April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

Thanks for the reply, and thoughts. Didn't learn any of this from my dad...
I haven't tried face lathering yet. I have to say I'm intrigued, but want to get the bowl thing down first. Later in the 30 days perhaps?
I'll skip the blooming tomorrow...
So far, so good with Derby. It certainly could be that I'll go to a different blade and wonder why I ever used them. But good for now (I did use an Astra blade last week fur two shaves, and it was hamburger city...)
Glad to know in not alone in the touch up area!
C-c-c-c-cold waste? Yikes! Yep, I'll put it on the list to try. Now that it's not below zero anymore!

 

I face lather 99% of the time. Sometimes I bloom sometimes I don't. I don't use Derby blades.

 

Repeat SOTD
April 13, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Gillette British Rocket
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Lather: Route 66 Cavendish
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft
Post: Thayers Rose Petal WH.
Aftershave: Folsom & Co. Shady Past. Route 66 Cavendish
Fantastic shave!! I love Route 66! Love Cavendish! Love! Thank you @Salty Belle
One of my problems when I head shave has been my choice of soap, I prefer a really slick soap, one that my razor/blade will skate over my head. Unfortunately in the past I've picked some that weren't so accommodating . This morning along with my face shave I used Route 66 Cavendish and the outcome was A-mazing! Followed up with Route 66 Cavendish aftershave balm. Silky smooth. My wife even commented on how well my dome looked.
The British Rocket is a superb razor, just a tad more efficient than its counterpart. Chris @Bama Samurai opened my eyes and blade experiment the other day, I'm pretty much a Lab Blue, Ladas user, I have a wide variety of other blades but I tend to use what works. Well I'm going to start using different blades this month to see what happens.... The GSB ended up being really smooth on its second shave, I'm tempted to go for a 3rd shave with it. I believe I found another blade. For those who use Thayers Witch Hazel do you have a favorite scent? I thought Cucumber was great but man this Rose beats it. How about you?
What defines us is how well we rise after falling.

 

When I was a kid I had a mini bike and the muffler poked out from the side, well I burned my calf really bad, I mean really bad. My mom always had Aloe Vera plants growing in pots, so she took a stalk? Cut it open and rubbed it on my calf, she repeated as necessary. My wound healed really fast and I have no scar.

 

Straights Focus April 13:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
La Toja Shave Stick
Gillette Tech
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman AS

I showered and shaved at the gym this morning, so no straight for me. I went to my birthday quarter Tech and some La Toja. I have to admit, I felt a little odd lathering with my brush, and got a few looks from the others in the locker room, but it went well. I can definitely zip around with this razor a bit better than with a straight, and was done well under 10 minutes. I got a nice DFS, plus I do think some of the older gentlemen maybe had a bit of a look of appreciation. I hope everyone has a great day.

 

Intro to Noodle Arm Shaving (Day 1 of "Good Grief Just Grow A Beard Until You Can Use Your Right Arm Again" days)

Gillette Tech/Lab Blue (1)
Arko
Omega 81025
Maggard Alum Block
The Veg

Todays shave went...well it went. Sticking with the arko till my right hand is healed as it is kind of hard to load a puck right now whereas just rubbing the stick over my face and then going at it with the brush is a lot easier. Have not used arko in well over a year in a half and I am glad it is back in my den. I didn't really care for it when I first tried it as back then when I was still a noob I struggled getting a lather out of it. If I remember correctly I think I tried melting it down like I had with a puck of VDH soap.

Keeping the angle and not using pressure was the hardest thing for me to do with this shave. Ended up doing almost 5 passes and got a fair amount of irritation all over so may skip a shave tomorrow to let my face recover. The Alum spoke in such a rude way to me this morning and the Veg burned pretty good. The worst part? It looks like I haven't even shaved. I think the tech is a little too mild so next shave I will break out the Old Type.

 

Razor: Gillette Tech Black Plastic Handle Razor (X4) 1952
Blade: Dorco ST 301 Platinum SK (4)
Brush: WDC-8 TGN Finest
Soap: Route 66 The Black Pearl
A/S: Myrsol Formula "C"
Bowl: Pottersong "SHAVE"

Still very pleased with the South Korean Dorco ST 301 blade. This razor will only be in this rotation because of my Tech Focus this month. Once again the Route 66 soap is amazing. It has a wonder ful scent and it whips up into a great lather. The Black Pearl is unmistakable. Reminiscent of exotic spice cargos of yore this mysterious fragrance sets sail with fresh, herbal top notes over soft florals and a medley of spices. Accented with a smoky depth of vetiver, myrrh and wood grass.

 

I really liked Black Pearl too. It was the first sample I used up when I got them in.

 

Thanks for the tag and it's my pleasure! So glad you enjoy it

 

Thanks Doug! I always look forward to your outdoor photos

 

4/13/16 SOTD
Razor: Genco 5/8
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcell Horse/ Hemp Linen
Brush: Ubersoft II 28mm in aluminum handle
Soap: Barister & Mann Seville
Post: Cold Water Rinse, Alum, Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman w/ M-Bomb

Had a good shave today. One of my less flashy razors, but I enjoy using it. It is very nimble and easy to use. Big synthetic whipped up a slick lather with the Seville. Noticed I can see the bottom again of the soap container. I have pushed the soap down several times to keep it in the bottom, but I am running out of this one. Just ordered their 42 soap, so need to finish this one up. Did my two passes, and needed a little touch up on the neck to get a DFS. Managed to cut my neck on the touch ups, and got a pretty good weeper. Wore a red shirt today so I didn’t have to worry about staining the collar. This is why you don’t use a straight when in a hurry.

 

Adam, that huge knot is awesome!

 

I was actually considering getting rid of it, but the more I use it the more I like it. It doesn't work well with some soaps, but it loves the B&M.

 

Then it's serving it's purpose buddy.

 

LOL. Based on the scent, there was definitely a contribution from the Williams.

Seriously, though, even without the VdH or the soaking, I could usually get a decent enough lather with my boar brush. Being able to use the badger, though, was special. Personally, I think Williams is not that bad. It's a bit demanding of technique and tools, but is attainable.

Now, if you want a real challenge, you want to try the Marvy shaving soap. It's definitely a level or two more difficult than Williams, needing lots of bloom and loading with a very dry brush. I also suspect the lather has a narrow range of hydration before it breaks down. I've been tempted to pick up a second puck and do a PIF just to see what one of you experts can do with it.

 

I will accept that challenge my dear sir. I'm pretty sure I can lather anything.

 

Just the name Marvy makes me want to try it.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

I've still got most of a puck sitting in a tin soap container so the smell can't escape. It isn't mosquito season yet so don't need it. However, I'll be giving it a try with the method you suggested. Lots of water, soak etc. In other words, treat it more like my Mitchell's, which I've never had a problem lathering as long as it gets enough water. My favorite soap, in fact. So, trying the technique for my favorite on my least favorite, what's the worst than can happen?

 

I'm not Chris, but I would take the Warriors. Kobe overstayed by a few years. Great player yes. Deserves HOF status. I've just moved on.

 

Welcome, if I missed saying that. A bit behind but catching up. Interesting that Derby is better for you than Astra. Was it the Astra Superior Platinum or Stainless? The Platinum has always been one of my best blades. I use it on all of my head shaves. Derby is a much maligned blade that deserves more respect. Especially in a more aggressive razor it can give fantastic shaves, and even in milder ones it works great for many. My wife uses only Derby blades in her Lady Gillette. It's definitely more forgiving than some, but also lacks a bit of sharpness, which explains the mildness. Glad to hear it's treating you well.