May 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion

That is no longer in the rules since the change in management for the thread. At least I didn't notice it in the rules.

EDIT: I checked, its not a rule anymore.

 

SOTD
5/16/16
Razor: Gillette TV Special (formerly know as the Super Speed)
Blade: GSB
Soap: Haslinger sandalwood (Thanks Clint)
Brush: Stainless Steel w/TGN synthetic knot (Thanks Clint)

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Maggard Alum, Walmart Witch Hazel, Nivea sensitive after shave balm.

Well I feel asleep last night and didn't get to shave. Tonight, WOW I got my closest shave yet. I went back to my TV special and used the GSB blade. Clint told me that the synthetic was a lather monster and so it was, I looked like Father Christmas. 3 pass shave tonight, first pass WTG good reduction, second pass XTG even better reduction, third pass ATG and wow. Followed up with a little clean up and I got a near BBS shave. I rinsed my face with cold water, then I used my alum and felt a little tingle on my neck, followed that with the splash of witch hazel, and then the Nivea, with no weepers, and very little irritation. I'm sure getting better at my shaves as this month has gone on, and enjoying it more and more every day. I'm feeling a little heat on my neck but I guess that's from how close I got.

 

But I don't want cheap, I want at least good stuff to start with so I will have a good chance at getting a good shave.

 

I think that was an engineering feature of Soviet DE razors. Uneven gap, blade sits different every time. Maybe a wave in the middle. Who know? As long as it's in the razor, right?

 

The shave is pretty much the same. There are lots of options if you want to get a nice straight. You can go with a vintage straight and have it honed by a master or purchase a new razor. The key is to make sure it arrives in a truly shave ready state.

You may want to post in the straight razor section and ask for advice. You will get allot of good responses. There are several members who do restoration and honing, their work is top notch.

 

There is no such thing as a good shave the first time with a straight. Or if there is, fear the second.

 

Amen.

 

I've had a WD Straight and while they are not always the prettiest chick in the bar they do the job at closing time (They shave beautifully). Larry puts a killer edge on his razors and provides a great service to those of us who cant afford a brand new Dovo Best Quality with custom scales and all that other jazz. You are paying $28 for a razor that may be ugly as sin but shaves like a $300 razor will. As always YMMV...

 

So the chicks in the bar at closing time were supposed to shave me? Wow. All those years spent without getting a single shave.

 

They might have gotten the word shave confused with mace.

 

I just went to his site and saw what you were talking about, I may go that rout when I can. And I should have clarified by saying that I wanted something I could get a good shave with, I figured it would take time learning to get that.

 

Ahhhh......yeah probably so. That stuff hurts too.

 

Monday Shower/Shave

Shower- Noxzema facial cleaner, Dr. Bronner's All-One Hemp Peppermint bar soap
Brush- RazoRock Tri-Colored
Razor- Muhle R41 on a Maggard MR5 handle
Blade- Sputnik (2)
Soap- Italian Barber Milionario
Thayers Witch Hazel with grapefruit EO
AS- Florida Water with M-Bomb

First shave with this brush and soap and I'm very impressed. I love this brush! Feels great in the hands and on my face, it built a great lather out of the Milionario soap. Speaking of the soap, it smells great, excellent cushion, it's slick and my face feels great post shave. I am happy I ordered it. The second day on the Sputnik was good, it's not the best blade I've used but far from the worst. I did three passes and I'm BBS with no irritation so I can't complain.

Riding the cap again tonight. If you haven't tried to shave this way you should try it. Very comfortable and considerable less irritation than I was getting before. Have a great day folks!

 

Here you go. THIS IS IT Post 278 if it doesn't land you right on it. But, now that you have it, you can't talk about it.

 

Each side is even with no wave. The blade always sits the same way too. Always way more blade on one half than the other. At least double. I like how the posts that hold the blade are brazed on, I can mostly see light between them and the top cap.

I take back the wave comment. The corners of the bottom plate are worn so it makes it look like the blade curls out at the corners. I'm shocked at all the great shaves this thing has given me.

 

I have a WD razor. I can't say anything about his honed edges because I got it 2nd hand but the WD straight is my favorite. His poorman's strop kit will do the job and not hurt so much when you cut it (everyone does a little at first).

I have yet to cut myself with a true straight while shaving. I have gotten myself with shavettes. I'm not counting weepers or a knicked mole here or there. I mean I have never needed longer than 30 sec with cool water or a second's touch with Alum to close a straight razor injury. No scars or disfigurements. I have hacked myself pretty bad dropping, disassembling, honing, stropping, and cleaning a straight.

Its not as scary as it seems just go slow and pay attention. Don't rush things. Get great shaves regularly with a safety razor first.

 

Good morning. My picks are 3 1 1 2. Have a great shave..

 

And you can plug for Adam's strops too! I think we agree they're good stuff, plus he's a TSD supporting vendor, 30DC Original, USA straight razor fanatic, and all around good guy!

 

Know this.