mix the last of the Tabac with the last of the Fat. I've read that's one fine frankensoap! I do have a brand new puck of the Fat sitting, still wrapped, in its porcelain dish. Guess which soap I'm going to use on May 1? Oh wait, that starts MAYhem. Maybe not.

 

I definitely agree with the comment that you are a witch! Only dark magic can explain the ability to get that kind of lather out of Williams. Either dark magic or you, sir, are a Sith Lord.

 

Why just one or the other? Maybe I'm a Sith who learned Dark Magic?

 

Point taken. Sorry, I'm doing some light reading in between posts here. I didn't think that one through. Far be it from me to underestimate your dark and mysterious powers.

 

After all the talk I couldn't help myself.

Sam Seong razor
Dorco Barber's Blade(1)
MWF
WD Synthetic
Pinaud Bay Rum

I couldn't help myself. I had to try it out at least once before I laid it down to finish up my CJB blade focus. I also had MWF on the brain since I haven't used it in awhile and we've been talking about it.

The WD lathered up enough for my normal 2.5 passes plus some in about 15 sec worth of load. My container for this sample is little, less than 2 inch across, so I don't know how it worked but it did. I keep my MWF moist like I do my Williams and it makes it cake to lather.

First pass with the SS and DBB and it was. . . Not bad at all. Very smooth but not scary sharp. I finished the pass with maybe an 80% reduction. My 2nd pass S/N is mostly ATG so this is where it fails or shines. And it shines! Nice smooth pass no catching, no pulling, no blood. Now why can't Dorco do this with a DE blade? One more half pass on the neck with some slide (scything) and again comfort good reduction and, no blood.

One thing I have to stick in is that the wider "blade" of the Sam S. made it harder to get right under the nose. since part of my las half pass is a minor fool's pass to get those last few hairs I wasn't bothered by it. It really isn't that much more difficult then a 6/8 or a 7/8 straight to use.

The MWF was slightly dryer then I like which was my fault.

I'm not a fan of Bay Rum at all. I really dislike Chai spices and, to me, thats what Bay Rum smells like. I kept this because SWMBO loves it on me so I suffer for her every now and then. I figured that since I was up this late it couldn't hurt to get some extra brownie points when I slide into bed and probably wake her up. I wasn't completely healed from the last bad shave I had. The AS lit my face up but the water rinse showed no Chlorine burn. I didn't feel any pain until I rubbed in the Bay Rum. I'm blaming the last shae since the Dorco didn't feel that sharp and felt so very smooth.

I ended with a high grade DFS for feel but some burning after the splash of AS. Not bad for a Dorco.

 

April 7, 2016

I am down to less than 1/4 tub of the TOBS Natural...and I can't seem to get beyond that...even with daily use (and a heavy finger). I have several theories: either this is all my imagination, the soap regenerates on its own during the night, elves are at work and refill my container (again, at night), or this experience is similar to the saying, "a watched kettle never boils".

 

Straights Focus April 7:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
AOS Ocean Kelp SC
Henry Sears and Son Queen 3/4
Stirling Unscented PSB
Gillette Cool Wave AS

I managed to get a small nick on my chin this morning, which is the first blood in a little while. A cold water rinse took care of it. Out side of that, I got a DFS level of closeness on one pass and a little clean up. Now, I am off to work. Have a great day!

 

04/07/2016
Cobra Classic
Feather Pro (2)
WDC-8 with Druida Manchurian
Tiki Cabernet Neroli
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Capri
Whipped Shea Butter

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Today's shave was one of my best ever with the Cobra. I felt at ease with the handle even without using alum. This confidence allowed me to really enjoy the shave and push for results. I went with a 3 pass shave, ATG, XTG and ATG. I would have caught the baby but for one small spot on the bottom right side of my neck. More importantly, no nicks, weepers or irritation. Finished off with a splash of F&C Capri. I hope everyone has a fantastic Thursday.

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Razor: Gillette Tech 1939-45
Blade: Dorco ST 301 Platinum SK (5)
Brush: Vie Long Cachurro Horse hair
Soap: Route 66 A Perfect Gent
A/S: Fine L'Orange Noir
Bowl: Fendrihan

After the snow yesterday we are treated to rain today. Another excellent shave today. The Route 66 The Perfect Gent is a clean, masculine fragrance with citrus notes of yuzu, bergamot and lemon; mid notes of peppercorn, ginger, jasmine and a hint of peppermint. Anchored by essential oils of cedar, vetiver, labdanum, frankincense and patchouli.
Handcrafted traditional shaving soap formulated for a long lasting, slick lather, protective cushion and glide, and soothing post shave conditioning.
Enjoy The Masters.

 

Glad to see someone else had that reaction to the Dorco......where you take a few strokes, maybe finish a pass.....and then check to make sure somebody didn't slip a Kai in there.