August 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

All right here you go!

Ladies and Gentleman....

The mach 37!!!

 

Finally!!! Been waiting for that one to switch back to carts.

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Mongoose B3/Feather Pro (1)
Shave Revolution 24mm Synthetic Brush
K Shave Worx "Frosen" Shaving Soap
Thayers
Fine L'Orange Noir


Got a huge haul this morning from a good friend and seeing as I have the attention span and the will power of a goldfish my rule was quickly and violently squashed.. alas who among us can resist shiny new toys?

So glad to have a Goose back in the den and it is the one I have been after for a while now. While I loved my Alumigoose I have always wanted the Stainless Steel one. It was always a case of no money, getting on the list...yet having no money, or attempting to buy one off the BST threads...and having no money (or the funny story of when I had a bid on one on the bay and then got sniped at the last second just before the auction ended...the computer was almost thrown out the window and I had to find my happy place after that one). Well I finally got it and this pretty lady will not be leaving the den...ever. Ok enough babbling...onto the shave report!!!!


Usual shave routine for me (soak brush and soap in cold water while I am in the shower) (Yes I know you don't need to soak a synthetic....old habits die hard) and after I was squeaky clean I got out of the shower and went over to the sink. Now first things first... I am a badger snob. Badgers are my favorite type of brush and are pretty much all I use. While I am a badger snob I am not an annoying one. I don't belittle those who like synthetics, boar, horse, ect as they are all great brushes...I just prefer and enjoy badgers more. Well....its time to eat some crow.... This brush is phenomenal. Soft as my badgers but also enough back bone so I don't feel like I am trying to lather with a cooked piece of spaghetti. 25-30 second load with the brush and I went into a face lather. Man does this stuff smell good. Lathers beautifully and the scent is just awesome..kind of floral...but manly (quick look at there site and this is the description for Frosen : "This classic blend of red roses and fresh green leafy notes with a hint of menthol.." .. ok so not the manliest but then again what do you expect from a guy who wears dresses? )

2.5 easy drama free passes resulted in a BBS shave. No nicks or anything. Quick once over with alum and it was silent. Finished off with Thayers and Fine L'Orange Noir.

 

SOTD August 20th


Shake Sharp
Personna Lab Blue
Blades Grim Smolder soap and AS
Satin Tip The Purest

Another very nice shave with the Shake Sharp. Was able to hold the angle better today and was rewarded with a irritation free DFS! These Personnas are not anywhere near my favorite blades but they get the job done. Have a great day friends!

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You're right in order. Monday is day one of the Rockwell!

 

August 19

Grand Blade Trial -Week off

Edwin Jagger DE89L
Blade - (3)
Soap - Tabac
Brush - BoS 2 Semogue 620
Post - Alum, Just a touch of Tabac cologne

Day three on the Blue and I decided to see what the 620 would do with Tabac. What can I say but WOW! Again, a very quick load and start to the lather and whe I went to the face to lather it was just an explosion. The feel and efficiency of this brush is truly amazing. If all Semogue's are like this I need another one or two. Especially at the price point for this one....excellent. Again, whoever it was who shamed me into this thing.....thanks for the assist! Enough lather to go 4 or 5 passes but I only went two to again get a near BBS. I'm just enjoying the shaves too much to worry about trying for the baby.

I'll stick with this one more day to finish up my week off in style. The Rockwell is Monday through Wednesday followed by the Treet Double Edge (carbon) on Thursday. Debating using more than one blade with the Treet to avoid any contamination of the results with rust issues. More on that later.

Hope your weekend is going well. I know how busy it is right now for many of you. School is starting up or just did, last minute vacations, college kids to get back in the swing and all of the late summer stuff that happens. Glad you are able to spend a little time with us here and I look forward to things settling down and the shenanigans getting serious around here! (Can shenanigans be serious or is that an oxymoron?) I know business has been pretty good and lots of people going lots of directions which keeps me busy too. I've delivered beds for college rooms to Columbia, MO (Mizzou), Springfield, MO (Missouri State), Cape Girardeau, MO (Southeast Missouri State) and, most importantly, to Tuscaloosa, AL.......ROLL TIDE!!!!! That one got a special discount! Of course when I say I've delivered them I didn't leave the store, but coordinating deliveries over that much area can be a headache keeping up with. Anyway - Happy Saturday!

 

Roll Tide!

 

You picked a nice setup to go off of the thirty day rails with. Have fun!

 

Focus on timing the roster. Every razor is getting a fair chance, even the stars have to make the team again.

Today was truly a focus shave, Robert Williams Purist, a very scary looking razor. It has a sharp point, a sharp heel and takes a very sharp edge. The razor only needs a light touch, it scares most of the whiskers off even before it touches the skin. I always make sure I have time and I can focus when I use this razor.

Today was a success, just one small nick with the point. The alum gave just a tickle and a very smooth face.

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness A- Sharpness A

This razor will definitely make the team but not the starting line up. It is the 3rd and long specialty back. A very flash player but can't be used every play.

 

August Straight Focus
I was getting ready to post about this morning's shave and out of curiosity checked my post count. I was pleasantly surprised to see that my 5000th post would be in the thread that brought about most of my shaving skill improvements. The members of TSD are a great group of people that I am proud to call my friends. Thank you for bringing me out of my shell
Hugs to all.

SOTD
Mike's Natural Soap
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Hien 650 Razor
Alum
Thayers WH
Azzaro Chrome Cologne
Have a blessed Sunday!

 

August Focus Day 21:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
MWF
Damascus Razor
1955 Gillette Diplomat (The Closer)
Stirling Unscented PSB
Avon Blue Blazer AS

I thought I would try my hand at honing a razor using to lapping film. I don't remember where I got this razor from, but it has never been shave ready. Perhaps I should have tried something a little closer to shave ready to start. It didn't work to well. I cam say it was an improvement over the last time I tried this razor, but definitely not shave ready. I got halfway through my cheek and stopped. I didnt clear toomuch of my beard, but did manage to nick myself. I pulled out the Diplomat, which I will now call The Closer, as it pulled out a great shave for me. Two passes, just a little clean up on my neck, and I had a BBS. Even with the poor start, it was an irritation free shave. I really had the Wool Fat dialed in this morning, and I love the Blue Blazer from Avon. After a nice walk in the rain (started halfway through), it was a great start for this Sunday. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Congrats, Brian. It's a great place to waste time on.

 

Congratulations Brian!

 

Congrats on 5000!

 

Mixed emotions about the PRC Chimera. I love the look and the way it feels in the hand. It's very maneuverable and the clean up is so much easier without scales to deal with. On the other hand, what felt like a sharp edge to th thumb pad test turned out to be a false alarm. It was very tuggy and not pleasant to shave with. I'll have to take it to the stones later and see if I can't bring the edge up a little more.
Congratulations, Brian (@mrchick ) on your 5000th post. Some of them have been interesting.

 

Outstanding! 5000 is a lot of talking and I'm happy you choose to so so much of that here. See you at 10,000!

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August 21, 2016- Underappreciated razor focus

Razor: Standard 160 Goodwill (New LC-based)/DeFitch Handle
Blade: German Wilkie (1)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Cella

After a one-week diversion with Injectors, I'm moving back to my original focus which is razors that don't get a lot of play in my rotation. I'm glad I took the diversion, though. Through it, I've learned a bit more about my technique (or lack thereof) and have some adjustments to make.

This week starts with the New LC-based Goodwill razor. I really have to stop short of calling this one "under appreciated", though as it is actually one of my top 5 razors. It's here mostly because, for one reason or another, it doesn't get the face time of some of my other ones.

The shave was basically two-pass: Pass 1 was WTG with minimal additional buffing. Pass 2, following a relather, was a mixed ATG/XTG, again trying to avoid going back over already shaved areas. The result was a very close DFS, approaching BBS in places.

Since this shave was mid-afternoon, we'll see if I have enough stubble to warrant a shave in the morning.

 

:hooray: Keep the, coming. Congrats.

 

My PRC razors always came with a God edge but after touching them up the edge improved. I hope hitting the stones brings you great shave.