OCtober 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Shhhhhhhhhhh

 

Dave, welcome to the OCtober focus! You're in the right place to work on your DE shaving technique. We're all here to learn, help each other, and have fun along the way. Shenanigans are OK, or else they would have kicked me out a long time ago!

You mentioned using a Feather blade...hmmm...excellent choice... In all seriousness, once your technique is solid, you might appreciate the sharpness of the Feather blade. Our distinguished Comrade, @NCoxSTL, is our esteemed blade advisor, so I will defer all further blade commentary to him.

Welcome!

 

Feather sucks. End commentary.

Ok, ok, so I've had my fun. Feathers are a great blade, if a bit harsh for some and yes, newbies can have some problems. However, paired with the correct razor (usually a milder one) they can produce a BBS better than most out there ever do. While I will always promote the superiority of Russian blades (I am the Czar of the blade Cartel after all) I will say that Feather has some unique abilities that make them a fine choice. When it comes to AC blades? I love my Kai's.....but Feather is still the gold standard for those.

 

I hope to become a news editor/reporter in my next career. Neal, how did I do on your quote?

 

You may have a career in diplomacy and/or propaganda. But, it appears to be true talent.

 

OCtober-een!

October 13

Grand Blade Trials

Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (2)
Blade - (1)
Soap - Arko
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum

Well this night time shaving is a bit different but I think I like it. My only question is what to do if I wake up and really need a shave to be perfect for work. My plan is a one pass to make it through the day so it doesn't mess up the level of beard for the night time Trial shaves. That should work if needed. I started my morning with a nice Veg splash at the end of my shower. So I"m not missing out there either.

The Grand Blade Trials resume today with the Treet Falcon blade. This is a carbon steel blade I've used before. My memory of it is a bit rusty (no pun intended) but that's probably a good thing. I never forget a horrible blade so this one couldn't have beenthat.

2 on the Slim to get us started and Arko and BoS for the lather. Kind of nice being able to take some extra time on lather in the evenings. And, on a side note, I started this particular Arko stick on July 15th so it's almost three full months and I'll probably go at least another month before needing to change out. That makes my 12 pack a three to four year supply of Arko. Incredible value and lather.

First pass was quite nice. The blade is very vocal, as carbons usually are, and provided ample evidence that it was working. Nice and smooth and trouble free. The second pass, XTG, provided the same feel and effect. And the third pass, ATG and Gillette Slide, finished to a nice DFS. No complaints at all. Carbon blades are a bit old school (ok, so maybe more than a bit) but I always enjoy them. Again, it's the vintage lover in me. Probably for me one of the most fun shaves recently was the 1912 Gem SE with a Carbon blade. Now THAT'S old school. I'm thinking that while the blade got me to DFS with this shave it can do better at higher gaps and aggression. We'll find out, one way or the other.

Since Treet blades hail from Pakistan I thought an idea for a traditional Pakistani look might work for Halloween. Complete with Huqqa. Classy!

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You definitely have a career in political sound bites.

 

Propaganda is the more accurate I believe. Nothing wrong with propaganda though.......salesmen live on it. So I'm told.

 

Welcome Dave. You picked a great place to get started. Have fun!

 

Today I was sitting in our office break room and one of my co-workers came up and asked me how to get started with "Manly shaving". I told him I would bring him something to start with tomorrow. I have this ready to take to the office in the morning.

This came about because he is fluent in Russian and I asked him to translate the logo on a Soviet razor I have inbound.
This should be fun

 

A 40's Super Speed and Voskhod.......the ultimate starter package! NICE!! Extra points for style and class.

 

Thank you! I hope he enjoys them.

 

So I bit the bullet. Followed the video, on shaving school. 3 passes. Gentle touch and almost a perfect shave. No styptic pencil needed. Alum block only showed mild irritation spots and no bleeding. I can hardly believe it. I guess I was lucky, patient and had great comments to help me get to this point. The Parker butterfly I had used prior to the OC really wasn't working well. These same feather blades, the new Hi-Stainless Platinum coated worked most excellently. I'm thrilled with a smooth shave, no razor burn and taking my time really paid off. This is the set up I am currently using for the 30 day focus.


Thanks for all the encouragement. I might have put the shave off until tomorrow without it. Feeling very happy.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

I tried but could find a way to hold the camera and stretch my skin at the same time. I'd ask my girlfriend but she will think I'm going even crazier and I don't need any comments from the peanut gallery. I will see if I can figure something out.

 

Allot better than my first shave. You are off to a great start.

 

I think the bigger concern with a Chinese OEM is not QC so much as counterfeiting. It's a huge issue with blades coming out of China, coming in the form of both completely bogus copies and also of "off-hours" runs by the actual OEM. I certainly hope that Garret has the accountability in place with his OEM.

Odd that he went with an OEM who never made DE blades before. I would have thought that one of the Indian/Pakistani companies would have been a better choice.

 

SOTD October 14, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel splash, Fine American Blend aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

A break in the Stirling Focus for Fat Friday! Nice shave with Mitchell's Wool Fat. Today's lather was really nice and easily face lathered with the Omega boar. One pass with touch-ups around the neck and jaw and I'm ready for the day. Fine American Blend is a terrific scent and is a Friday staple. All in all a nice shave.

Have a great day!

 

October 14, 2016
Wolfman WR-01 OC + Ti with Triad Ti
Feather (3)
Rudy Vey R7 with Shavemac Finest
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood
Witch Hazel

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Reef Point Dragon's Blood soap continues to impress me. I have found it very easy to lather with exceptional slickness. Sticking with a traditional 3 pass shave ended in a near BBS which is more than good enough for a Friday morning. I finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum. I hope everyone has a great Friday.

 

I get lost in the details while writing it so I tried to take a picture.

 

Congratulations Dave! You're off to a great start, and the shaves will only get better from here.

Ah...Feather blades...the "gold standard" according to our blade expert, @NCoxSTL.