April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

I tell you, drunk Russians are a force to be reckoned with.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

Picnic compared to slipping through the DMZ right now...

 

I wonder what the notable dictators of the world used as a daily shaver. Might be a strange and interesting Google session.

 

Great minds think alike. I am sure Kim Jong Un just thinks with laser like focus and uses his god like powers and makes his whiskers disappear while at the same time talking to Dolphins.

 

I would define mine as soaps I would buy again. Route 66, MdC, Mystic Water, Barrister & Mann, and Jabonman. I have enjoyed the other soaps I own or have finished but these are the 5 to make the buy again cut.

 

SOTD April 27, 2016

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Polsilver Super Iridium (3)
Razor: Maggard MR1 handle with V2 open comb
Brush: Semogue 1520 boar
Lather: Arko
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Florida Water, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up



Pretty good shave this morning. I have vowed to finish out April by using Arko. I had beautiful lather again this morning for the first pass. But again, like yesterday, after reapplying lather for touch-up I have found no residual slickness. The razor can bounce around on my skin if I'm not careful. That's a strange sensation. My face feels pretty dry at the end of the shave. I like Arko's cost, scent, and lather volume, but I don't remember having this much trouble with the second application and subsequent razor roller coaster. Oh well. I'll keep experimenting.

The Polsilver blade has been a nice find! I haven't used one before this week. The Semogue brush is also working quite well for me. I'm going to change brush and blade tomorrow while sticking with Arko.

Have a great day everyone!

 

04/27/2016
AlumiGoose with Hempel Ti
Feather Pro (5)
Elite Razor “Tres Amigos” Ironwood Beehive with Envy White
Tiki Cabernet Neroli
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Capri
Whipped Shea Butter

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A little backstory on this morning's shave. Three TSD friends were discussing custom artisan brushes which as happens with a group of enablers led to the Tres Amigos brush. After looking a various artisans we talked with Bob at Elite Razor about making a handle shape that he does not normally produce. We decided to pair the handle with an Envy White 2 Band knot from Nathan Clark. The final product is a joy to hold and use. The handle is very ergonomic and the knot has tremendous backbone, good scrub and excellent flow through. You can probably tell by today's SOTD photo that in addition to myself one of the 3 is @Boojum1. The 3rd Amigo will be along later with their posts. Overall I am very pleased with the results of the project but more importantly I will treasure the friendship that led to the brush.

This shave this morning fantastic. The brush whipped up a nice slick lather and the AlumiGoose was a joy to use. The 2 pass shave with touch ups was BBS smooth with no nicks, cuts or irritation. Keeping the citrus theme in full force, I finished with a splash of F&C Capri followed by Citrus Whipped Shea Butter. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

Thanks, Clint! That's another example of the camaraderie and fellowship that makes TSD a great place.

 

Thank you for the kind words Perry.

 

It sounds like you might not have enough water in mix. While it was enough for the first pass it was not enough for the second. Also, I just noted that you are using a boar brush. Unlike synthetics or badger, boar bristles will absorb water so a boar brush needs to be properly hydrated before lathering. For this reason, I tend to add a little more water in the beginning when I use a boar brush.

When I start having trouble with a soap, I do a test lather. During the test lather, I keep adding water slowly and note how the lather changes. I keep this up until the lather starts breaking down from too much water. This helps me know how much water can be added and gives me an idea on where in the process I liked the lather the best.

 

I have been soaking the boar brush while I shower. I think it does need more water, and Arko seems to be pretty thirsty anyway. I'm going to try a different brush tomorrow. My face is fairly smooth, so the shave turns out to be okay. However the dryness and total lack of slickness after the first pass is not all that fun. Thanks for the advice Clint!

 

I think you would be shocked at how much water some soaps can take before breaking down.

 

An observation on the Marvy soap...

I haven't tried to shave with it in a few days and the puck has been sitting in an open bowl. The result is a somewhat shrunken puck with deep cracks.
I'm guessing that it's going to have to be treated a bit like (as I understand it) MWF needs to be treated- either used consistently or best kept in a closed container to maintain hydration.

 

Well folks, this is post 1,000 for me. I chose to post in this thread because of all the help and support you folks have offered. TSD is a lot of fun! Thanks for all you guys do to make this hobby fun and interesting.

 

Congrats on the 1K posts. I have enjoyed following along with your journey and look forward to the next 1k posts.

 

Ditto my friend.

 

Congrats on your 1000th post Perry. I've been watching your amazing progress. So glad you're having fun. That's what The Shave Den is all about. Your posts have helped make TSD even better. Thanks for your contributions.

 

The Beehive shape is actually growing on me. This is my first brush with an Envy White knot and I am so glad you recommended it. This thing ticks my boxes for backbone, scrub and even a little scritch.

 

Congratulations. It's fun having you around.