August 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

August Focus Day 14:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Port-au-Prince SS
Gillette Milord
Stirling Unscented PSB
Aramis AS

I haven't used this razor in such a long time, but I can tell my technique has greatly improved since the last time I did. The last shave I had with with it involved some irritation and less than satisfying experience, if I remember correctly. Today's shave was spot on, though. This was the first razor my family gave to me, so it has some sentimental value. I got an easy DFS using this combo. Just a great way to start a great Sunday. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

You reached the mythical 100 shave and what a great razor to do it with. :hooray:

 

Thinning the heard focus:

The last time I looked to this the heard my Jerry Stark was on the bubble. With the influx of new straight razor I thought for sure this razor would be on it's way out. I decided to give it a last shot, it has always shaved great but I prefer a larger blade and thicker grind. To give it's best shot I refreshed the edge on 12k and 16k stones followed by pasted strops.

Wow this is the sharpest straight I have ever used, it felt like using a feather blade in a DE. Not super smooth but not rough but I could feel the sharpness. I did just 3 1/2 passes and oh yeah I am baby smooth. I had 2 weepers so with trepidation I applied the alum test..... what? just a tickle from the alum. What a surprise.

The Verdict: I am guilty of blade size and grind discrimination and bias. Given the was the razor shaved today there is no way it can leave the den. It also looks very cool and has a hex nut pin so I can adjust the tightness. I have no choice but to not only keep this razor in the den but also to put it back into the starting lineup.

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness A- Sharpness A+

 

OK, some technique advice would be appreciated. Right under my nose, to get all of the stubble, I feel like I need to take an east/west swipe & that is biting me. Should I stick to North/south?

 

If the east west us causing problems, then u would think you should stick to the north south. I sometimes have to South to North to get the last bit of stubble.

 

Awesome Adjustable Arko August!!!!

August 13 & 14

Grand Blade Trial


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

Well now that things appear normal again around here I need to catch up. Saturday was the third and final shave with the Timor. Setting on 9 and a great lather with the pony. Summary of the three passes.....nice DFS result, not as smooth as Friday but....not horrible either. The blade was a bit on the harsh side at the 9 but by concentrating on riding the cap I managed to avoid any excess alum burn. I would put this blade in a middle of the road position, a bit towards the high side. I could use it on a daily basis if nothing else was around. And, as an occasional trip to Germany...it does the job.

Today ended up being a no-shave day on my day off from the Trial. And, it starts a week off from the Trial. I need to concentrate on catching up with data recording etc., so I'll be freelancing for a week. I'll pick up the Grand Blade Trial again a week from Monday. Here are the next ten blades up for trials.

1. Rockwell Razors

2. Treet Double Edge

3. Royal Stainless

4. Treet Falcon

5. Gillette Silver Blue

6. Qball Platinum

7. Wilkinson

8. Bic Astor

9. Asco SS (Red)

10. V12

I'm looking forward to a week of freestyle and catching up. Hope the weekend treated everyone well. For anyone in Louisiana, hope you're safe! The rain is headed North to us tomorrow and Tuesday. A couple of flood warnings already out but in areas that shouldn't bother us. If the Missouri River starts to rise too far that's when we pay attention!

 

I use my off hand to lift and pull the tip of my nose away from the razor. When I was learning, I stuck to two passes, EW then NS. There's no need to chase BBS on a random Tuesday.

 

PAL Detour days 3-4



Bad day on the nets, but a good shave... The fun resumes tomorrow!

Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado!

 

Thank you! I'm enjoying watching you decide what to keep.

 

August Focus Day 15:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Frozen Tundra
Gem Damaskeene
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill AS

Another great shave with this razor. It was smooth and easy. I got a little Menthol Monday action in with some Stirling Frozen Tundra and Glacial Lemon Chill AS. My eyes were watering a bit afterwards, but I was charged and ready for my day. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Day 3
AoS best badger brush (broken in)
Proraso Green Shaving Soap Jar
Gillette New Long Comb
Astra Superior Platinum Blade.
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill Aftershave Splash

I had 4 days of growth to take down. I re-read the article on "riding the cap" and that technique is where i'm going to concentrate my efforts. First pass knocked down most of my stubble, but I nicked myself under my nose again. I think its because I'm having trouble getting the blade close to my nose due to the cap on a north south pass. Also probably because I'm over thinking it. I lathered up for a second pass still concentrating on riding the cap. No burn. Not the closest shave, but okay for a Monday morning. I got the nick shored up with a styptic pencil. Splashed on the Glacial Lemon Chill and took a deep breath to fill my nose with that citrus menthol (that stuff makes my face feel great). On to day 4.

 

Menthol Monday Shave

Brush- AOS Fine Badger
Razor- GEM 1912
Blade- GEM
Soap- Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic
Post Care- Crystal Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Old Spice Lime

Wow! What a fantastic shave. I had 2 days growth so the GEM had it's work cut out for it. Did it ever step up to plate! Three passes and I'm dolphin smooth, not a single hair was missed. The MITA performed great as usual, nice lather, great protection, cooling menthol and a wonderful citrus scent. It paired wonderfully with my Old Spice lime. What a great way to start the week! Have a great day folks!

 

August Straight Focus
I never thought I would be able to say this when using a straight , "Same great shave, different day"
I am so hooked.
Route 66 Ghost Town
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Wade and Butcher 7/8
Alum
Thayers WH
PAA Déjà Fougère AS
Have a great Monday!

 

If you still have it around, there's no shame in using your previous razor to clean up. Let that lip scar heal up and shave around it with your old Mach3. Skills take time to develop. Have you considered a mustache?

 

Adjustable August Rule departure

Barbasol Arctic Chill
Vulfix 660 / Suribachi
B-V3. 1 & Chick blade
Alum, Osage Rub
Florida Water



Couldn't resist taking my New & Improved injector for a test ride. Tom @twhite doesn't need cheer leading, but I guess he appreciates my enthusiasm. Keeping my Karma balanced, I traded him a minty fresh Lady Schick for this tuned up prototype that we agreed on can call a B-V3.1. It has a tighter spring to combat blade loading issues encountered by the folks who've been test shaving. So far I give it two thumbs up
Menthol Monday Barbasol watered and punched down for a nice moist lather applied with my favorite (only) Badger brush out of my best bowl. A fresh Chick blade, courtesy of Chris @Bama Samurai, using the Mild comb and I don't claim it often, but BBS! No nicks, as I didn't fiddle around. Just three passes, and the extra chin work I like to add in. Alum swipe was happily quiet, and Ben's @ob1page Osage Rub & Florida Water finished great!
Reporting in from soggy but not flooded South West Louisiana, Good Shaves Y'all!

Mispeeled Via Kyocera / Tapatalk

 

Awesome shave! I'm glad the Osage/Florida Water combo worked for you too.

 

Awesome Adjustable Arko August!!!!

August 15

Grand Blade Trial -Week off


Razor - 1947 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (1)
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Brush - Semogue 620
Post - Alum, The Veg

Taking the week to catch up on things here. My first project was not so smooth. Cleaning my desk and had several razors laid out from use. Blades still in them and......I reached for an eye drop bottle and somehow managed to lay my index finger on my left hand down on the corner of my '59 Superspeed with a Sputnik in it in the perfect position to slice it. Just below the tip and when I say slice I mean leaving a small flap of skin hanging and blood pouring. Cussed (repeatedly) and grabbed a towel that was laying there and put pressure on it. Got it slowed down enough after about 10 minutes for SWMBO to wrap gauze and tape it up. So, I'm correcting a bunch of mistakes trying to type with it now. Glorious. Never thought that would happen. But, I guess so.

As for the shave earlier today I started with my usual weekly head shave then pulled out the 1947 Super Speed, the first vintage I ever bought. Threw in a Voskhod, and got the new Semogue 620 soaked and ready. I had the Fat soaking for awhile before that and got a great lather going on my face. Three passes later the near BBS was done and I ended with the Veg. Mmmmm MMMMM good!

Not sure if I'll repeat that or do something different tomorrow but one thing I know....the razor is up on the shelf with the blade in it.....and the others have all been cleared!

 

except yourself...

 

August 15, 2016

Adjustable August
DEs - Gillette Fatboy and Slim
Injectors - PAL and Schick

I spent the first two weeks of the month with my Gillette Adjustables. The Slim did seem to give a better shave. It seemed to handle better, especially aground the chin. One shave with the Slim almost gave me a weekday shave where I did not have to shave the next workday.

In this third week I'm moving to adjustable injectors starting with the PAL, using a Chinese Schick blade. Vacation mode, so not shaving every day.



3-day growth, 2-pass shave.
1st pass at the halfway setting XTG
2nd pass dialed down to the one-quarter setting for ATG

Pretty great reduction on 1st pass. Mowed through the 3-day growth as smooth as can be setting up a very close BBS on the ATG, with just minimal touch-up on the jaw.

Great outdoor shave on the beach!

Cheers!
RT

 

Trying to make the team today is Hoken J West.

It did not come shave ready so it was honed over the weekend and not it is time for it's first shave. The edge felt a little rough and sharp enough but not very sharp. The alum feedback was better than expected in just a little response and just missed BBS.

Irritation A- Closeness A- Smoothness A- Sharpness A-

While this razor just made the grade, all A-, it up against some stiff competition. I have several shoulder less razors, 2 Dovos and a TI 7/8. My other similar J West Takehana Feon is allot prettier and all the competitors shave better. This razor may hit the waiver wire.