December 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Great picture, Charlie!

 

Thanks Jim! I hope you are doing well!

I enjoy following you journey with the Slim and now with the Black Beauty! The Nutcracker in your photo reminds me of Christmas morning.

 

Now, that's pure decadence! Great set up today, Clint. That razor is a looker!

 

So your post got me interested, and I went back down and fiddled around a bit. I don't know how badly the original ones moved. With an AC style blade, I couldn't get them to move. None. With an injector, I could wiggle it a bit, but had to use the tip of a jack knife to get it to move. A DE blade was the same thing. Maybe a hair easier, but I could move it. I could not imagine being able to make this happen when actually shaving with it. It took a lot of force to do get it to move, then a lot of force to get it to move back. Almost like it would shift (click) on its center axis point where the screw is.

I will be using this a lot in the next month or so, so I will let you know. Thanks for the heads up tho. It might end up more of an AC user only.

 

Oof. Terrifying.

 

Thank you Charlie.

 

Beautiful set up and photo, Doug. The Red Tip is a fine razor, and five shaves on the Polsilver blade - that's impressive.

It takes Marine Corps determination to get those beautiful wintertime SOTD photos.

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Congrats on getting the MWF as a gift! I had better success with this soap when I used the puck like a shave stick. I literally rubbed the puck on my face and then did a face lather. It made a huge difference for me.

 

SOTD 12/12/16
Razor: Case Brothers Tested XX
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Horsehide/ linen
Brush: Dubl Duck M2 with Omega boar
Soap: Mama Bear Oak Moss and Lavender
Post: Cold Water, Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel
Aftershave: The Shave Den Purple Rain 2x Iced

Decedent December. My oldest American straight, from around 1902-1904 I think. This thing was hand forged in a barn in Little Valley, NY. Glen did the restore, with wenge wood scales and a turquoise wedge. Love the shape and look of the razor. Super soft Omega boar, and a luxurious lather from the Mama Bear soap. I know everyone thinks they need tallow for an amazing lather. Mama Bear soaps proves that wrong. This is a cold process glycerin soap, and her scents are amazing, as is her customer service. She also makes great bath bars. My first pass was a little tuggy, so I stropped the blade on chromium oxide, linen, and leather before the second pass. Smooth XTG pass, and a great ATG pass. Enough cushiony lather left for three more passes, but I had a solid DFS after 3. Alum was pretty quiet, the Lavender witch hazel calmed it right down, and complemented the soap nicely. Finished off with the amazing scent of Purple Rain, and a nice menthol chill. 12 hours post shave now, and I can only feel whiskers if I go against the grain. Nice decadent shave.

 

Thanks Charlie! This has been a very good month of shaves so far. So far, my wife has been very understanding with the nutcrackers.

 

Terrific setup, Jared. I'm likin' that Irving Barber shavette!

 

So I went to my drug pusher's place and the dealer's crib today - you know - Dr. and Walgreens - and while I was waiting on them to fill my prescription I checked out the shaving aisle. Saw the Cremo that I keep thinking of trying. Just because. But, a couple of other items caught my eye. I hadn't seen them before nor heard of them but how about a razorless option to get that shave done? That's right, one creme, one powder that you mix with water to make a creme and then rub them on, let them sit for 4 minutes (or if needed 7 maximum, they were clear on maximum) then wipe off with a wet cloth. Seems like there might be a few risks involved with these. Since the powder says you have to wait 36 hours after using a razor to use it and insists you can't if there are any cuts, scratches etc., I'm thinking it could be rather caustic. The powder has a line that it's formulated for black men so maybe it's more familiar in the black community. I've never heard any of my black friends and inlaws in the past talk about this kind of thing. Anyway, an interesting find that did NOT come home with me.

 

I would strongly encourage you NOT to try these. I was dared to try one in my teens. They are indeed for black men, who have a much curlier beard than I do, and my friends at least, a much less facial hair and open pores on their faces. This is a lime solution that melts the hair until you can wipe or squeegee it off. And it freaking burns if you have acne.

On a related note, if you take the cream and put it into the captain of the wrestling team's hair gel container, be sure that either A) Nobody saw you do it, or B) you can out run the wrestling team.

 

I was on the track team so that should be covered. Although I was a distance runner so as long as I can outlast their sprint I should still be good. Thanks! Something about a product that melts hair just doesn't sound good. For anyone.

 

Today's gear:
Schick G1 Injector
TOBS Sandalwood Soap
RazoRock Plissoft Big Bruce
Barbasol Brisk AS

I'm a few shaves in to Schick now. I'm starting to understand all of the love for the form and design of the razor. I did my first blade change today, and it could not have been easier. The only quibble I have about it is that the blade does not seem quite as sharp as what I am used to. Is there a blade other than the Schick blades that might be a bit sharper?

The TOBS was fantastic as always. And the Barbasol Brisk, which I found on clearance at our Family Dollar for $1.25, may now be my favorite aftershave. Great smell, great face feel.

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As total noob, just a month in to wet shaving, it all feels deliciously decadent.


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Welcome to The Shave Den! Jump right in and join us!

 

Welcome aboard!

 

I use the Chinese Shicks, and they work well for me. You might check the thread on riding the cap. Same process works to dial in an injector to get the blade to the most comfortable angle.

 

As far as blades go, I would tend to agree with you. There really only are two widely used production blades today: the Schicks you are using, and blades made by Personna. Blades are an immensely personal thing, and while plenty of people say they get great shaves from Personnas, it SEEMS like the general consensus is a preference for the Schicks.

Myself, I'm not sure I can tell the difference if I don't know. I buy the Schicks, because even though they are mure expensive, the blade package/loader is a much better unit. I have nothing but trouble loading blades out of the plastic Personna cases.

Your only other real options are to look for vintage, or to cut down Feather Artist Club style blades, and load them into an injector case.

I think @jmudrick has found some other Japanese made blades. Maybe he can help you out.