December 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Yeah, we actually do.

 

Yeah I might have to substitute a different musician there. I still have some old Backstreet somewhere....would that count?

 

So if I'm following along correctly, then the following would sum it up, correct?

 

Maybe we should just focus on the adjective meaning.

 

http://www.bruceonshaving.com/2010/07/25/diy-double-edged-safety-razor/

I'll just leave this here.

 

You're right, but I was trying to be sensitive.

 

Decadent December

The Plan

Wow, what a great start to the month! Already some fantastically luxurious and decadent gear being used, Secret Santa packages opened and helping out and Shenanigans, Malarky and Tomfoolery. Does it get any more decadent than this?

Well, I've finally decided how to celebrate the month here. I'm taking the month off from the Grand Blade Trials to help balance things here a bit. You see, as the totally unofficial and in no way real Russian representative here, I have to turn my nose up just a bit at all of this capitalist imperialist decadence. Not that I don't like it, because after all, even KGB agents have their weaknesses.

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So, to get fully in the swing of things from both ends, I plan on using ONLY Russian Steel this month. And not Rubie either, nay, I say, not Rubie. We're talking Voskhod, Rapira, GSB, Ladas, all the good ones. What could be more decadent than that? Clearly this phony Ruskie is stepping over the line of decadence.

But.....I'll pull myself back by using only two razors. Both Russian. No, not the Soyuz 1.....there's a line between fighting decadence and just being stupid. I prefer to stay just outside the stupid line. (Since when, I hear you ask, but I'm ignoring that).

What two Russian razors, you ask? Well, for starters, the Mladost 2. It's a finely engineered DE razor that looks like and adjustable but isn't. As far as Russian razors go it isn't deadly. Or hasn't been yet. Actually I've only used it a couple of times to learn that it kind of sucks, but hey.....TTT right? See, not too crazy. A little practice and the best possible steel in it.....might be onto something there. The second Russian razor? Just for you, @Bama Samurai , the dreaded Rapira. That cheap plastic and metal contraption that is given away with blades or sold cheaply with them. It has the dubious honor of turning Voskhods rough....but again...haven't used it enough to find out if it's salvageable. So this is the month. I'll alternate every three days with these two and a different blade each time. The Russian Steel will feed the decadence, as I will also use Mitchell's or Tabac with my best brushes. The razors should remind me of the glory and harshness of the motherland.

I will be doing something totally different on December 20th. More on that special day later.

Buy your popcorn today, because it all starts tonight.

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A bit of extra construction on that one but I'm thinking Cinco de Enero? Gives us a month to get it together.

 

I haven't shaved with a true straight razor yet (I assumer that is the pain stick?) but I have been shaving with my first shavette for the last couple of weeks. Weck Sextoblade. Used it this morning as a last hurrah before the arrival of the Schick. Super close shave. After the first day (hence my assumption that it is the subject of the pain stick reference), I've gotten quite comfortable with it. I do have a straight that I picked up in a local antique store, but it could use a good honing before I can try it out. Then there's the strop, learning to strop, etc. I'll get there though!

 

"Pain sticks" are Artist Club razors. Disposable blades but either kamisori style straights or the Feather versions do also fold. Here are a couple of pics. The CJB Greager and the Feather SS. Both shave exactly the same, just a difference in handle and head design.

 

Lots. In retrospect. Hence the fun. Had a close call with an elephant too. Honestly, the elephant was scarier. But, YOLO.

 

Ohhhhhh. Nice. I've asked for one of the kamisori style Feathers for Christmas. BRING ON THE PAIN. I was warned about the Weck. Didn't listen. Love it. What's wrong with me?

 

You hang out with us. You're normal as far as we're concerned.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

DECember Decadence

LPL Frenchie soap, British Boar Brush
Schick type L2 & fresh Chick blade
Alum and Pinaud Lilac Vegetal


No musical accompaniment, I'm waiting for the dust to settle on that discussion. I'm not a fan of The Corporate Sponsored Plastic People the music industry throws at teenagers these days. I prefer the ones I consumed when I was buying 45 rpm records.
On to decadent products I chose my highest priced soap & brush, and paired it with my latest razor and new shipment of blades, and finished with longest production run AS. The lather was a little lacking. It works better with a boar brush. The razor being a later issued model tends toward mild so I went full three passes + clean up. Not bad, but I've enjoyed better. I was going easy after my last Weck adventure. This Schick Stick may end up in my Been There Done That pile. My Ranger pickup has a manual transmission, I'd prefer an automatic smooth shave.
Good shaves Y'all!
In the spirit of "Music to upset your parents" here's a tune to shave to

 

Brush Jayaruh #94 with Whipped Dog high mountain badger knot
Soap La Savonnerie Bourbonnaise Savon de Rasage
Razor 1947 Aristocrat
Blade Feather (1)
Luck Tiger aftershave splash with a good amount of Pinaud Lime Sec

For the life of me, I cannot get this soap whipped into a good lather although it is very slick. I will give it one more go with a boar brush to see if I can get enough loaded. Even with a subpar lather, I got a great shave today. I would call it a borderline BBS and maybe the closest shave that I've gotten with a DE. No nicks, cuts, weepers or irritation. I may go with another soap tomorrow. I've put this soap into a larger container so maybe I'll have better luck loading the brush next time. Wonderful start to a decadent December. Great days men, great days.

 

Okay, this comes at a good time. I just started auditioning blades for my SA109(GSB's currently). I give each blade a week. This also means, next month I can do the same for my NEW SC. Sweet

 

Sounds like a good plan. Welcome aboard.

 

Razor: Gillette Flair Tip A 3 1955
Blade: Lord Platinum Class (1)
Brush: Oscar 11 w/ El Druida Manchurian, multi colored handle
Soap: Edwin Jagger Cooling Menthol Cream (Sample)
Aftershave: Stirling Executive Man

Another very close comfortable near BBS shave today. I'm not used to using shave creams, so I ended up with a ton of lather. Did an extra few passes. All in all and excellent shave.

 

That is one very cool looking brush handle.

 

Thanks very much Clint. I see it as a work of art.