OCtober 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

OCtober-een!

October 7

Grand Blade Trials

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

First of all, to all of you who sent birthday wishes, thank you so much. I spend time on Facebook as well and I was happy to note today that I got more birthday wishes here than Facebook and I like that fact. Of course, Facebook is largely my political rant spot so perhaps that has something to do with the difference in the two crowds. But, I digress. I woke up a year older today (well, not officially until 11:31 pm tonight CDT) and with a new and the last of the new Israeli blades on deck. For a moment I thought about switching to a different setup for the day but decided to go forward. I'll break stride to use the new Fatip when it arrives next week. That will be my birthday shave.

The Tomy is a stainless blade and the first thing I noticed about it was.....it's a totally blank blade. No printing or branding on the blade itself at all. The only other blades I've found with absolutely nothing on them were the Van der Hagen Ice Tempered blades, which suck, and the Kai which I really like. Also, the blade feels a bit thicker and stiffer than the rest have. Not sure if there really is a difference or how significant, just an observation that hit me. I have to say, having a blank blade doesn't foster too much confidence, although as I said the Kai is excellent and does the same thing.

First pass on the Slim 2 setting was a bit underwhelming and I debated switching to 3 at that point but decided to persevere. The XTG went somewhat better as far as reduction went. I will say that the blade was providing some audible feedback and was smooth on both passes. It just didn't seem to reduce as much the first pass as the second. ATG and Slide for the final pass and I know it's not going to be BBS. But how far will it go? Seemed like a pretty decent CCS at the time but I held off judging until later in the day. Based on the regrowth during the day up to now I would have to say I made it to DFS this morning. Fairly impressive and, again, a better result than the Reds gave. Not as good as the Crystal/Qball blades but.....it was a good shave overall. DFS and no alum feedback so irritation was nonexistent. I'll take it. We'll dial up to 6 tomorrow and take it for a spin where all of the Israeli's have shown their stuff.

Came home tonight to a steak dinner just coming off the grill by my lovely wife in honor of another trip around the sun together. And, the boys are preparing a small toast for me even as we speak. I think it will be a good night.

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I'm a little late to the party, but happy birthday to Neal!! @NCoxSTL

 

My only Superspeeds are a '59 Flare Tip (birth year) and a '47 and '49. I have considered a blue and red tip but not sure, other than just for collecting, they'd be of much use in my rotation. If I want to experience the blue tip I can always borrow my wife's '65 Lady Gillette. Essentially the same razor with a long handle and some sparklies. For the red tip I'll just dial up on the Slim I suppose. Now, if I found them at the right price at the right time I'm sure they'd end up on my shelf.

 

Вы чтите меня мою верноподданного.

 

And I had your name on a tag for that one.

 

Hello TSD

Shave #5 of my October focus:



Today I ALMOST nailed it - and then there was blood

The only change in comparison to the last setup was the brush - I had to try the Tuxedo. And it did not disappoint. Super soft and at the same time pretty dense, which results in quite a bit of backbone. And boy, this brush whips up some serious lather. I face lather almost exclusively and the Tuxedo did a fantastic job. It does not splay as easily as the Maggard or my Mühle STF but it is in no way stiff or springy (like for example the Omega S-brush). I'd say it behaves similar to the Whipped Dog, but feels softer. Excellent brush

This was the second time I used the Reef Point soap and I think I managed to fine-tune the amount of water this time. It needs just a little more than I used last time. Very slick lather, nice cushioning - I'm impressed.

With the Feather I really focused on a very light touch this time - and up until the final strokes I was very successful. Good reduction, just a single pass W/XTG for a very clean shave. And then, the finish line right before my eyes, I tilted the razor slightly and cut myself at the corner of my mouth. I could see a loose strip of skin about an inch long, but not too wide fortunately. I used a styptic pencil to stop the bleeding, muttered some words I won't repeat in public, rinsed my face with cold water and called it quits for today.

Anyways - despite the fact that I look a bit like the Joker now it was a very nice shave

Have a great day

 

October 8 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Gatlinburg SS
PAA DOC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Gatlinburg AS

It was another great shave with the Phoenix DOC, even if it was a bit rushed. I got a DFS out of this razor. The Stirling Gatlinburg has me in the mood for a morning in the woods. Unfortunately, it is going to be a morning in a refinery. I'll be outdoors, but I doubt the smells will be as nice as some of the woods around here. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Spoken by a true 30 Day guy. "My ear is hanging down with blood spurting but hey, a nice DFS". Seriously, nice job. That last moment of blood will become a non-issue in short order. Well done.

 

October 8, 2016
Wolfman WR-01 OC + Ti with Triad Ti
Feather (2)
BSB2 with Vie Long 2 Band Fan
Route 66 Twisted Tweed
Witch Hazel
Floid Blue

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I truly enjoy shaves where everything just clicks. Today was one of those days. This little brush is a pleasure to use. I love the wall of badger feeling and the gentle scritch as I face lather. As always, the Route 66 was very easy to lather. In general I prefer soaps that are very slick and Route 66 fills the bill perfectly. I went with a normal 3 pass shave going WTG, XTG and ATG paying attention to my normal trouble spots as I went. Rubbing a wet hand across my face revealed a super close shave. So with the residual slickness, I chased the baby and caught the little beast. This shave would pass a Drill Sgt's inspection. A splash of Floid Blue and I am ready for a relaxing day with family and friends. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

 

Saturday, OCtober 8, 2016

Shavemac 400 Silvertip D01 Two Band
I Coloniali Mango
Timeless OC with UFO TiTan Fine L
Personna 74 #8
Fine L'Orange Noir


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Great picture, Mark!

 

Thanks for the kind words Jim. Have a great weekend!

 

I really like the 4! Beautiful Doug

Sent from my Galaxy S6 using Tapatalk

 

It's just a flesh wound!

 

Dr. Jon's Soap
Doug Korn Brush
Otto Deutsch Hans
$&@# spike!
Alum
Styptic pencil
Styptic powder
Lucky Tiger
Toilet paper
Styptic powder
Ogallala Bay Rum
Toilet paper and pressure.
Have a great weekend!
I believe @HolyRollah told me this tip is muted. I hate to think what I would look like if it wasn't. This has been my hardest Razor to master. Great shaver, but it tends to leave an occasional deep scratch.
I will figure out what I'm doing wrong!
Have fun!

 

October 8

It's a no-shave day for me. I typically take one day off a week. I usually get a better shave on two days of growth, and I'm curious to see how the New LC will perform. I'll report back tomorrow.

I hope everyone has a great Saturday. My Bride and I just returned from a two-mile walk, and the weather was perfect.

 

Quick question-

How do you prepare your face for a great shave? Before I shave, I typically wash my face twice with plenty of warm water and Stirling's Sheep Soap. I find it to be very moisturizing, and it leaves my face feeling slick and ready for the shave cream or soap. During the day, I try to drink plenty of water. At night, I typically wash my face again with the Stirling soap and then finish with unrefined shea butter.

Not too long ago, I would have been the first guy to say this was overkill. We went on an extended trip last year, and I skipped much of my routine and used a hand cream for my aftershave treatment. My face progressively got worse with bumps, redness, etc. When I got home and returned to my routine, everything cleared up in just a few days.

What do you do, and how is it working for you?

 

well, at least now I know why you guys called it the pain stick But I won't let that spoil my shaving fun!

 

SOTD October 8, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: Artisan badger
Lather: Stirling Barbershop
Post: Witch hazel splash, Stirling Barbershop aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, XTG

Back to the Stirling focus after yesterday's sidetrack with the Fat. Nice shave this morning. Went with two full passes which is a little more than my normal one pass and touch-up. I'm pretty darn smooth. The point of my chin and lower right of my neck aren't completely smooth, but I'll live with that. Those are trouble areas regardless. The Stirling soap lathered better with today's badger than the synthetic I used last week. I'm smooth and refreshed.

Have a great Saturday!