April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

I also got a few of the mini samplers. I worked my way though a top 10 first.

 

Welcome to the thread! The members on here are very helpful. Looking forward to your future posts!

 

April 11 - Straight Shave 30
J.R. Torrey French Point
PSO, hot shower, Nivia face wash
Jayaruh #40 Synthetic
Reef Point Dragon's Blood Soap & AS
Alum

I haven't been able to take pics and post for the last week or so, had house guests. But I did turn two more people on to the pleasures of wet shaving! One hadn't been able to use anything but an electric for a couple decades due to sensitive skin, and he got a great single pass without irritation. Gave them a starter kit to take home.

I did skip a day since my last post, but have been getting great shaves. Feeling really natural with a straight now. Consistent near BBS. Just the slightest stubble if I rub against the grain with pressure. Only slight feedback from the alum.

 

A no shave day for me today, as I got into the gym before work. My doctor (as well as SWMBO) would like me to drop a pounds, so I am going to try to make this a habit.

I am on a SWMBO imposed NB16, but as long as it is a new wash in terms of $$ and preferably a net loss of razors, she has been OK with me trading safely razors for straights. I just got a picture of one I sent to Glen today. You can see it here. I am definitely looking forward to getting it back and trying it out.

 

Monday Shower/Shave

Shower- Noxzema facial cleaner, Dr. Bronner's All-One Hemp Peppermint bar soap
Pso- Homemade grapefruit PSO
Brush- RazoRock Plissoft
Razor-Gillette Slim on 9
Blade- Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Soap- Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Gondolier
Thayers Witch Hazel
ASB- Nivea Sensitive scented with grapefruit EO

Not the greatest shave tonight, probably because I'm very tired. The thought crossed my mind that if I was using a SR I would have put it down and picked up a DE. I only did 2 passes tonight but I finished with a DFS. Absolutely no irritation tonight and the ice water felt great, I really enjoy the coldness the ice brings to the shave.

I was too tired to use my left hand tonight but the face stretching came naturally. I think I'm starting to get it down. Have a great day folks!


Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

Kerry,
You noted that the 3pass is paying off. Does blade selection influence quality or shave longevity?

Edit: reply was to Kerry, misquote was operator error in Colorado

 

Bunny in Colorado. Used it with Arko and Chinese Schick blades. I need some time to give it a proper write up, didn't want to post a whitewash, but it was a positive experience!

 

I took a detour with the Bunny razor today. I will post a shave report tomorrow, but it was good...

 

Greetings and welcome aboard! How long have you been at it with the Muhle? If you have any questions or issues, we'd love to help.

 

May was a blast last year. I expect nothing less than artful elegant disaster this time around.

 

Glad you are joining us. Looking forward to your posts.

 

And trust me, you may well see it. Here's a slight preview.....in the spirit of true mayhem, which promises nothing more than chaos and the hope of avoiding disaster......there is a chance that the shave might be great, or they might be as bad as they come. Pure chance, randomness with gear is the only determiner. And who determines the chance? Why, the audience of course. Who else? Intrigued yet?

 

What's the worst that could happen?

 

Well two things, really. Number one, my life insurance refuses to pay due to the "stupid idiot" clause. Second, @DDuckyMark has the same issue with his and I then suffer guilt for life for inspiring him to follow me in this noble stupid and uplifting pointless exercise.

 

Chris, Here's what's very strange, I have a wide selection of different blades but tend to reach for the same two brands, Ladas and Personna Lab Blue. I'll try different blades and see what happens. Lab Blue and Ladas both provide me with very smooth shaves. I guess I'm a creature of habit
I'll report back in my SOTD here. Great question.
GO DUBS!!

 

One more... And since it's Memphis at Oracle, it seems like it's going to work out. What a run!

 

You never know.. But it'll all be meaningless if they don't bring home "The Larry"

 

Hi, I moved from cartridges about a year ago. I find the Muhle good but I have not tried any other razors so only have the previous Gillette fusion to base my opinion on. I purchased a blade sampler pack and I have found that my go to blades so far are feather and Gillette 7 o'clock. My favourite soap so far has been arko.
I have started to notice irritation recently and so I believe it is soap choice but wanted to try a 30 day rule to see if it is another variable.

 

Welcome! You'll find the Rule to be the most important and helpful part of improving technique. Focuses are next in line as skills develop and solidify. If I hadn't joined in when this group started I know I wouldn't be using all the razors and systems I am able to use now. And, in this group, it's fun as well! Ok, I have to ask, because it's my "job"......have you tried any Russian blades? And, which 7 o'clock are you using, as that may be a Russian.

 

Very good info! If the irritation you're experiencing is in the form of a burning sensation, that is likely soap or another product in the routine. If the irritation is more of a scraped and sore feeling, it could be related to blade angle and/or pressure. This is a problem that should be easily solved within a month, and I tend to agree with your assessment about soap sensitivity.