SEptember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thanks Ben!

 

Thanks guys!

 

What's the worst that could happen???

 

Back on focus. I had a Feather Pro that I used twice in my Cobras so it still had one shave left in it but I did not want to use a Cobra again. So why not put in a Feather DX and see if my skills improved.

The painsticks have always left me blood, it was just a question of how much blood. Lately I seem to nailing my straight shaves consistently so I thought lets see if I really improved or not. The weather is finally changing so I took out the tea kettle and made some warm lather giving myself the best possible shaving conditions. First three passes were good, no blood and I didn't feel irritation so onward to final ATG pass. Amazing no blood and the alum gave zero feedback. I thought I nailed the BBS but I was wrong and I missed a couple of spots. Still I am pleased with results.

The question is was it my technique or the fact the blade was on it's third shave? It did not feel as rough nor aggressive as I remember. I guess more testing is required.

Irritation A+ Closeness B+ Smoothness A- Sharpness A

 

Well I'm back. I'm not shaving nearly as often as I'd like. Bathroom is interconnected to the bedroom and the girlfriend can't stand the sound of running water in the morning. I will say I picked up the deathblade a few times in the last couple of weeks. Same blade (derby) and the tech (silver blue I think?) and wow. Sliced the crap out of myself with the deathblade and the other was a nice shave but not bbs like always. Also, I'm now working with cold water lather. New experience and anyone that does it... They've got a tougher face than I.

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September 20, 2016
AlumiGoose V1 with Triad SS
Feather Pro (2)
Simpson CH 2 Synthetic
Mystic Water Eucalyptus & Spearmint Shave Stick
Witch Hazel
Myrsol F/Extra

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Another very good shave with the AlumiGoose this morning. The Chubby 2 Synthetic made short order of whipping up the Mystic Water soap into a nice slick lather. I decided to go with a traditional 3 pass shave this morning. After minimal clean up I ended up with a near perfect shave. The shave would have been perfect if not for the one trouble spot on my lower right neck. I finished off the shave with Myrsol F/Extra. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

SEptember 20 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
MWF
ER 1914
Stirling Unscented PSB
Brut Classic AS

If I was forced to go to a desert island with only one safety razor, this may be it. I am using a blade in this razor that must have 20 shaves on it, yet I got an effortless BBS this morning. It was smooth and oh so comfortable. Just a great shave. The MWF really got it going right from the start. I think I have gotten the hang of this soap, and the trick is adding water very slowly. I had tons of slick, cushiony lather to shave with. I finished with a little Brut, just for some childhood nostalgia (my dad used to wear often). My day is off to a great start. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

We have a decision from yesterday and to be perfectly honest I am shocked at the results. The first day of shaves had the Schick E3 narrowly beating the PAL MicroMatic. Yesterday's shave was too close to call however as the day went on the winner became more and more apparent. Almost 24 hours later you can visually see the difference, the Schick shaved closer than the PAL. Up next the Schick will take on the PAL adjustable. Have a great day folks!

 

SOTD September 20, 2016

Blade: GEM PTFE
Razor: GEM Pushbutton
Brush: Artisan badger
Lather: Italian Barber L'Americano
Post: Witch hazel splash, Fine American Blend, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Nice shave this morning. First time using Italian Barber's L'Americano soap. Good stuff! Beautiful scent that matches Fine American Blend. Good performance from the soap. The GEM Pushbutton performed well again.

Have a great day!

 

September 20, 2016

Razor: M3 Schick Adjustable (6)
Blade: Chick (6)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: NeutroMarvy

If I have one fatally bad shaving habit, it seems to be the fact that I obsess about the areas arounds the corners of my mouth. On Saturday, I irritated the area above the lip being overzealous with an efficient blade. I too Sunday off, but came back yesterday with an aggressive setting on the Schick Adjustable and almost got myself there. Today, it all came home to roost... As soon as I got to the spot above the right corner of my mouth, I could feel the irritation flaring up. Unfortunately, my attempts to mitigate ended up in a technique fail and I cut myself.

Time, I think, to walk away from the SE and from blade experiments for a few days. My hats are off to you all; I clearly need to take a reset.

 

Shave 27
Jayaruh #94 Whipped Dog high mountain badger
Proraso Red Shaving Soap Jar
Ceramic Suribachi bowl
Gillette New Long Comb
Astra Superior Platinum Blade.
Ginger's Garden Suede Aftershave Splash

Tried a different method of creating foam this morning. I shook more water out of the brush & loaded it. I then added water as needed when working it in the bowl until the foam was a nice rich lather. It worked well. Shaving with this razor blade combo has become somewhat automatic after 26 shaves in a row. Result was a very close DFS with one very small weeper. Not sure if the weeper was a blemish that got "smoothed out" by the razor of if it is because I'm on my 4th shave with this blade. Oh well, no harm no foul, I'll change the blade tomorrow. Used the Ginger's Garden Suede aftershave for the 1st time. I will review separately, but it leaves my skin very soft and moist. Great stuff.

 

I've got a stack of them trying to find the sharpest

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All in the name of science, of course!

 

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

PAV Brushworks with Envy White
Strop Shoppe Barbershoppe
The OneBlade
GEM PTFE Coated #6
Barrister and Mann Reserve Cool


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Great picture. I hate that Strop Shoppe went out of business. They had some top notch soaps.

 

And the bear hair brush? How's that coming?

 

Guys! Come on! You couldn't let the man just get away with the old trick of shaving with a Machete?

 

May have to settle for raccoon. I'd prefer bear though. They don't fight as much when you shave them. Raccoons are just insane.

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Razor: ATT Bamboo SE1
Blade: Feather Professional (2)
Brush: Omega Barber Pole w/Silvertip
Soap: Route 66 Frozen Margarita
Aftershave: Pinaud Lime

I'm at the start of preparing a 2017 Shave Calendar. As a result I will be posting some shaves in advance of actually shaving. If anyone have a picture that is of particular interest email it to me in hi def to 413wdc21@gmail.com. No staff members are eligible! This calendar will be ready before Christmas.

 

Great picture, Doug! That has either dead of winter or July written all over it!