June 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Congrats Chris

 

I have one or two hiding around here somewhere.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

I have a Type E that @Keithmax was kind enough to give me. I just wanted my first injector shave to be the Bunny.

 

Cant wait to see it in action!

 

Way to go Joe!
Just focus and enjoy - you're opening up a whole other world of shaving.
Just remember, of course, - no matter the tool - it's all about technique!

 

this is how the trip down a new rabbit hole begins.
(Ha! get it? and you just shaved with the Bunny!!! I'm telling ya, this stuff just comes naturally! I wasn't even thinking of setting that one up!)

 

June 14, 2016
Focusing on my Schick Type L (L1 and L7) this month using a variety of blades.



1-day growth, 2-pass shave - XTG, ATG
Two shaves with this combo - both were near perfection. I almost just want to end the blade competition now - it’s just that good.
But, I’ve waited a long time to try the NOS Twin blade in a Schick razor, so a few more shaves with this combo and then to the Twin.

Cheers!
RT

 

Jolly Good June!

June 14

Razor - Gold Dollar 800

Soap - Proraso
Brush - Vie Long 12061 - The Pony
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, Nivea, The Veg

Time to see if I can get the month back on track. After bailing on yesterday's first attempt with the GD800 I felt a bit better this morning so decided to give it a go. In a bit of a change of routine I shaved prior to showering. Used a hot towel to soak my face and get it nice and moist for the event. I chose Proraso Green mainly because it's as foolproof as Arko, and the Pony just because I wanted to. Great lather, nice and slick so should provide what I need to try this new straight out.

The GD800 is a Chinese made razor, big brother to the 208 that several have used here. It's a 6/8 blade, stainless steel, and has some heft. It was honed by Lee at Wet Shaving Products who seems to be one of the best with the Gold Dollars. Sent it shave ready, so we'll see.

My first impression on the setdown and first stroke was good. Nice audible feedback and even though it's heavier than what I'm used to it was easy to control. Angle set easily enough and the first pass wasn't bad. My lack of practice with TSR's showed, but I expected that. Pretty uneven pass with spots that need quite a bit of work, but the razor seems to be working fine. At times it feels a bit tuggy so I'll pay attention to stropping when I'm done to try and smooth it out. It's also entirely possible my angle isn't holding steady which could cause some of that feeling as well. You've gotta be at the right angle to cut after all.

No blood on the first pass. Second pass XTG and I'm having my usual issues setting up the pass. Just not used to the feel like I am with pain sticks. Straights are similar in one way, totally different in another. Finished that pass no blood and CCS. I'm calling it good. No work today so who cares and.....with no blood I'll stop while I'm still ahead.

Fairly impressed with this razor. It's not as cool as a vintage but it seems to be a pretty solid shaver, even in the hands of a relative novice. With work we'll see how it does over the long haul.

Hope your Tuesday is going well. Heat advisory here today no doubt followed by big storms. Welcome to the Lou!

​

 

OMG!
So this is what I miss these nights in order to get 7 - 8 hours of sleep?
Another discussion of the Veg?!!!
(I'm not even gonna touch the shaved poodles being fed to bears discussion!)

 

Now thats more like it!
Congrats Uncle Chris!

 

I would rather put Osage Rub on the boys again than wear the Veg again.

 

Winner!

Now that's a story worth hearing again!

 

Lilac Vegetal & Ed Pinaude products have been around awhile. Here's a bit of history if you haven't read about it.
My favorite review is quoted in that article.

Badger and Blade has perhaps the best summation of it, by poster Topgumby: “Legends say the Veg will magnify your true essence…on some, it smells like cannon smoke and raw courage; on others, like an involuntary bodily reaction caused by the sudden unexpected appearance of cannon smoke and raw courage.”

I am among the Chosen.

 

MWF and Stirling Brush Focus
I need to change something up. This focus is now officially boring and I'm still DFS six hours after the shave.
Time to grab a razor I haven't used yet for tomorrow. I'm thinking the Schick Type A.
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Stirling Finest Badger
Gillette Big Fellow
Rapira Super Stainless (2)
Alum
Lucky Tiger
Fine L'Orange Noir AS
Have fun!

 

That's the thing with Shananigans. You never know when it's gonna show up!

​

 

Calling Neal @NCoxSTL . Have you used these?

Another Russian Gillette, but I don't remember you discussing them before. Heard some pretty good things but I don't have any in my vault.

 

I have used them on two occasions, just in the midst of blade trials or something of that nature. These are a very good blade as I remember. Very sharp, smooth and a great shave. I just ordered a couple more just to have. They were originally made by a Turkish company called Permatik Celik Sanayi and were bought by Gillette in 2003 if memory serves my research. They moved production to St. Pete's along with everything else. A few people who have used the original Turkish blades swear they improved once they moved to Russia. I can believe that.

 

Wednesday focus shave.

Hart Steel 7/8 fresh off a touch up. Blade was pretty smooth and definitely sharp. A good shave with just one small weeper, maybe it was a pimple? Applied the alum and no reaction at all. Finished BBS and ready to start the day.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A- Sharpness A

 

SOTD
6/14/16

Pre: warm shower
Razor: Schick Injector L1
Blade: Chick (4)
Brush: TGN Finest in olive wood handle
Soap: Soap Commander Passion
Post: cold water rinse, alum, witch hazel, Nivea sensitive cooling after shave balm

Tonight I tried another cold water shave, I did get a really good shave but not a BBS shave although I got close. I may have changed too many variables tonight to nail down the lack of the BBS shave, didn't use the face wash and a different soap, cold water and the 4th day on the blade. despite that I got a great shave but just not BBS. Tomorrow I'll have to go back and change only 1 or 2 things to see how it will go. As usual I went with the 3 passes WTG, XTG, ATG in that order followed by my post of cold water rinse, Alum, witch hazel, and after shave balm. I think tomorrow will be better since I will be going back to a warm shave and a new blade along with one of the 2 soaps I used in the past 3 shaves. As my favorite red headed orphan would say "The sun will come out tomorrow, so you got to just hang on till tomorrow come what may". Good luck all and great shaves!

 

SOTD June 14, 2016
Injector/SE Focus month 2



Blade: GEM Stainless
Razor: GEM MMOC
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Proraso White
Post: Witch hazel splash, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, minor touch-up

Nice shave in one pass with minimal touch-up with the GEM MMOC. This razor is really efficient. I reminded myself again and again to use no pressure and that seemed to help. I felt a little raw after the last shave with this razor but today am feeling better. Close, comfortable, enjoyable shave in one pass with minor touch-up.

I haven't used Proraso White in a good while but was reminded about how well it works. All the Proraso shave soaps are quality products. They may not be the slickest out there, and yes, they do leave a film on your equipment, but all of that isn't a concern when you get a really quality product for a good price. Proraso works quite well and I'm happy to have used it again today.

Have a great evening folks!