January 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

It is fantastic soap. It lasts forever too. I tease about the scent, but it is kind of polarizing. It's like any thread about Arko.

 

I have the soap, the stick and the cologne. I am a big fan all around. If I were allowed only one soap, I could use it happily. It performs consistently well, and I am someone who strongly associates scent with memories, and this one has it for me.

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I like Tabac, Arko, the Veg and Special Reserve. Not sure what that says about me...

I walk my own way scent-wise. I don't like Grey Flannel though. I tried. I have a 97% full bottle that will likely stay that way.

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That seals the deal! I own and enjoy all but Tabac.
Defiantly on my shopping list.

 

Arko separates the Jedi from the men.

 

It's says that @wristwatchb will be dogging you soon also.

 

That's the only way.


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I couldn't find the exact manual I looked at earlier, but these pages from a couple similar old manuals show much the same thing -- the fingers being used to shorten, stiffen or support the bristles.

The short title is "Practice and science of standard barbering":


"Standardized Barbers' Manual":

 

Interesting.
Lather, apply steamed towel, strop razor, remove towel, reapply lather.
While soap hasn't changed much, few of us apply lather before a hot towel. I tried a preshave oil but didn't find much improved performance. Without a Barbers chair handy the idea of slipping off for a quick nap during my shave probably won't happen.

 

Came home today to a package in my chair and recognized the sender. @John Ruschmeyer had sent me something and it wasn't ticking, had no broken glass or other problem sounds to it and didn't smell funny. So, I opened it and found this. Oh yes, I remember his posts on this. Should be fun to play with and see if it has any redeeming qualities at all. I'm sure the blade included doesn't, but it will get a shot at some point too. Not sure when this will break out of the package, but it's in my den. Thanks John! I know what a sacrifice it was to share such a fine instrument with me!

 

I've used a hot towel on my face before but always before the lather, never after a lather. Interesting, as you said. I've also only tried pre-shave oil a couple of times and gave it up. Almost seemed to create more problems for me than it helped.

 

This stuff? I'm not a fan of Bay Rum. That was the faint aroma to my nose. Otherwise just another step I eliminated.
K.I.S.S.

 

Anything that uses a picture of a cart in its packaging is suspect.

 

That wouldn't be a bad name some days around here. We seem to be prone to a willingness to try new things, old things, and things that we shouldn't get within ten feet of.

 

Happy Anniversary January!!

January 6

Mostly Shavettes

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (3)
Soap - Tabac
Brush - Semogue 620
Post - Alum, Nivea Original

I couldn't resist another day with the Feather SS and Pro blade. And, since Tabac has been ignored lately, I pulled it out of the cabinet and lathered it up. I have become totally convinced that the Semogue 620 is a better brush than the Omega 10066, and the 10066 is an awesome brush. But, the Semogue just seems to work better, faster and never fails to produce a perfect load and face lather. Once again I'm putting another Semogue on my "eventually buy" list.

The shave today reminded me of why I keep pain sticks around. And, it reminded me why I could probably switch totally to the pain stick as my daily shaver. It was a smooth, noisy, fun and effective two passes. With a third pass I could have had a near-BBS but I chose to end with a barely DFS. It's an improvement on yesterday and I'm happy with that. At this point I plan to stay with the razor and blade into next week and just enjoy myself. Shaving at night gives me the time to really work at grips, angles and other technique to improve more quickly as well. Loving it.

In the teens today for a high. Windy, cold, yep it's January. Looks like it's been busy around here so I'll start getting caught up! Have a great weekend!

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A Journey Down Route 66
6 January 2016

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Just realized that this razor probably needs to see a GSB soon. But alas, today the Shark SS was again up to the task. My method for lathering Route 66 is to load a brush and face lather. I place a small amount of the soap into a bowl, place a half tablespoon of water on top, and hit it with a dry Plisson until all the water is gone. This yields more than enough for my standard two pass automatic DFS. Probably three plus passes in reality. Good stuff. Alum was cool, skin feels great, and I went with the Mighty Osage, but didn't get nuts with it. @PickledNorthern -17f on the truck dash this morning, -16f per the phone. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a great weekend!
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Nice find!

 

Welcome back!

 

Wrap up day with RV-Shavemac D01 flat op.

I needed a great shave for a social occasion and I want to give this brush a closeout with what it is designed for, a hard puck. Today's was AoS with tallow, Merkur Futur loaded with Rapira Swedish Steel blade. The small handle on this brush means soap all over my hands, and with AoS tallow it means lots of slippery soap everywhere. The brush works best with a hard puck and all the ingredients were there for an epic shave.... an epic shave was the result.

This brush will be put up for sale the next time a due a den clearing. Next up will be my Omega Pro so I can compare of boar to the D01 knot.