June 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Synthetic Focus

TBS Men's Synthetic brush
SVM tripled milled soap
Eversharp razor & Astra SP
Alum and OldSpice AS



Took me a couple days to get Saponificio Varesino Manna moistened, but the lather comes easy now. Spending the month with a synthetic brush is getting me out of the habit of soaking before loading. Not a Schick Krona, but mechanically identical, this Eversharp's only cosmetic difference is a lighter gray colored handle. Paired with an Astra SP it gave a lackluster shave. Three passes left me unsatisfied. I swapped the blade into the FatBoy @5 and an ATG pass gathered what the other couldn't. If the long handled Eversharp shaves that mild, I'll try a sharper blade or risk coming off the cap to increase reduction. I haven't tried shimming a DE, yet. Overall an acceptable shave with the save credited to Gillette.

 

Just fyi... @Rufus T is the resident injector expert. He is also Cartel blade representative to the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

 

Don't let these two guys fool you newcomers to this thread...I've only been here a year. These two have forgotten more stuff about shaving than I'll ever know.

Er...check that...Bama never forgets anything!

 

Good morning! After my shave on Saturday with the I2 Hydromagic I was reminded what a sharp blade feels like and the Gillette Platinum is not that blade unfortunately. I had to constantly remind myself to check the angle and not to use pressure despite the tugging from the blade. Focusing on technique paved the way for a shave that could have turned bad. In the end I have a DFS and the alum was quiet, technique saves the day! Have a great day friends!

 

June Focus Day 12:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Cool SS
Rolls Razor
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Vanilla AS

I went ahead and pulled out a NOS blade for the Rolls, and it made a huge difference. I shaved at the gym, so I was a bit rushed, but after one pass, I was easily at a SAS level, probably a bit closer. I called it good at that, just due to time. It was super smooth and comfortable. I was definitely encouraged from this shave. If this keeps up, it will be another razor that makes me wonder why I waited so long. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

MWF and Stirling Brush Focus
Well, it looks like it took me less than two weeks to figure out the MWF. Thanks guys for the face lathering suggestions. Today was another nice smooth shave.
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Stirling Finest Badger
Gillette Big Fellow
Rapira Super Stainless (1)
Alum
Thayers WH
Fine Snakebite AS
Have s great week!

 

As a Vintage lover that is a great picture! The Clubman is the perfect match.

 

June 13, 2016
Focusing on my Schick Type L (L1 and L7) this month using a variety of blades.



3-day growth = 3-pass shave - WTG, XTG, ATG

First time using a FergieFeather (a cut-to-fit AC Feather Pro blade) in this razor.

Oh my!

I know how sharp these blades are from using in my Mongoose, but using them in a less aggressive razor completely tames it, yet retains the sharpness. First pass had such good reduction I may have been able to finish the shave with a 2nd pass ATG. I did all three passes anyway. I was never concerned about whipping about my face with such a sharp blade, the L kept me from harm and delivered a fantastic shave. Best shave so far out of three different blades.

The final contender (NOS Schick Twin blade, next week) will have its work cut out for it.
(Ha! get it? work “cut out for it” and i was talking about razor blades!!!)


Cheers!
RT

 

Jolly Good June!

June 13 - What's the worst that can happen?

Razor - Ball End Tech
Blade - (1)
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, Nivea

Well, I didn't expect to be putting that setup on the page today. I was pumped up and ready to go traditional straight today, starting it off a bit early and had decided to jump on over to the Gold Dollar 800. Something new and shiny on a day off shave to get it started right, or just butcher myself, whichever happens first. But, before we can get there, let's look at the weekly head shave.

My head shave is always an automatic success. My setup is and has always been the Merkur 23c with Astra blade, VDH Deluxe soap and boar brush. My technique is flawless and rarely if ever do I see any blood. This, however, would be the exception to the rule day. Now, quick background, as some of you know I have chronic pancreatitis....the main symptoms....pain, gastric distress, pain, and pain. One of my particular treats from this is the formation of a pseudocyst just off where the tail of my pancreas used to be. Nice little collection of fluids that comes and goes, causing more pain as it comes, less as it goes. I call it my evil twin. Well, it has been vocal lately and this morning was sitting on a nerve somewhere that radiates pain to my left shoulder. It happens, I'm used to it, and I have some meds to help with the pain that I take later on if the day if necessary. So, a bit distracted by that I suppose but not feeling worse than I have before so I'm good. Or am I?

Lathered up the right side of my head as always, pulled across the grain over my ear and then brought it up around my right ear with the other edge of the blade. Standard procedure. Went back XTG over the top of my ear, changed my direction in mid stroke, and, don't ask my why, added pressure and went for it. Oh yeah, that will cause a cut. And it did. Nice one. I'm swearing, wondering what that was all about, rinsed it, added a bit of lather and came up on another pass right behind my ear, neck to top. And gouged myself again. Now I'm thinking bad blade. It's a brand new Astra. Checked the razor, the blade, all looks good. So why am I bleeding from two spots?

Went ahead to the left side and managed to do my usual shave there, no other issues. I'm still confused, not sure what happened, questioning a thousand things and, thank heavens, I'm done. Off to the shower. Only I wasn't done. Totally forgot the dome. More cussing, already rinsed the brush, soap is closed up. I'm just going to Heisenberg it down. Hit the shower and even that didn't go well. Hard to get it smooth and ended with a really disappointing result. It's CCS but I'll have to do something with it before Wednesday and work.

I'm now feeling less than confident in anything I'm doing and go ahead and load the BoS with the Fat and take a long look at myself in the mirror. Let's think this over. I just butchered myself on a head shave, then forgot to finish it, then couldn't even get a good Heisenberg finish. Am I ready for this razor? Picked up the GD800 and gripped it, put it in place like I was going to set down and noticed just the slightest tremor. Yep, my evil twin is definitely to blame for this. Or at least he's getting the blame. No way am I putting a straight to this face today. I'm too good looking to risk it.

With my confidence in shambles and my heightened sense of how I really feel it's time to shift gears totally. I need a mild shave. Hmmmmm......Weishi? I said mild not kiddie mild. Ah, Ball End Tech and the safety of the glorious Voskhod. Grabbed them, lathered up with the Fat and after two very mild passes I had a nice DFS. However, on the second pass as I came XTG from my hear on the right side the razor somehow slipped in my hand, caught the edge on the corner and I felt it dig. You can stop cringing....the mild angle of the Tech kept the blade from touching. No blood. But more cussing.

It's done, I'm happy with it for today, I'll deal with it tomorrow and plan on handling a straight tomorrow. I'm also thinking of switching to night shaves as I generally feel "normal" at night without the early morning rantings of my twin who always seems worse then. So we'll see about that. In the meantime, if there's a moral to the story......never be afraid to shift out of a shave, especially a potentially dangerous one, if you just aren't feeling it. Unless, of course, it's MAYhem, but we're 11 months from THAT! Have a great Monday!

​

 

Thank you. It was the best gym shave I have ever had. That razor was smooth this morning.

 

Alumigoose V2/Stirling DE3P2 Stainless Steel Handle
Kai (26)
Stirling 24mm Finest
MdC Original
Maggard Alum Block
Thayers
Brut


Early morning shave today before I had to fly out the door to do this, that, and 923 other things. I wanted a fool proof shave today so I grabbed a few of my favorites. Soak the brush while I hop in the shower (MdC is the only soap I don't bloom as it pretty much lathers itself no matter what you do.). Hopped in the shower and washed up with Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill bath soap except for a few sensitive areas which I normally grab my bar of Stirling Executive Man for... well I got some water in my eyes and grabbed the wrong bar and proceeded to give myself the most effective wake up call I have ever had.... no need for coffee today.... a few girly screams later and I was at the sink getting ready to shave. Squeezed the excess water out of the brush so it is slightly damp and start loading up the MdC. I then went to the face and built up a great lather. Plopped the brush down and I grab the Goose for it's 25th and 26th shave (I am a cue ball so I shave my head as well). Head shave went great and I walked away BBS! 4 passes on the face resulted in a shave that was BBS on the cheeks and a DFS on the neck. Last pass I could start to tell that this blade is finally starting to get a little weak so I may retire it today and pop in a new one in the a.m. For someone who normally shaves every other day (this month I am also seeing how my scalp and face responds to daily shaving) I am more then happy that I am getting at the very least 25 full comfortable shaves from the Kai without noticing a drop off in quality.

 

Great performance by the Kai to just now be giving it up a little. I have tried and tried to make Feather my favorite Japanese blade both DE and AC, but Kai always seems to win me back when I use it. As to your soap mixup, I believe you may now be eligible for entry into the @Drygulch Men's Menthol Mixup Screamfest next time it comes around.

 

Agreed. The Feathers are good but the Kais are #1 in my book.

And yes... this mornings mix up will haunt my dreams forever.

 

I wasn't planning to shave today, but after reading of your success I kept thinking that there couldn't be that much difference between bowl lathering and face lathering so I decided to just go in and work up a face lather and see. I grabbed the Kong and thoroughly wet it and slung it out until just damp. I loaded up for 10 to 15 seconds and went to the face. Dipped the brush maybe 2 times during the work up, and started feeling for slickness. I'll be darned, there is a difference. Not as slick as most of my other soaps but definitely slicker than it ever has been. My R41 was still loaded up from my last shave so I grabbed it and did a quick N/S pass, which for me is more or less XTG. I rinsed and had a feel. Not bad. Lathered up and did a S/N pass which of course is XTG in the other direction. Normally I go WTG XTG ATG so this is all new territory for me. Rinsed again, lathered just my neck and made a few j-hooks around the Adam's apple and quit. Cold rinse, alum (no reaction), cold rinse and bang, somewhere between DFS and BBS, no irritation, and more importantly no dry skin. I can't believe face lathering makes that much difference. Maybe bowl lathering whips too much air in the soap causing it to dry out. I guess I won't be giving away the MWF after all.

 

I think you are correct. I was getting lots of air in the lather when using a bowl. No matter now much or little the water, I never got as nice a lather as when I face lather. I still have other soaps that are slicker, but the MWF is usable this way.

 

I was cringing and making whimpering sounds after reading that. Possible PTSD like issues.

That club really doesn't need more members. But if you are crazy enough...

 

Can't say I've ever had a menthol mixup, but a similar incident involving slicing jalapeños comes to mind.

 

I've done that too. In my opinion, menthol is worse.

 

So you were trying to spice things up? Is that what I'm reading?

 

Same advice for both situations. Don't get nuts with it!