August 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

No shave this evening, as is my usual every other day schedule. Went out with my cousin & her family to a family style restaurant last night. I got a shower and shave in just before we rode and ate. Up at dawn to attempt vinyl Facia Trim Replacement on a 12 on 12 sloped roof. It was cool enough, but I couldn't get a grip to hang on. Next trip I'll bring rope, climbing harness, and my lucky rabbits foot.
So I hauled my self, truck, and tools back across the state line but not without some wandering. I stopped at the twelve dollar Fat Boy Store. Got his last one for fourteen bucks. Sheesh, inflation, amIright? Between there and three other stops I scored several new to me vintage Avon AS's, a good handful of Shulton Old Spice gear, and a Schick injector that fell apart when I tried to clean it - crumbly plastic.
Good day? Yes, until I got home and found someone needed my TV more than I did. Still had the box so the police report includes the serial number. That only helps if the lowlife tries to pawn it for 10 cents on the dollar. Nothing else missing that I've noticed. The perp didn't toss the place. Best news is TVs are bigger, better, & cheaper than ever. Wait fifteen minutes and your Top o' the Line is Soon to be Obsolete.
Fortunately vintage razors & aftershaves hold their value and aren't coveted by sneak thieves. And pawn shops don't buy em.
How's that go again? Baji naji?

 

What's the worst that could happen?

 

A King Kong shave !

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Awesome Adjustable Arko August!!!!

August 10

Grand Blade Trial


Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (9)
Blade - (3)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Vie Long 12601
Post - Alum, Nivea, The Veg

Final day on the Silver Star SS and I was a bit concerned how this one would go. Great shave at 6, also a very nice shave at 2....is it sharp enough to go harsh at 9 or too dull to stay smooth?

Well, after letting the horse run through the Arko for a great lather I discovered another smooth pass on WTG. A bit more feel of the blade but at 9 that isn't too much of a surprise. Kept it on the cap and had a great pass, great reduction, smooth and no issues. Second pass, XTG and again, stayed on the cap and got a great pass again. Third ATG and Slides and by staying on the cap I finished with a BBS (barely) and did just a bit of touch up around the goatee. Turns out too much tough up as I caught the corner of the blade at the very end. Very small nick that was totally technique issue. Can't turn on a dime like that.

My overall impression of the Silver Star - a blade worthy of consideration as a rotation filler for sure! Lord did a nice job on this blade. I'm pleasantly surprised.

Tomorrow starts three days with the Timor blade. Should be a good three days. On another note, my boss, who talked razors with me last week and ordered a hundred Voskhod on the spot, reported today that he has had two days of great shaves with the blade. (ordered from Amazon, hence the fast delivery). Says it's the smoothest he's had and......drumroll.....has already convinced him to cancel his Dollar Shave Club membership. Yes, boys and girls, we have a new convert! He's using a Merkur 180 (23c), Voskhod, and AOS cream and brush. Russian steel wins again!

​

 

In Soviet Russia, the steel chooses you.

 

AAA
Day 8, GSB 1

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Day 8, and I will be retiring blade one. It got a little tuggy, and we know Arko ain't the reason. I am really gonna try to stay on the cap and make the next blade go 15 days. Two passes for the near BBS, Alum was a bit warm, and the Veg thanked me for being a man. Weather is taking wold turns, this time for the better. Still much work to do! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a terrific Thursday!
☺​

 

8 days on a GSB. Not bad at all. If you can get 15...you'll be the official GSB Stud!

 

I got twenty-one in a row last year, remember? (I was being stubborn though, 14-21 were some work.)

 

Yeah I was thinking you had a longer run but couldn't remember for sure. Add Vodka to those later shaves.....they don't feel as rough so it gives you a better record. The vodka is for internal use, of course.

 

I gotta say, I am getting into this whole Arko Veg routine. Feels right.

 

Veg still rules.

 

I haven't Veg'd in a while. Got distracted by Barbasol, Avon, and others.

This Derby blade I've been using has served well. Seems to be getting better as I use it. That's all temporary, a phase I'm going through. I can feel a 100 blade Voskhod order coming on.

Some of the Russian ebay sellers say they include a free gift. Any idea what it is? I'm not shopping for a mail order bride.

 

The ones I've had do that usually included one extra blade. Yeah. Whooppee.

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Word

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I have the same experience with it. I don't even notice the Arko scent now other just a background item to the shave

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Mrs Samurai, being of strong opinion regarding scents, thinks Arko just smells like Ivory soap. She also says it doesn't persist in the skin at all. I consider it a "neutral" soap. AS will be unaffected.

 

Yes. The scent rinses off. No effect on AS and if you use no AS there is no leftover scent. The classics last because they perform right.

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We should do a USA drug store AS month:

These come to mind:

Generic/House brands
Skin Bracer
Brut
Clubman
Old Spice
Aqua Velva (all varieties)