OCtober 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Sounds good to me

 

I have enjoyed following your monthly focus posts. I know the monthly focus threads helped me develop my skills. See you in the SOTD. And with that epic haul I can't blame you at all.

 

I don't recall seeing those two words so close together in one sentence.
But I like it!

 

Martin, nice setup and beautiful photo! You're off to a great start, and I'm eager to follow your progress with the Feather AC. I've used one periodically over the past couple of years, and you're encouraging me to break it out again soon. It is, by far, the closest shaving razor I've ever used. Because it forced me to shave slowly and carefully, it also allowed me to fine-tune my skills more than any other razor. They're called a Pain Stick by our 30-day group for a reason.

 

Charlie, did you fully master the SR. I recall you had ordered a very nice one.

 

I have been in the same boat as you Clint. What you say makes perfect sense. I appreciate you post this. That is one beautiful brush!!!

 

Excellent photograph amigo.

 

Great news! I would not want to miss your smiling face...er....I mean...contributions to the group!

 

Clint, I've used it a bit, but I sure haven't mastered it. Actually, stropping the blade is more challenging than shaving with the razor. I know that practice (and maybe getting it rehoned a time or two in the process ) makes perfect. I need to break it out again soon.

 

OCtober-een!

October 4

Grand Blade Trials

Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (3)
Blade - (3)
Soap - Arko
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum, The Veg

Back to the Viking's Sword today and an extra shave to test low aggression on the blade. After yesterday's barely DFS I decided to see if an extra click on the Slim would make a difference. We know it does on the Personna Red and Generic but how about on this one? The BoS and Arko for a stunning lather and off we go.

First pass did sound a bit louder than yesterday so I suspect it's doing a bit more work. However, at the end of the pass the feel wasn't significantly different. Still lots to do. Second pass, XTG and a third pass ATG and Slide. Noticed a little redness on my neck that wasn't there after yesterday. I know my technique was good. So maybe it's something maybe it's not.

Alum proved that something was indeed up. Neck was pretty hot all over so apparently the extra gap created some irritation. As for the finish? DFS. Better than yesterday but not so much better that I think it was worth the irritation. An interesting result since I haven't really compared blades on 2 and 3 on consecutive days before. Tomorrow I'll go 6 and we'll see if it takes off like the rest of its cousins.

On another note today was head shave time and I had a new Astra loaded up. Definitely noticed how much better that fresh blade did over last week's blade on its third shave. I normally go three shaves with it but think I may stop at two now. I mean, come on, I only do head shaves once a week. Using a blade twice means I'd use 26 blades a year. I have almost 200. I'm good for awhile so why not get a better experience overall, right?

Another day closer to the 31st and today, a costume idea for the special lady in your life. Again, thanks to Mother Russia.

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Before you ask.....No, the girl doesn't come with the costume.

 

Does the costume come with the girl ?

 

Neal, I'm hoping H1 is 1st quarter 1962. My birth year is 1961, and I've been scooping up the Gs. I hope I got it right.

And if that's you in the photo, I take back all the bad things I've ever said about you.

 

It does come with "a girl" but the age range varies. You pay your money you take your chances.

 

I stand corrected. H1 is indeed 1962. A typo on my part. And if that was me in the photo? I would have a mirror in front of me instead of a computer!

 

Thank you for the kind words Doug. I am glad I am not the only one. Watching the videos posted on ATG forum gave me the clue.

 

I am sure you'll get the SR shaving and blade maintenance sorted in time.

 

I'll have to see if I can find those videos.

 

I haven't been really good about documenting my focus results recently. My focus for September will be continued in October. Going to continue to work on refining my edges and sharpening razors myself. Not going to do a set amount of shaves on each razor, just going to try to get it to a point where if I found a new home for it, I wouldn't be embarrassed to call it "Shave Ready," which is a pretty subjective term. I still have a few razors I haven't used yet, but I am going to try to keep with my own edges. I do have a business trip this month, so will be using an OC for that one. Also going to use my B&M Lime, Lavender, & Cedarwood soap every other shave. Trying to use it up. (I may or may not have more soap inbound...)

Today's shave was round three with this Burrell Top Flight. The maker of this razor once shared and address with Charles Monkhouse, of C-MON fame. This is my third attempt to dial in this edge. Ended up doing a lot more laps with two layers of tape, and just slowing things down and polishing it as best I could. Face, chin, and jawline are BBS, and neck is CCS. I'll call this shave a DFS, and call the razor shave ready.

 

I have had a gold finished one for a couple of years with no problems. It probably hasn't been used more than a couple dozen times, but it's all still there.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Razor: Timeless OC w/Hempel Ti
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Brush: Elite Razor Tres Amigo Desert Ironwood Beehive w/Envy White
Soap: Route 66 Twisted Tweed
Aftershave: Booster Iced Lime
Excellent shave with these tools. Close comfortable DFS. I have a few weeps I'm keeping an eye on so no BBS today.