December 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I love the setup, Doug. It looks festive.

 

-IBC Razor
-DeRuitem 22 mm Silvertip
-Stirling Piacenza
-M-Bomb
-Stirling Black Pepper Lime Splash
-Stirling Limes Balm

I spent WAY too much time trying get my trouble spots to perfect, and really gained nothing but a sore neck and a couple of weepers. No nicks or anything, but not my best effort in general. Better to take what you can get, than have your alum block burst into flames from across the room.

We got up to almost 40 today, and I felt like menthol, but really wanted to use the Piacenza. M-Bomb is absolutely the greatest thing since sliced bread!

Have a good night everyone!

 

Thanks very much.

 

Beautiful brush and pictures.

 

"You can't always get what ya want...."

Glad to hear you're having a heat wave PN. Make sure to put on that sunblock!

 

Jared, thanks for the kind words. Merry Christmas to you and your family!

 

Jared, the razor and brush combo looks fantastic! What kind of blade do you use in the IBC?

 

It is interesting that you asked, because I was having some thoughts on that and was prolly gonna post about it soon, but I need to take a couple of pictures. I have used injector, AC and DE. Long story short, I think it was really meant (or does best) with AC style.

 

It's a very well thought out design, and it's nice that you can use different kinds of blades. I'd probably start out using the AC blades, but it would be interesting to compare results using half DE blades as well.

 

My thought is this: It isn't really a knock on the razor, but look at the picture of it side by side with a regular DE shavette:

Sorry about the lighting, I was trying to line them up at the "heel" and show the difference in length and the blades. Bad camera angle though.



It seems like the IBC just has a lot of wasted real estate when only half the blade holder is full of blade. I find it bothersome when trying do N/S (vice versa on opposite side of the face) passes, because I have to reverse the edge to cut up next to my goat. It also just makes it more difficult to fit into my stupid little neck valleys. Not that it isn't the same size with an AC blade in it, but it seems like my scything/hooking strokes work better with an AC type.

It is just an observation, as I have gotten good shaves with all three types of blades, and it is an incredibly nice razor, but I don't think it would be a "grail type" shavette for someone who wants to regularly use other blades than AC.

I only really have two complaints about it: I wish it had some type of jimps on it. I don't know if it's my lack of experience or the actual design. I haven't dropped it, or even come close really, but it feels like I could. I am hoping/assuming that it will improve as I get used to my hand holds in general. Secondly, the chrome is impossible to keep smudges off. Like worse than my bike. First world problem, right? I think I read somewhere, maybe @PLANofMAN said it, that it looks like a razor from Tolkien. I can't imagine if it had the chrome scales.

TLDR: So far, I like it best with AC blades.

Goodnight all.

 

Decadent December!!

December 23

Razor - Soviet Consul
Blade - (1)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Semogue 620
Post - Alum

Let the final 9 days of the month begin. Nine days on the Soviet Consul going from 1 to 9. The three blades random.org chose for me are the Rapira Swedish, the Rapira PL and the Voskhod. So, the Swede gets settings 1-3, the Platinum Lux 4-6 and the Voskhod will hopefully save my life on 7-9. I need an idiot-proof lather for this so I'm going with Arko. Today's brush, the Semogue 620 and off we go.

My first impression of this razor is that it looks good. If looks were the true indication of performance I'd be in very good shape. However, the feel is a bit shaky. The Gillette Slim, which this appears to be a clone of, is a very solid razor. When you click the dial it is a solid click with no real play. With the Consul....click and rattle is more like it. It isn't horrible but there is a bit of play in the knob. Clearly the inner workings aren't going to be quite as solid. The blade gap on the extremely mild 1 appear to be larger than on the Slim, so in appearance at least, it would seem this is a more aggressive version. Only the shaves will tell for sure.

I've never used the Slim on 1, always using 2 as the bottom setting due to its already being too mild for some blades. On the first pass with the Swede onboard I could already tell the gap is bigger. Very audible feedback and good reduction on the first pass. This is more like a 3 on the Slim it seems. Surprisingly, though, it is smooth. And, it seems to be consistent on each edge indicating the gap is even and the blade centered correctly. Pretty amazing for Soviet engineering.

I did two full passes and achieved a decent DFS. On the 1 setting - that's an amazing result. Even more amazing was how quiet the Alum was. A couple of hot spots where I worked over some issues but nothing out of the ordinary. Day one is a victory with this razor and that hasn't really happened before on a Soviet. Or at least not feeling as good as it did. It gives me hope for the remaining 8 settings. Then dread for how bad it might turn if it started this good.

Two days until the big day. I know a lot of you are or will be travelling. If you have a little time on your hands or just need to escape the relatives I hope you'll be able to peek in here. Have a joyous and enjoyable couple of days!

 

( For anyone wondering, images can be posted in PM's if you use Tapatalk!)

 

Decadent December 2016 - Day 23



Why I lost track of time... Dad sent me a gift...I feel like a kid again.



Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a superb Saturday!


☺

 

This is the post I was waiting for! Nice write up!

 

Fantastic guitar...but an awesome Dad. Merry Christmas to you and your family, Chris!

 

Beautiful guitar - kudos to your dad

 

Hello TSD - here's my Christmas shave:



- Barrister & Mann "Beaudelaire"
- Semogue OC Badger
- Mastro Livi "Grifetto"
- Alverde Men Hydrogel


Fantastic shave. Incredibly sharp and smooth razor, my favorite B&M-soap. Do you remember I once said my straight razor shaves weren't as close as the ones with my Feather shavette? Forget about that ... BBS face today. I guess it's in part because of wickedly sharp edge, in another part because of improved technique.

I have 3 days off from work now and I'm ready for some serious holiday action (eating and drinking that is)

Merry Christmas everyone!

 

Beautiful Guitar and such a wonderful gift. Merry Christmas Chris.

 

Beautiful razor and congrats on today's shave! Merry Christmas!