April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

If he makes it on time. And...he's bringing gifts.

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Alright kids are in bed and I am feeling like a bum with all this stubble... I am going to go shave and report back how it all went... cant promise a picture but I am half asleep so it should be interesting...

If I don't come back within 30 minutes or so call a medic..

 

Reminds me of the old proverb, "Beware of alcohol-soaked Moscow-based underworld foot soldiers bearing gifts", or something like that...

 

Or just beware of their breath for starters.

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Who learned what in April?

So far for me:

"Riding the cap" is mandatory on a Fatip Grande. But, because I ride every razor cap, the Fatip did not deliver the punishment it's known for... (@Linuxguile has asked for a thread on this subject, you guys should look for it later...)

Derby is another blade that will get the job done for me. My beard isn't the heaviest, but for comfort in the Grande, I wouldn't really choose anything sharper, as I simply don't need more sharpness. I was intentionally trying to tame the highly aggressive geometry Fatip Grande with Derby and low blade angle. Success! I could use this as a forever setup. This razor was PIF from @PickledNorthern , and it's a keeper. Look for a DE PIF from me soon...I am still doing the "love it or PIF it", and I love the Fatip!

Veg. Still the Veg. Wear it if you dare. Decant into glass, apply liberally, stand with military posture. Wear it like you mean it, or stick to other stuff!

Arko!!! I love the stuff. Used as a stick with a Plisson, the lather is sublime. Derby and Arko are both Turkish products, and match well with the razor. Veg goes with everything.

My forever top five soaps (in alphabetical order) are Arko, Proraso Green Tub, Route 66, TSD Exclusive Stick, and La Toja Stick. They are all top tier for me. What are your unranked top tier?

And bring on the Mayhem....

 

No picture but....


Gillette New LC/Voskhod (6)
Arko Shave Stick
JR #23 Silvertip
Maggard Alum Block
The Veg


Result : BBS with no nicks or irritation..

Now it is time for me to sit down and eat some crow... For the longest time (a little over 2 years) since I began wet shaving I made my dislike of Arko pretty well known... I tired it once when I had just started and threw the stick in the bin. I couldn't get it to lather and just didn't like the whole stick idea. Well I have given it two more tries since I got a 4 pack of Arko sticks. Now I am not one who likes to back track on what he says/does as I am a pretty stubborn person (just ask SWMBO) and when I don't like something I tend to get rid of it and never revisit it again. Well I can honestly say I was a fool for giving up on this amazing cheap piece of shaving treasure and not giving it another shot sooner. I still don't like the whole stick thing so I just mashed it into a bowl and I am good to go. This stuff explodes with lather similar to what I consider top tier soaps (MWF, Tabac, and Cella) and has great post shave feel. I find the scent very pleasant (Lemon pledge like) and am very impressed by it. It is cheap as chips and IMO is worth a lot more then the price tag it carries.. Arko has earned it's spot in my den and I again apologize for not given it a second chance sooner...

Now if you will all excuse me... my ca-caw is done....

 

Save some of that crow. We all find ourselves needing it. Maybe not for Arko but something.

Arko was one of my first revelations when I started. My first soap was Proraso green based on early forum reading....a different forum. I do believe I got my first Arko last year for Arko April. I got the puck and was amazed at the lather. I tried my first stick a couple of months later. This month was the most I've used it that way. SWMBO loves it as well and I smash a sick into an Old Spice mug for her.

As you say, the price is cheaper than dirt and the lather something to behold. And slick. It's not fancy or trendy. It just works.

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I learned, yet again, to never judge a blade on its first time in a razor. I used the Rapira SS about a year ago and wasn't impressed. But, it is a near twin in its feel and result to my beloved Voskhod. I'm sure part of the change is improved technique, but the blade itself is top of the line.

I also had a good time enjoying a month of shaves. It's been a long time since I spent that many shaves with that many good blades. I'm sticking with the Sputnik tomorrow then two days with the GSB. More Russiany goodness to come. And with MAYHEM just a few days away...I'll need the memories.

I also learned that I can stick with one setup for a month. Well close enough. But boy oh boy did that Tabac smell great this morning when I left the Arko on the shelf for the first time this month.

Finally I was reminded again of the generosity and fellowship of this place. Thursday I'll be back on a laptop instead of fighting an old tablet or Tapatalk, due to a spontaneous and unexpected PIF. This place is the BOMB.

Looking forward to MAYHEM!

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All if the Rapira family are fairly similar to me. Even Voskhod, but they're all pretty great in reality.

 

I was barbering today after I woke up from my post work coma so my setup was different.

I got home did some internet drank some soda and unintentionally impersonated a corpse until about 8pm. I then woke up, ate a sandwich and finished up haircuts for 3 children and the woman. I used the Sam Seong/Dorco BB combo with MiTA/WD synthetic for all the neck, bangs, side burns, around the ears trimming for the lot of them. After my own shearing I jumped in the shower with the same Razor, blade and brush but, switched out the soap for Hydra since I know heavy menthol is a bad thing for painstick use.

Sam Seong
Dorco BB (I'm saying 6 or 7 because of all the hair it cut today.)
Hydra
WD 20mm Synthetic
No aftershave until morning.

I shower shaved so I struggled with too much water in the lather but it was slick and the blade was sharp. I kept it at a 1 pass plus clean up for a DFS with one weeper. I have to wake up for work in 4 hours or I would have chased the baby. I'll slap on AS in the morning.


I would have to say my top 5 soaps are Route 66, Tabac, MWF, Proraso, Dr. Jon's. I reserve the right to change my mind at any time. most of them work about as well for me. Arko is too dry in the after feeling for it to place in my top 5.

 

You're just saying that in case the boys haven't cleared Colorado yet.

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Nah...

 

Top five soaps.....almost forgot. MWF, Tabac, Proraso green tub, Arko and TSD Lanolin Bay Rum.

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I learned that Straight Razors are sharp. And can hurt you very badly.

Never judge a soap based on one use.

I learned that there is no such thing as too much Veg. I pretty much bathe in the stuff nowadays.

I learned that Bali Blades should be listed as a torture device.

My top 5 soaps in order from my favorite to my very favorite:


5.Cella

4.Razorock SMDF

3.Tabac

2. MWF

1. Stirling Soaps

 

Straight razors are sharp?!?!?! Then why do I have some here?!?! I'm terrified now!!

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Since I don't have any Soviet straights I will have to go with my alternative, pain sticks.

My buddy up north has old vintage Russian straights he offered to send me. There could be a little delay as they sort out some technical difficulties with their new high tech drone. It's the new North Korean Amazone delivery drone.

 

Amazing. I wasn't aware the North Koreans had developed that far in their drone technology. Probably how they are going to deliver their warheads as well.

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For now they will deliver their warheads by truck.

Their hi-tech surveillance camera was a Canon 1D but it was too heavy for the drone.

You're guys were definitely in Colorado, the scared one of Chris' neighbours all the way to North Korea. I did not realise that South Park was based on true characters.

 

Breaking in to NKorea? Separates the boys from the Samurai...