July 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

She said she likes the beard better then just the goatee. You probably are right...more then likely just a ploy to get me to slow down on getting new stuff. Guess I will have to see for myself as if I am keeping the beard I will more then likely start buying beard oil and a brush and shampoo and what not like I use to when I wore only a beard. Not sure the beard will stay though as I still have nightmares from the last time I had a beard. Went out for a smoke break at work...flip open the zippo...wind kicks up and I proceed to singe/burn most of my beard off.

Hopefully you are not this years secret Santa


All out of Vodka and running low on caviar.. Not too worried as the boys probably got distracted somewhere.. Boris did say on his last visit if he had to come back he would bash my head off the keyboard though....


All right I am off to go take a pic and will be right back... if I am not back in a few that means the boy's finally arrived and are kldsjhflskdjglksut94teofjsjvlkds 458wuv50 b nwis ejtowito8wu elhflsj9oseut4gss4df
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I love an efficient crew.

 

CJB/ Feather Pro (1)
Stirling 24mm Finest 2 Band
The Fat
Alum
Thayers
The Veg


First face shave since Thursday and I guess I was a little rusty. The Fat lathered perfectly but it took me a good few minutes to get comfortable holding the pain stick and finding the right angle. The Feathers are by no means my favorite blade but when you need to shave a wookie or your mother in law(don't tell SWMBO I said that ) they get the job done as no whisker stands a chance against them. I was cursed with fast growing,tough, stubborn hair. I normally grow more facial hair if I skip a week of shaving then most guys I know grow if they skip a month (okay maybe not that much but you get what I am saying) so when a few days or more is skipped with me I need something with some guts to knock everything down as ZZ Top already said they don't have an opening so the beard has to go.

3 passes plus touchup and the bulk of everything is gone. Kept the Goatee but everything else is BBS. One small nick on the lower neck but I didn't even notice it till I hit it with alum and saw a little red dot. Finished of with Thayers and slapped on a big handful of The Veg.

 

I've found the pain sticks a bit awkward after going back at times as well. Not sure why. I probably need to spend an entire year on them to really set in muscle memory. Maybe 2017-18. Nothing like thinking long term.

 

No Focus Focus
While It's been fun spending the month doing whatever I want to do when it comes to shaving, I think it's time for another Dark Side focus next month. A focus that will include learning to hone. I want to be able to take a razor that I have purchased, restore it, and hone it to shave ready.
Today I shaved with a razor that was honed by an expert and got the best straight shave yet. I absolutely love this big old heavy razor. Thank you @HolyRollah!
Route 66 Black Pearl
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Wade and Butcher 7/8
Alum
Ogallala Bay Rum
Have fun!

 

Hey Brian, have you taken advantage of Kevin's straight razor sell off? I grabbed the C-Mon Blackie, but that's all I could swing on this weeks budget.

 

Straight focus

Epic Shave Alert:

Today's razor is my PRC Chimera. Everything seemed to be clicking, the lather was good, the razor felt silky smooth yet it was slicing away and each stroke felt natural. Finished up and applied the alum and no reaction at all. Faceturbating, oh yeah BBS. Did facial check a few hours later.... that special long lasting BBS.

Irritation A+ Closeness A+ Smoothness A+ Sharpness A

 

I checked it out and he has some nice stuff. Unfortunately, my budget is blown right now

 

Awesome focus for August!

 

I feel ya, maybe there will be a few left later on. I'm looking forward to trying out the C-Mon

 

Thanks. That's my plan

 

You picked a nice one! I liked some of the frame backs and the other C-Mon.

 

Yeah the other C-Mon called to me, but it's a little to much at this time. I do like the looks of that IXL.

 

And the Swiss one calls to me. Sigh.

 

Wednesday Shave

Brush- RazoRock Tri-Colored
Razor- Schick E3
Blade- Schick
Soap- Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic
Post Care- Crystal Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Old Spice Lime

First shave with the E3 and I really enjoyed it. It is definitely more efficient than the Type G, a lot more blade feel, but I like that. The Stirling offered up a great lather, nice and slick with excellent protection. The cooling effect of the menthol felt great this morning, it's already hot here and it's only 3 am. The Old Spice Lime complemented the soap well, it has quickly become a favorite. Have a great day folks!

 

July Focus Day 27:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Arko Cool SC
Gem Junior
Osage Rub
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman AS

Another great shave with this razor. I did two quick passes for a DFS. After yesterday's success with a cream I hadn't used in a while, I thought I would try another that has sat in the drawer for a while. The Arko Cool was nice and slick with some good cushion, and it was a great start for a great shave. I topped everything off with a little Clubman, and my day is off to a great start. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

SOTD July 27th

'57 Gillette SuperSpeed
Rapira Swedish Supersteel
Arko
Stirling 24mm synthetic

The grand blade trials

This morning I fired up the Rapira Swede to sync up with Neil in his grand blade trials. I'm starting a day ahead of him because I am an every other day shave so we will me up in day 2. My thoughts on the Swedish Supersteel, hmmm how can I put this without angering the cartel? It was unimpressive, sure it was sharp and smooth. But it certainly wasn't a standout in either category. After 3 passes it left me with a DFS but left me wanting for more. For me it is about on par with the Rapira SS chrome. To be honest I feel like the Super-Max Titanium I used last shave was a far superior blade. Hopefully in a more aggressive razor it will give me the closeness I'm looking for. Have a great day my friends!

 

Is it time for another week of work already? Got very little done on my list the past two days. Seems like I was way too busy but not on the stuff I wanted I guess. Well, anyway, happy Wednesday to all of you! Shave is done for the morning so I'll report on that later with a wrap up of the Shark Super Stainless. July is almost over which is hard to believe! I'll be continuing the Grand Blade Trials for August, obviously. Anybody else got big plans for the next month? Have a great day!

 

Thanks for the review of the Swede! My previous use of the blade......pretty much sums up how you feel. This has never been my favorite Russian but a good blade. Now, I've never put it in anything more aggressive than my Aristocrat so, yeah, more aggression might improve things. I'll start tomorrow on the mild setting and work it up with you. Breathe easy, the Cartel is withholding its anger until all the data is in.

 

I'll be continuing with my Rockwell 6S next month (unless I get something else that sparks my interest between now and the end of next month) to figure out the ins and outs of each baseplate but besides that no clue what I want to do. Thinking of grabbing The Fat, The big ol' 30mm Whipped Dog, A pack of Voskhods, and The Veg and just making it a rule.

 

I think I'm starting next month's focus early. I'm having too much fun with this razor.
Route 66 Sweeney Todd
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Wade and Butcher 7/8
Alum
Thayers WH
PAA Déjà Fougère AS
Have fun!