SEptember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

You know.... Only straights remain after this....

 

If Osage were purchased in normal AS quantity, it'd only be a few dollars. Count it, I will be using it this month also. Went with generic Kroger Arctic Blue AS today...

 

I used to vacation up there as a kid, excellent memories. It's awesome you're sending it home.

 

Friday, September 2, 2016


King Cobra with UFO TiTan Fine
Feather Pro Super #3
Paladin Strawberry Amber Chief Finest
Wickham's 1912 Club Cola
Fine L'Orange Noir



​

 

I've been curious about that new wickham formula Mark. Good stuff?

 

Smells like a Drug Store SEptember!!

September 1

Grand Blade Trial
Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (2)
Blade - (1)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Semogue 620
Post - Alum, The Veg

Welcome to SEptember!! And one filled with all the goodness of the old time after shaves. Here in STL today it even turned into a nice pre-fall day with highs around 80, a nice breeze and promises of many nice fall days to come.

My day started with a new blade on trial, the Personna Platinum - better known to shaving enthusiasts as the Israeli Red. Made by Personna in their Israeli plant it is a legendary blade alongside Feather, Voskhod and others. Vaunted for its incredible sharpness and smoothness it is the primary choice for many, and, for me, today was the first of three days I will spend with it. It's the Red version of the Personna Lab Blue.

After determining that the Royal Stainless Super, also from Personna Israel, is indeed a very fine blade I decided to put this one next in line for a direct comparison. And, my first thought as I started the first pass (other than wondering how a brush can actually make that much lather while spraying it all over the room at the same time) was a sever disappointment. I had expected shave nirvana. What I got was a fairly rough and ineffective first pass. Seriously? A blade as sharp as its advertised should have no trouble handling a Slim on 2. This one, however, did. It wasn't so rough that it was uncomfortable, really, just annoying. Second pass produced the same and the third pass was a serious ATG with a very aggressive Gillette Slide trying to get the neck to DFS. Alas, it didn't make it. A nice high level CCS, but no DFS today.

I should mention that I actually changed blades prior to the third pass to make sure I didn't have a dud. Nope, no dud. Just how they both performed. So, I'm left waiting until tomorrow to see what a higher setting will do. For being considered by so many a really sharp blade it performed more like a Derby. We'll see what it does tomorrow on 6. Right now, the Royal has it beat.

Hope you all are making some great plans for Labor Day weekend. Mine are to work 12 hours a day slinging springs. My usual holiday setting. Happy SEptember to you all!

 

Skin Bracer! I need to add that one too. Great start to the month!

 

That is such an awesome write up of an awesome idea. I'm a bit jealous I didn't think of it.

 

Still trying to make a "dare razor" workable. Gotta give you an "A" for determination. At least you're making progress.

 

The only thing I plan on changing this month is the soap. I placed a fresh PAL blade in the GEM Micromatic this morning and was rewarded with a smooth and close shave. This razor makes it almost effortless to shave.

 

Following a Rule is always filled with those moments looking at the other shiny things just begging for your attention. Kudos for sticking with it to nail down technique. You are quite correct. Better technique translates to better shaves with all gear. That set up with the Omega Pro 98, Proraso green and aftershave is quite familiar. I used that in my rule as well. The only difference was my Aristocrat and Voskhod for the blade and razor. Clearly you have great taste.

 

Jump aboard the trial anytime! I can always use the second opinion. Especially when blades act differently than expected from prior evidence!

 

Thank you very much! I had a lot of fun doing the Schick and PAL adjustables like this so I figured why not do it the whole month.

 

If the A/S was a gift then the cost to you is $0! That certainly qualifies.

 

No permission needed to hop aboard the 30 day train! Glad to see you're here.

 

You do me a great honor, Sir.
I picked up that Fat Boy with the thought that it deserved to be in the hands of someone who would appreciate it for the fine tool it is. Dedicating a 30 Rule to developing your technique is my sign that it has found a happy home.

May your blades be sharp
and your hands steady.
Good shaves to you!

 

My September focus will consist of new (Mongoose) vs old (vintage Schick razors). I will be alternating between new and old each day. The blade of choice will be the AC pro guard, modded for the Schick's of course.

 

Day One of SEptember



Just like that. Two passes and in with a DFS. About today's AS: it's an AV clone, and quite menthol. I dig it.

Thread disclaimer for September:


Lots of vets are flashing shiny steel. The reason they can do this is simply the accumulation of technique mastery and experience. If you're new... Stick it out, finish the rule. You'll gain of feeling of accomplishment you can't get any other way. It will make further razor acquisition much more pleasurable.

Once a single tool is mastered, and the fundamentals of blade angle and pressure are honed through practice, all razors become, more or less the same. Even straights. The fundamentals are universal across all styles. Don't sentence yourself to a never ending rotation of mediocre results and little satisfaction. Trust what you read about the techniques...we've all been where you are now. Pretty soon, all the shaves will be great! And BTW, learn skin stretching. It really maximizes the results and requires more learned precision.

Rock on.

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


☺

 

It's all fun and games until someone breaks out the modified blades! Welcome back!

 

Ha! I think I'll stay with popsicle sticks!