OCtober 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Top three words of advice. Easy.

Don't.
Cut.
Yourself.

Ok, so maybe to simple. No pressure...let the razor do the work. Do a 30 Day Rule (explained in the first post in this thread...ask if you need more info) to set your technique. Learn to ride the cap. It will save you from unnecessary blood.

 

1. Ride the cap - this alleviates the cause of 90% of all issues, remember, light pressure, just wipe the lather away with the blade.
2. Minimal Prep. Your great grandfather didn't have a 17 point process for shaving, you don't need one either!
3. 30 Day Rule. Merkur 34, (any blade you like, only one brand though), one brush, one soap. 30 Days. Don't repeat all the mistakes of the thousands before you. This is like golf. Buy all the clubs and balls and whatever you like, but it won't matter until you actually learn to play golf.

It's easy. It's fun. There is a little learning curve, a little blood, and much satisfaction.

Let's do this!

 

(Meme authors often can't spell)

 

(tear wells up, slowly trickles down left cheek)

 

I think that's the cue for a mid-month group hug. Extra cute edition.

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there are times when I really miss the states...

 

Today was the hot water test for Tabac and for reason that can only be unlocked from sub-consience from a first rate shrink I decided to go with my Robert Williams Purist, my most scary and blood thirsty straight. Why do I say that? I have used used Tabac for years but this is the first time with super hot water from the tea kettle in the scuttle.

Many people think if the water is to hot it destroys the lather, I find this true for some soaps but for other soaps it works fine. The key is while the lather is really hot it look to runny and like it has to many bubbles. As soon is it hit the face and cools a little the lather turns nice and creamy. Well the Tabac seemed to work for the first two passes but failed for pass three and four. I did poor some boiling water on the top of the puck to soften it up and that worked great.

As I stropped the Robert William I kept looking at the very sharp point and heel and remembering how many times I cut myself including on the ear and nose. I said no problem, last time I did not draw any blood with this razor and these days my SR shaves even with the Feather DX are blood free. During the first pass I did hold the razor flat enough and before I could feel anything there was a line of blood on my cheek. I caught myself with the point . This one the easiest part of the easiest pass. One thing I will say for this razor it does take a very sharp edge, I did not feel a thing. Well I finished my shave but used a Rocnel SE for the final pass on my throat. I finished BBS and no irritation but I do have to downgrade the irritation grade this shave due to the cut.

Irritation B Closeness A Smoothness B+ Sharpness A+

 

Thanks y'all! I appreciate the well thought out answers and I value your opinions!!

 

Saturday, October 14, 2016

Ever Ready C-40 Envy White
Fine American Blend
Timeless OC with TRIAD Aristocrat Ti
Personna 74 #14
Fine American Blend Aftershave


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I love the twist designs!!

 

Man, you guys have been on a roll. A guys takes a few days off to enjoy a nice surprise stay in the hospital only to find 200+ messages to go through. Looks like lots of good times and some new members to the the thread. Looking forward to getting caught up and back to shaving in SE Texas.

 

Glad to have you back. Hope you are on the mend.

 

October 15, 2016
Timeless OC .95 Gap with Triad Ti
Feather (1)
Rudy Vey R7 with Shavemac Finest
Route 66 Twisted Tweed
Witch Hazel
Floid Blue

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I enjoy Saturday morning shaves since I am able to take more time and enjoy the process. The big R7 whipped up a mountain of rich slick lather. On the advise of Mark, @Boojum1 I tried my shortest razor handle with the Timeless OC. The short handle works better with the steep angle. Three passes and minimal clean up ended in a inspection ready BBS shave. My personal best with the Timeless OC. Thanks for the tip Mark. I finished off the shave with a splash of Floid Blue and I am ready for a relaxing day with family and friends. I hope everyone has a fantastic Saturday.

 

Thanks, Clint. The doctors think I am getting by well enough. I've got a nice new 8" scar in my gut, but chicks dig scars don't they? Not sure my wife does, but she is thankful this is coming to an end.

 

Trust me I understand. In December 2002, I had a ruptured colon and the incision took 21 staples to close. Take it easy and don't rush things. Cuts in the gut take time to heal.

 

I love surprise stays in the hospital. They always give me the good drugs. Seriously, hope you're feeling much better and chicks do dig scars for that manly man look.

 

Agreed. Although there are some "controversial" blades which are best avoided until you feel comfortable with a DE razor, lest you think they are all this way. A list of potentially controversial blades includes:

• van der Hagen (The orange boxed ones at Target)
• Derby
• Merkur's own blades
• Dorco (and the MicroTouch One-branded blades)
• Any "Dollar Store" blade from Korea or Vietnam (Israeli-made blades from the Supermarket or drugstore are okay)
• Most Chinese-made blades

Let me caveat that list by saying that blades are very much a YMMV situation and many people have great success with one or more of the blades in this list. But, as a new DE shaver, there may be a temptation to run out and grab something available locally (which many of these are), only to be disappointed.

One of the best ways to start is a blade sampler from tryablade.com. Skip the really huge one and go with something like the top 10 best sellers sampler.

For the impatient who want to run out, grab some blades, and get started, I'd recommend the following which can be found locally in many areas:

• Wilkinson Sword from Germany (often at independent drugstores and Harmon beauty)
• Personna "Red" (available at some beauty stores)
• Store-brand Israeli-made blades from supermarket or drugstore (make sure they are from Israel). These are the same as the Personna Red blades
• Gillette Platinum Plus (available at some Walgreens stores)

 

New here and hope you feel better!!

 

Beautiful razor!!

 

Thank you. Welcome to the 30 day crew.