December 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Beautiful razor.

 

Thank you, it is an impressive razor. It is heavy, the adjustment action is smooth and it is built like a well engineered tank. I will take some pics from other angles when I take it for it's next shave.

 

Thank you. I look forward to reading your reports as you use the razor.


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December 21 - attitude adjustment or one-way trip to St. Louis?

I've used my R41 the last couple of days loaded with an Astra SP blade. Yesterday's two-pass shave was top notch. In contrast, today's shave was disappointing. I'm a lefty, so I shave primarily with my left hand. I noticed a lot of irritation on my right cheek and neck after the shave was complete. I even have one faint horizontal skin break where I pressed the blade into my cheek. I attribute this to improper blade angle and use of too much pressure on the ATG pass, likely caused by hurrying and overconfidence. The left side of my face and neck is fine, so I'm sure the blade edge is good. I'll have another run at it tomorrow, taking more care and skipping the ATG pass for a day or two. It serves to remind me that I can't overlook the basics no matter how long I've been at it.

I may console myself by purchasing a few hundred more blades. I hope your shave was much better than mine today.

 

If I finish a trade I am working on, I will be down to less than 100 DE blades and about 30 SE blades. With the amount of time I use straights, that's about 10 years worth of blades.

 

Looks like the medication is working!

 

Thursday, December 22, 2016

Simpson Chubby 3 Manchurian
Savionniere Du Moulin Tempete'
LASSC BBS-1
Polsilver Super Iridium #1
Chatillion Lux Delor de Treget Post Shave Toner
Chatillion Lux Delor de Treget Aftershave



​

 

Kai Milds are a good blade and I have had the same experience in a pain stick. Not quite as long lasting as a Feather Pro but not quite as prone to slice and dice either. Dorcos provide the same kind of mild feel but are even less durable, in my experience with them.

 

I had a package all the way from Rome today. Now, I've gotten lots of packages from Russia. (Enough that the postal workers here once questioned me about them. Once they found out what they were they lost interest). I've had packages from Portugal, Turkey, England, China, Japan, South Korea, but never from Rome. Oh wait, that's Rome, GEORGIA. But that's ok....I was waiting on this one.

In it was the Steampunk New that @cmorris357 so generously donated to the raffle and that I was lucky enough to get with the first pick. I'll be shaving with it in a bit so you'll see more of it then. But.....he had also said he was including a surprise. No hints, just something he thought was up my alley and if I had one I could PIF it. Here's what I found -



Well, that's a very pretty red box. And it has Russian lettering on it. Hmmmmm. I'm pretty sure it's a razor of some sort but which one? Well.......



That would be the Soviet Consul adjustable razor. A clear knockoff of Gillette Adjustables (something the Soviets had no qualms about) it is a razor I do now currently own. But I do now! What a great addition to the main prize! This razor has the reputation of being quite a bit more aggressive than the Slim or Fatboy. Gaps are greater at every setting so it will be fun to try out. I may have to do a day on each setting just to see how wild it gets!

Outstanding surprise!! Thanks @cmorris357 for that added bonus!

 

Decadent December!!

December 21

Razor - Steampunk New LC
Blade - (1)
Soap - Route 66 Sweeney Todd
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum

I was waiting all day to come home and get this razor unpacked. It didn't disappoint and I'm loving my choice in the raffle. It was my first choice but there were a couple of things tugging at my elbow when I ended up with the first pick. I'm thrilled I didn't deviate in my plan.

The Gillette New LC is a fine razor no matter what finish it's in. It's one of the best OC razors ever made, IMHO, and delivers a smooth and aggressive shave, but a controlled aggression that I love. My current New LC came with a Ball Tech handle and I switched it out for a Fat Handled Tech handle to balance it better. It is rather a heavy head. Now, with the Steampunk in my den, I have a "whole" New LC with the correct handle and in a totally cool finish. The balance and feel with the correct handle just makes it that much smoother. And it looks awesome sitting there in the rack with its other vintage brethren. Makes the regular New LC look boring.

As far as the shave, well, I decided to pair it up with my other recent gift of the Sweeney Todd and the lather again didn't disappoint. And of course, the Voskhod for its first run in my den. That just goes without saying. Two passes and a half pass to Slide the throat and the baby is in the house. Absolutely fantastic feel and result and total fun doing it. Doesn't get any better than that! I can't thank @cmorris357 too many times for donating it to the raffle, and I can't thank lady luck enough either for letting me have that first shot to land it! Happy official first day of Winter everyone!

 

Very handsome New LC, made better by the Delta Echo refinish. I have my eye on one that's lost it's finish, but looked serviceable. Maybe tomorrow...

 

You're Welcome, Neal. Glad you enjoyed the Long Comb, and looking forward to the trials of the Consul. Like most Russian Knock-offs, it's easy to see what they were going for, but after handling it, you get the impression that somewhere along the line, the phrase, close enough, was invoked.

 

That's a good description of Soviet razors and, in fact, all Soviet manufacturing I've encountered. Except weaponry. They tend to get that right. Although....not always either.

 

Yeah when you build everything like a tank, you get pretty good at building tanks.

 

Thanks Keith! It's just blue and swollen at day's end now. Good news, walking normally and honestly (with a boot tied tight) it did not cause any troubles today. Fortunately, I don't feel it minute to minute.

 

Also @PLAla (Perry)

I literally learned SR by reading @Drygulch (Adam) and @Keithmax (Keith) as they mastered straights. The advice and tips you're being given really work! It takes about 30 shaves total to acquire proper grips, angles, and required pressure. At about 60 total shaves or so, it will start to feel more natural, and by shave 100 it's quite routine. The progress you're making is right on schedule and you are doing well! Keep it at and you'll definitely master it!

 

Very nice Cooper!

 

Face lathered from loaded brush, or bowl lather?

 

That's my favorite sarcastic phrase ever. I use it when working, when I see that the mistake in question has more than one person attached to it. It's not one you want to hear from me.