NOVember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

November 19 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Port-au-Prince SS
Gem Junior
Stirling Unscented PSB
Fine Fresh Vetiver

After a few days with some Injectors, it was interesting to compare the Gem Junior. I honestly found this razor to be smoother than the Schick, which was a bit of a surprise. I was very rushed, so I did a very quick two passes. I ended with a CCS, but that was really due to lack of technique. The razor was very comfortable. This really has me considering how many of the Injectors I will be keeping.

I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Jim, I felt the same way. I find the Gem razors to be smoother and more efficient shavers than the Schick injectors I have tried. I gifted one injector and traded one other. I still have on injector, a Schick I1, that I am not sure I will be keeping.

 

You are correct it is a beautiful photo. I have a snow blower, and only use a shovel for a cleanup around my chin.

 

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I'm with NCoxSTL - I'll participate. But I think my participation, in all honesty, is gonna focus on the cookies (don't hate me).

 

Wow! That's a fast camera.

 

Nobody will ever hate you for focusing on cookies.

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Welcome @Mister Fizz ! Glad you jumped right in. I'm guessing you've lurked a while as you came straight into our shenanigan filled group. Don't be shy with these guys. They respect anything with a sharp edge as long as you are working at improving your shaves.

Tell us about your current setup, or the new-to-you gear you'll be working with!

 

Razor: Gillette Goodwill 1930's Ball End Open Comb w/ iKon Handle
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (7)
Brush: Omega Barber Pole w/Silvertip
Soap: Proraso
Aftershave: Proraso

Ended up with a pretty good shave. Although I like the looks of this brush, I'm not a fan of a floppy knot. The knot in this brush is very floppy. I will put it and install another knot before I use it again. The razor and blade worked well together and 7 days with a blade is a good result for me. Not a bad aftershave. The Proraso soap has a nice cooling effect, however, I don't find it as slick as some of my other soaps.

 

Doug, while you are deciding on another knot, you can wrap a rubber band around the knot above the handle. This will shorten the effective loft and help with the back bone. Proraso does have a nice cooling effect and like you I find it seriously lacking in slickness. I've heard the cream is better in this regard than the soap.

 

Thanks Clint, that is a good idea. I usually use "O" rings for that, but I'll try an elastic first and do a test lather with a different soap.

 

Thanks for the "O" ring idea, I had never thought of that one. That would work better as a semi permanent solution.

 

"Anything with a sharp edge". When has "sharp" been a requirement for us to try something?

 

Shave 31

Recycled picture. As I used the same setup tonight. I wanted to see if I could replicate the last shave.

Short answer NO. It was a. Very nice shave. Not as close as last time. Still a shave I will proudly take.

I am not thinking about my off hand anymore. This is a great thing. I will keep the same ritual for another week. Then I will start to concentrate on how to get my neck better.

Tom


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By next Mayhem celebration I plan to be well skilled with a Weck shavette. That ought to make the popsickle sticks and staples a cinch. Should I find myself camping near any outcroppings of flint or in a post apocalyptic scenario I would have brought a P-38 that would supply non-rusty can lids. I'm still looking for a P-51 to open gallon cans.

 

You know, with the right grip and technique.......maybe that in itself would work.

 

NOVember!!

November 19

Grand Blade Trial

Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (2)
Blade - (1)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Alum


Back for three days with the V12 Super Platinum blade to see what this Indian blade has to offer. It's a bit of a mystery given that the information I have is it is made by Great White Global Pvt. Ltd. in Mumbai. Checking their website I discovered they are an electrical company. Nary a mention of a razor blade, shaving, anything of that sort. So, since discovering it is made by an electrical company I decided to insert the blade into an electrical socket just to see...........oh come on now, even I wouldn't do that. It's just a bit strange that the company is all about electrical equipment and nothing else. I've sent an email asking for info. We'll see if anyone in India is answering email these days.

Lathered up the Arko and set about the first pass on the very mild 2 setting. I can hear the feedback so know it's cutting and it is very smooth. First pass seemed to include decent reduction and the second XTG pass was also noisy and seemed effective. The third pass, ATG and Slide was a nice finish and very audible as it went S-N by my ears. The result? No nicks, cuts, or even any burn from the alum. I could, however, use a bit closer shave. The finish is a decent CCS. Nothing to write home about. I may have to do a one pass quickie tomorrow before heading to work at noon but.....I could go an entire day on the shave as it is now. It just wouldn't be as smooth as I'm used to by mid day.

From the feel of the blade and this result on the 2 I'm thinking the blade isn't the sharpest in town. But it is smooth and I'm looking forward to opening up to 6 tomorrow and taking it for a spin at a setting better suited to it. Maybe by then I'll have mail back to end my confusion as to its origin as well as end my temptation to stick stainless steel sharp objects in electrical sockets. The things I do for science. Or almost do. Or would do for the right amount of money.

Brisk and windy today in the Lou. Sunny skies though. Hope you're having a great weekend and getting the turkey ready to go for later in the week.

Thought I'd found a picture of an Indian barber shop. But......well, close?

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Day 2 with Crowne and Crane and today is the boar test. Still breaking in my Jararuh 122 so it got the call today. Also my just refreshed Dovo Master's series.

C&C worked fine with the boar and this time I was able to keep the lather at good wet consistency for SR shaving. The edge was very smooth today, this straight is made from stainless steel and while I really can't feel the difference between my stainless and carbon blades this razor always takes a nice edge. Four passes sans blood and sans irritation plus an nice smooth mug, definitely an excellent shave. Next shave I will turn up the heat on the C&C.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A+ Sharpness A

 

Proraso is one of my favorites, the green and red. The white sensitive formula, not so much. I would agree, though, that there are slicker soaps. Although if you get Proraso super wet it can hang in there with the best of them. Still, the Fat or Tabac slicked up outshine Proraso in my book.

 

Great picture, Keith. I really like how the Dovo Master looks. It sounds like a good shaver as well.

 

November 20, 2016
Wolfman WR-01 Ti OC with Hempel Ti
Feather
“Los Tres Amigos Dos” CH 2 Synthetic LE
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood
Witch Hazel

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After 21 shaves with the vintage Personna 74 it was nice to load a fresh Feather into the Wolfman. I did notice that while the Feather was sharper it was also more harsh. When using Feathers all the time I do not notice the harshness. The CH2 synthetic whipped up the RP Dragon's Blood into a rich slick lather. I truly enjoy the way this scent fills the room and lingers long after the shave. After 3 passes and some touch ups I managed to catch the baby. I really can't ask for better. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.