SEptember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

That tail is unique! Seems right with the Damascus patina.

 

I had assumed that Clint, but wanted to make sure. These coated ones are excellent with razors I am comfortable with and I will get there with this razor eventually, but I just wanted to make sure. Thanks!

 

I forgot to mention I added a little Florida Water to the lather. I've got some other fun combos planned for this month.

 

Wow the first pickle out of a jar as a metaphor for shaving technique?!!!

That's why we call you the Grand Poobah of the 30-Day Thread, oh Exaulted One!

 

If I still drank...

I go to a swanky bar in Paris or Lyons, and order a snifter of Louis XIV, and a diet coke. Just to see the faces...

 

Too bad it reads like misspelled bad Faulkner imitation prose, with added random punctuation, and just enough Bruce Lee to make it fly.

I am just glad that's all you call me.

 

Ha!

Me?...I'm just glad to be called!

 

SEptember 3 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling San Antonio SS
Gem Junior Bar
Stirling Unscented PSB
Barbasol Brisk AS

I had some mixed feelings about today's shave. On one hand, it was just a stellar shave. So smooth and comfortable. But, on the other hand, I realized that to get to all my razors this month, I will have to put this one away for a bit. Even with that bit of regret, it was still a great start to a working Saturday. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

I think only the handles are different, J being a round handle. The L-1 was my first razor in the mid 60s.

 

Today's SE shave was with my Dad's E-3. He had made the handle for it from wood and gave it to my brother, who in turn passed it on to me after my Dad had died.
It is an aggressive razor, but get the angle right, and you get a very close shave.

 

That is a great looking razor, Jim! The story behind it makes it all the better.

 

September 3, 2016
Gem 1912
Gem PTFE (1)
Romera Olive Wood Synthetic
Mystic Water Eucalyptus & Spearmint
Witch Hazel
Myrsol F/Extra
Whipped Shea Butter

​

I love weekend shaves. I am able to take my time and enjoy the process more. Mind you it's still a pretty quick affair but I do take a little more time. I am primarily rotating 2 soaps this month in an effort to thin the inventory. Mystic Water is known to be a finicky soap to lather and even more so if you have hard water. I've heard the updated formula has made it easier to lather but I not tried it yet. I have success with MW soaps from both the tub and shave sticks but I find it much easier to use MW in a shave stick. I rubbed the stick on my face for about the same amount of time I would load from the puck. The little synthetic brush whipped up the MW Eucalyptus & Spearmint into a wonderful slick lather. I did appreciate the light menthol from the soap on a muggy morning.

Up for today's SEptember shave is a Gem 1912 I received from @JR Reyes as I started my SE journey. I find the 1912 to be a very smooth and efficient razor. I loaded the razor with a fresh PTFE coated blade that will easily last all my weekend shaves for the month. I decided to use a traditional 3 pass shave, WTG, XTG and ATG. Like others have mentioned the angle is not with the cap flat but by dropping the handle you achieve the correct angle. I have found the 1912 to have a pretty wide sweet spot in terms of angle. With minor touch ups the shave was close to perfect. I have one spot the bottom right side of my neck that is the spoiler of perfect shaves. All in all a stellar shave to start the 3 day weekend.

 

Thank you for sharing the story Jim. I have an N type with a damaged handle that I've been contemplating a similar fix. Yours isn't just a repair, it's an upgrade.

 

Thanks, I decided to try my hand at it, too. I had gotten a Shick E with a faux horn handle. Before I was able to clean it and use it, the handle just disintegrated. So, I set it aside for a while. I made a handle from pine for it. Later, I upgraded it. I had some bird's eye maple that I made a new handle from.
http://jrshaving.blogspot.com/2015/09/new-handle-for-e3.html

 

SEptember Spectacular Drug Store AS Focus

Stirling Mountian Man & Omega Pro 98
Schick Adjustable Type M @Max & Chick blade
Alum and $1.00 Dollar General After shave.


I have Stirling on "to be ordered" list. Good performance from the sample from @aelfred.t.allspa . On the suggestion from Ben @ob1page I opened the Type M up to #8. Better reduction, less irritation. Shame it doesn't go to eleven. I hate to only get a couple shaves from a fresh Chick blade, but I do have a couple Twin Blades, courtesy of Tom @twhite . Thanks to suggestions, I'll capture the slightly used blade and try it in my new to me Type G that's out for delivery today from a trade with John @John Ruschmeyer .
Good shave, fairly quiet alum swipe, discount AS that I purchased, then tucked away. This stuff is of acceptable quality. I don't think the scent will last long, but it's doing well for a quick inexpensive travel worthy product.
Good day, Gentlemen!

 

Very nice pic Doug! Makes me want to come for a visit to get out of this desert heat!

 

Saturday Shave

Brush- AOS Fine Badger
Razor- GEM MMOC/GEM 1912
Blade- GEM
Soap- WSP Blackbeard
Post Care- Crystal Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
WSP Blackbeard with menthol

Second go with these razors and we have a winner for this round. First, this was my first try with WSP products and I'm impressed. The soap lathered easily once I got the water figured out, it's a little on the thirsty side. I used the MMOC on my left side and the 1912 on my right. First pass I had fantastic reduction from both sides, equal feel and both of these razors sing. Second pass was the same, third pass wasn't really necessary since it's the weekend but I did it anyways. I'm dolphin smooth all over. The alum is going to decide the winner today. I sprayed on some Thayers and rolled the alum on. No feedback on my upper lip, zero above the jawline, my neck will decide it. First the MMOC side, completely silent. Then the 1912 side, a slight tingle which normally wouldn't have mattered but today it decided it. The winner of the first round of razors, the GEM MMOC. I finished up with the WSP Blackbeard with menthol. Fantastic scent, strong menthol which felt great. If the scent lasts this is going to be a winner. Have a great day folks!

 

Thank you Kathleen. Door is always open. Fall is great, Winter may change your mind.

 

I can't even imagine. It's way too cold here.