April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

Add me to those that are praying for your quick recovery. A left handed focus might be a good thing

 

You convinced me. My Cavendish sample is up for tomorrow.

 

Soap Focus.
This soap is still my favorite. I'm going to try my Cavendish sample tomorrow.
Great shave with the Type F. It's not just a pretty razor
Route 66 Sweeney Todd soap
Rubberset 400 brush
Schick Type F
Chick blade (1)
Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Ogallala Bay Rum
Have fun!

 

Mine is for science. The ultimate in aggressive razors to test what I have heard "Duller blades do well in more aggressive razors". If I can get a decent shave out of these bad boys then I will say that it is a true statement. If not then its busted. I'll do an ultra sharp edition with a tech and a fatboy turned to 1 later this year to test the opposite, "milder razors really shine with a very sharp blade".

 

Instead of bowing out of the focus all together just alter it to fit your new needs. Left handed shaves with a DE safety razor. @Bama Samurai did it last year when he hurt his hand. That way you get to participate and let your right hand and arm heal.

 

CJB
Feather Pro(4)
Williams Mug
Semogue 1438
Pinaud Vanilla

I had the Semogue in the bathroom this morning and being on my 5th day at work I was too lazy to change it out. The route 66 doesn't lather as well with the pig because it hogs more so I decided to use some of my dark magic sith powers and lather up some Williams. I had a thick rich lather that I think may have beat out Arko for slickness. I loaded up for maybe 15 sec and had a full 2 passes plus enough on the brush for another pass. It was stable and didn't dissappear at all.

I set the painstick down and expected bad things to happen with it using Williams. What I got instead was a high grade DFS in 2 passes with no irritation or AS burn. Go me.

 

I'm not sure if I stand in awe or terror?! Williams....beating out Arko for slickness??? Williams stable and not dissipating?!?!?! You, sir are toying with forces in the universe that may best be left alone!

 

I'll toss my opinion in and say I have found that true to a point. Now, also remember the tenant of TTT....technique trumps tools unless the tools are defective. So, if the blades are too far out there, technique, razor choice, all of that goes out the window. For proof of that see my attempt with the Tiger. Or the Flying Eagle. Those two blades are just not usable, as far as I could determine.

 

Williams always dissipates for me. But some people can somehow make it work. Not sure what I do wrong. I've thrown out two pucks in the past year due to the staying power of zero.

 

I'd say you're doing everything right. Throwing it out is the best way I've found to work with it!

 

I''ve never tried a Flying Eagle, but I definitely agree about the Tiger.

What's always astounded me about that blade is just how bad it is. I keep thinking that there had to have been something that I'm missing like some magic Soviet or African razor or perhaps some knowledge about the target (African) market and what preparation they do before using the blade. The odd thing is that the manufacturer seems to have a decent parentage (it's what was left over after P&G bought Astra).

For those who have never tried to shave with a Tiger-3H, I suspect that the closest experience would be trying to shave with a Gem SE loaded with a box cutter blade (though I admit I've never done that).

 

Arko April in Russia!

April 12



Razor - Edwin Jagger DE89l
Blade - (1)
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Arko
Post - Cold water rinse, Alum, The Veg

I had a request/suggestion to try and review the Dorco ST301 from @Douglas Carey who uses and likes the blade. Well, who am I to say no, especially since I have never used the blade. I've had it in my stash for a long time, alongside the 300 and the Prime but only used the Prime. I was underwhelmed with that one.

Recently, of course, I was challenged by @Keithmax to load up a Dorco AC blade in my Feather SS and see how much blood ran. To everyone's shock and surprise, the answer was not only no blood but a pretty nice shave. Given that the Dorco name (aside from sounding, well, dorky) is usually looked down upon as inferior blades I obviously have mixed emotions. I'll use the AC blades. I probably won't load another Prime unless it's for a special moment of insanity month (MAYhem, for instance).

So, given that the 301 has an admirer and I have a mixed view of the brand, it's three days on the 301 to find out what it's all about and give my opinion. I changed the Russian setup a bit for the trial, changing to the EJ DE89l (my usual razor for official trials) and I skipped over the Vie-Long 12705 in my brush rotation to make sure I had a brush I can consistently get the best lather from. I used the Wolf Whiskers instead.

Lather whipped and awesome and the first pass was, for lack of a better description.......meh. Now, the reason I say that is because it was a bit rougher than I tend to prefer, but not so rough that it was a real turn off. Audible feedback was awesome, but I like to hear the blade working. Just the feel was not my first choice. The result of the pass, though, was pretty darn good. Hmmmmm. Second pass, XTG and still a bit rough but better, still great audible and again, the result was pretty good. Neck is the area needing the most work but it's a trial so a full three passes is called for. Now, I did notice a bit of what I call "platinum pink" showing on my neck. Most platinum blades tend to create a bit of irritation for me, some worse than others. The Rapira PL is the best, along with the Sharp Star, and the St. Petersburg platinums tend to be the worst. Interesting to see where this goes. Went full ATG on the third pass with a very aggressive and steep slide on the neck. Felt smoother overall and the redness on my neck seemed to stay the same. The finish was, well, DFS but a bit worse on my neck. The blade just didn't finish quite as well there. My face is, honestly, at BBS. Neck not quite there.

Now, given that my neck shows irritation here comes the acid test. Or should we say alum test. Cold rinse, grabbed the alum and gave it a good coating. And, you know the rest. Oh wait, hold on. Hang on........waiting, waiting.......still waiting..........just the slightest of sting in a few isolated places. Overall not a sound out of the alum. I'm a bit more impressed. Three full passes, a Gillette slide that would scare most away and red showing on the neck and there is no apparent irritation to speak of. Outstanding.

Now, the result could be a bit better but I have a nice DFS shave and smell like the Veg. Not much better than that is possible, and the 301 has impressed on its first day. Two more days to see if it holds up.

I'm beginning to worry about my posse. Looks like they've had a rough trip across the plains over there. Got a message with a pic from last night....gibberish for the message, something about needing a shower, shave......maybe less vodka?!

​

 

SOTD
April 12, 2016
Nuavia Rossa
Simpson Chubby 2
BBS-1 Triad Helix Hex Ti
Feather #1
Witch Hazel, Organic Unrefined Shea Butter, F&C Shambala

Excellent 2 pass near BBS shave today. Tortoiseshell Chubby 2 whipped a mountain of sweet smelling, super slick lather. BBS-1, cruising with a Feather, delivered a smooth and comfortably close shave. TRIAD Helix Hex found a sweet new razor head. Finished with some F&C Shambala. Have a terrific Tuesday everyone!

 

I'm pretty sure the Gem and box cutter would be a better shave. I'm like you....what in the world is going on that anyone would use that blade? Or is there a trick (like grinding it against a rock) to getting it to smooth out. Inquiring minds want to know.

I've also pondered the fact that there has to be an active market for some of these dogs. Flying Eagles are equally horrible if not worse, yet the Tiger and Flying Eagle appear to stay in production for someone.

 

Fantastic photo Mark. The brush and razor look stunning.

 

First off thank you everyone for you well wishes, positive thoughts, and prayers! Had a follow up appointment with my DR this morning and got some good/bad news. The good news is I will heal fine in 4-6 weeks. Now to the list of bad news. 1st) As it is work related and a "Serious" injury I can not go back to work until I am fully healed and the DR clears me...some bull crap he was going on about with open wounds and dealing with peoples food and a possible pending lawsuit if I go back to work...nonsense like that... . 2.) Due to severity of the burns which cover 80% of the top of my right hand and about 20% of my lower right arm I may not got feeling back on the top of my hand for a while and in some spots there is a chance I wont get feeling back and if that is the case hello physical therapy. 3.) BONUS ROUND!!!!- He decided to take my blood pressure after all this then commenced to tear me a new one for having high blood pressure and seeming tense... Hmmm I wonder why...

@DDuckyMark I may just give that a shot! If it keeps me in the focus then I am happy. SWMBO said she will willingly handle slapping my aftershave on after I am done....a little too willingly now that I think about it...

 

A chef with high blood pressure. Never have I heard such nonsense! Especially one with a burned hand, hassles about the recovery and having to learn to shave left-handed!! Unbelievable that your BP would be high. Time for a new doc I say. As far as your wife being willing to help.....I'd watch that term "slapping" with the aftershave. This could be just the opportunity she's been waiting for!

 

Box cutter blades are smoother and easier shaving then the Tiger 3H. I have done it.

 

I keep it in a creme tub where I can keep it moist and soft about the consistency of Proraso. Think @PLANofMAN's MWF treatment with Williams instead. It makes it work about as well as Proraso too.

 

Any cook has high blood pressure. I know a bunch. My worst cooking injury was when I slices off the tip 1/8 inch of all 4 fingers of my left hand while I was chopping up pork for Bar-B-Que. Hurt for awhile. I think I bandaged it really tight and then double gloved to get the rest of the way thru the shift. I may have let them take me to the ER during my lunch hour. I don't really remember.