December 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Decadent December 2016 - Day 6



...really wanna stop using Arko, but I just can't. If that's not true decadence for me, then I just don't know how! Actually picked it up and started by accident. Photo was post shave. The alum was really quiet today, and like @NCoxSTL , I managed to nick myself slightly, albeit under the Adam's apple in my case. No big deal. Currently sitting in my garage, heated to 65f. It's about 10f and snowing hard on the other side of that door, so I think I'll just stay right here and have a pipe whilst I peruse the forum. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

 

Go for the one pass ATG gold!

What's the worst that could happen?

 

I am gonna try pasted balsa on a Torrey I've got, it will shave, but it needs refreshing. If that won't do it...off to the honemeister.

 

A nice shave, pipe, warm room to smoke it in and read about shaving.....who cares about the snow on the other side of that door eh?

 

@Boojum1 is still winning.

 

This is the compromise choice. I don't smoke my pipes indoors. My favorite activity while smoking is stargazing into the dark Colorado sky. I'll do that as long as it's about 28f or above. Tonight though...it's more like TSD, talk radio, and Orlik Golden Sliced from a vintage Kaywoodie in the garage.

 

Thank you, it is definitely one of my 'show queens.'

 

December 6, Decadence

Gillette Black Beauty ( 3)
Schick Plus Platinum (9)
New-to-me Muehle Silvertip Fibre synthetic
Proraso White soap
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original
Clubman V I Bay Rum a/s

In switching from a Dual Comb to a Decadent focus, I was going to start by exploring a Castle Forbes soap and aftershave sample. However I woke this morning with a headcold and sinus headache and have very little sense of smell. No sense wasting what is supposed to be a very nice lavender on a malfunctioning nose. So I went with my older tub of Proraso White soap instead.

I recently picked up a lot of four lightly used brushes from a member on another forum -- Muehle medium-small silvertip and black synthetics, an Omega boar and an Edwin Jagger medium-sized Super Badger. I plan to testdrive them all this month.

I started today with the first Muehle and quite enjoyed it. I had no problem whipping the lather with it in the bowl and it felt great on the face. I noticed also that my lather is now much better than what I used to get from the Proraso soap.

I went for an easy careful shave to avoid my healing weepers and managed to avoid reopening any this time. The alum stung on a couple existing sore spots but was otherwise quiet and cooled down with the Thayers.

After which I warmed my face up again with the Virgin Island Bay Rum and temporarily unplugged my nose. In fact, I could actually smell the aftershave. It's the first time I have tried a scented aftershave since my first try years ago with Aqua Velva resulted in bad headaches. I will have to see how this one does that way, but so far I quite like it. I also have a bottle of Juniper tonic from Supply Provision (with the matching soap) as well as samples of four other splashes including the CF lavender that I also intend to testdrive this month -- once my nose clears enough to smell them.

All in all, I think my month of decadence is off to a good start.

 

Great picture, Mark!

 

You just keep nailing it. The new Iphone and tripod holder are really working well. The pictures are fantastic.

 

December 7, 2016
Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti
Feather Super Pro (7)
BSB 2 Two Band
MdC Original
Witch Hazel
Fine Lavender

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The BSB just seems made to work with MdC. The size of the brush makes it very easy to load the soap from the container. Even better the 2 band knot provides good scrub and no scritch as I face lather. I really like this little brush. Believing in "No need to fix something that works", I stayed with my a 2 pass, XTG &ATG, shave followed by minimal touch ups. Not feeling the need to chase the baby, I ended up with a near BBS which is more than acceptable. I finished up with a splash of Fine Lavender. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

Gillette Flat Bottom English Tech Bulldog handle
Gillette 7O'Clock Blue (4)
Semogue BC Mistura
Institut Karite Shave Soap
Alum

Another nice shave this morning. Enjoy your day...

 

My first week with a Feather blade gave me 5 good shaves. I've decided to go ahead and use Feathers for the rest of the month. I'm shifting to a vintage Merkur 3 piece for the fresh blade.

 

December 7 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Bay Rum SS
Gillette Slim
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman VI Bay Rum AS

This was a strong first shave for the Slim. This is actually my second Slim, which I picked up a while back from the local antique shop. I have it set on 3, and thought I could have dialed it up a but during the shave, but I am an easy DFS verging on BBS. My face feels great, as it was an irritation free shave. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Thank you Jim.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Last night.....



-PAL Injectomatic
-Stirling Finest 24mm Fan
-Soap Commamder Courage
-Proraso Green Splash

My shave was so good last night that I hit the recliner and promptly fell asleep!

I was pretty excited to try out my new PAL. It is a fun razor, almost funky in its coloring, which gives a nice shave. My best description is that is shaves like a Schick G and feels like a J. It is a fun add to the collection.



Stirling is selling a two band fan for $40 that could easily go for 80-100 and you wouldn't feel robbed, so that was a fun new pickup. They do have the M7 handle in black if the obnoxious orange isn't your style. (I love it, but I'm kind of loud myself )

 

Toaday's shave, like all M-F shaves, are workman-like. Hot water prep, lather up and get it on. Today's cream was Simpsons Unscented. After shave, Aramis. There was a change in technique. To get my jawline, I was pulling the skin up. That was leaving patches at the end. So I went back to just following the contour WTG. Worked out much better. The settings for my SA-109 are staying the same, "7" and "5". The Astra green is still holding up well. Have a great day Gents!!

 

December 7, 2016

Razor: M3 Schick Adjustable (4)
Blade: Chick (3)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Mineral Fusion/Dove Hydrating Cream
A/S: Every Man Jack Face Lotion

Best shave so far this week with the Schick Adjustable, definite DFS+. Alum was pretty quiet but I pulled out the EMJ as I seemed to be a bit dry and had some irritation at the corners of my mouth (an area I always need to be mindful about).

The Adjustable seems to have a different feel about it from my DE razors and even from my Schick J1. I think I may be starting to understand it, though.

 

I have three of mine on the way from him now. I second the recommendation.