May 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion

Congratulations!

 

Mystery Blade May

Benchmark Day



1959 Gillette Adjustable
GSB (2)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
TSD ISZ AS
Pinaud Clubman
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The idea today was to set a benchmark with the kit for a precise two-pass shave. Set the dial to nine, made sure to keep the blade angle low by riding the cap. Got really good audible feedback, and would have been DFS on one! Angle is everything!!! Great shave followed. Alum was cool and the ISZ frosty! A little Clubman...and this is what I will try to replicate all month. Had a most productive day under a clear blue dome of a sky. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a terrific Tuesday!




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You're under the dome?!?! You know that won't end well. Well, in the book it didn't. The TV series dragged it on into the land of the ridiculous.

 

We need a MAYhem Scoreboard.

Colorado? You have no idea... Maybe I am in the land of the ridiculous....

 

General Announcement:

We should spam this.





In all seriousness, one of our own writes a shave blog. Check it out!

 

Wow. Way behind. Now you're gonna make me work.

 

Haha!

 

I've already gained some wisdom from it...pull the razor away from your face before setting the angle. Oh, and don't apply New Skin to your upper lip unless you want to scream like a little girl.

 

Make a note: when learning straight razor, no menthol for the first couple months, as it will help prevent scars. Unless you like scars, then by all means...

 

Hmm... a really bad Czech blade in an aggressive Soviet razor. If nothing else, it would rule out the idea I've pondered as to the existence of some obscure Eastern Block razor that the Tiger is actually intended to be used it. (i.e., Two wrongs making a right)

 

Congrats, Neal!

 

April May Focus Day 2:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Ben Franklin SS
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Ben Franklin AS

This was my first straight shave in over a week, and it was great. I went with my Aust as I wanted to establish a nice baseline to compare to my other razors. This razor is a nice, easy shaver. After a couple of days with this razor, I should be set for the others I plan to use this month.

I hope everyone has a great day.

 

The tiger razor doesn't accept the 3H tiger blade. The edge of my tiger looks decent compared to a Baili blue or a dorco barbers blade.

 

05/03/2016
Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti
Feather Super Pro (2)
WDC-8 with Druida Manchurian
Route 66 Lumberjack
Witch Hazel
Fine Platinum
Whipped Shea Butter

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Another very good shave this morning. It would be nearly impossible to have a bad shave when you start with Route 66 lathered with one of my best best brushes. The WDC-8 whipped up a rich slick lather that allowed me to truly enjoy the shave. Going with a a 2 pass shave< XTG and ATG, followed by touch ups on my neck ended with a near BBS. I did get a couple of weepers due to operator error. It usually takes me a couple of shaves to get in the groove with the Goose/Super combo. I finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum. I hope everyone has a fantastic Tuesday.

 

SOTD May 3, 2016
Injector/SE Focus



Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick G1 Injector
Brush: Semogue 1520 boar
Lather: Boll Weevil Freedom
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Freedom aftershave soother, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Well, I had high hopes for today's shave because it was supposed to start a string of shaves this month using the Freedom soap that was purchased by my wife and given to me for my birthday. I pressed it into a container and did a couple of practice lathers with it last night. But my lathers weren't good. They were thin and airy like bath soap. I trudged on and went for it this morning, unfortunately with the same result. The lather was quite thin and dissipated quickly. Pretty disappointing.

So my shave was one pass with touch-ups around the jaw and neck. My smoothness level is not good because I couldn't see the lather as it dissipated and therefore missed a few spots. It's not bad but certainly not the type of lather we are used to. I am going to try a different brush tomorrow to see if that helps.

Have a great day everyone!

 

Technique focus shave one "riding the top cap". Trying to get a three pass BBS that rivals the shaves that I get with my G1 injector. This morning shave was really good I'd says 95% percent there. Its amazing how riding the top cap can change the feel of a razor, even one that I am so intimately familiar with such as the 34C. After three passes WTG, XTG, XTG I was BBS pretty much everywhere except a spot on my left cheek and a spot on my neck. Im sure both of these spots were not as close as the rest due to failure to maintain the angle. Regardless one touch-up pass over those areas and they matched everywhere else. I think the reason I find it easier to maintain the angle with the injector is the flat top cap. At this point im certain that razor angle is key to achieving the kind of shaves I want. BTW with the shallow angle of riding the top cap and there isn't so much as a hint of irritation or even a warm spot. I have achieved a new level of comfort, at least for today! Have a great day everyone!

 

SOTD
May 3, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Merkur Futur
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: RazoRock XXX Tallow
Brush: RazoRock Three Color Plissoft 24mm x 57mm
Post: Thayers Rose Petal WH. Route 66 The Black Pearl
Aftershave: RazoRock XXX
Fantastic shave!! The RazoRock XXX tallow is the best! RR XXX smells so dang good. The RazoRock Three Color Plissoft is killer! Plenty of backbone while feeling like a cloud.
What defines us is how well we rise after falling.

 

Kerry great looking set up. The brush looks fantastic.

 

Thanks Clint!! When I saw it I knew I had to have it. it's the same handle as my Shave Revolution "Evolution" Synthetic 24mm, but this knot has a little more backbone. The RR Plissoft has more backbone.

 

They both look great. I am big fan of that shape handle since it just seems to work really well for me.