January 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I'm glad the change up in first pass direction worked out well for you. Do you have other AC blades or just the Kai Mild?

 

I only have the Kai Mild. Thankfully Jared included those when I got the lot of razors from him.

 

Shoot me a PM if you want a couple each of Feather Pro & Feather Super blades.

 

1/7
Mitchell's Wool Fat made with Omega 10012 boar.
I soaked the boar and gave it two good shakes. Then I squeezed it gently and no more water came out. I loaded the brush until I felt that it could not hold any more soap (it did not appear to be enough). I quickly splashed the tips under running water and loaded more soap. I did this a second time and moved to the suribachi bowl. I then whipped it into the best lather that I could make. It seemed a little to bubbly and not quite creamy enough. I figured that may be due to not enough soap on the brush. I then had enough for a 3 pass shave. It was plenty slick, but could have been creamier. There was a fair amount of soap inside the brush when I rinsed it. I decided that photographing soap is not conducive to good lather because of the time I took setting up the photo, so this may be my last lather pic for now.

 

I find that my big Omega 10049 boar is the best brush for Mitchell's. I soak the brush and the soap while showering. I then dump it all out, shake the brush a couple of times, and then load on the puck vigorously. I load for a long time. I'll add a few drops of water if necessary, and it's usually necessary. Load for a long time, then face lather. Sometimes I'll need to dip the tips in water while face lathering. It never fails to produce beautiful, shiny, thick, and slick lather. I love The Fat.

 

Congrats on a great straight shave! The candy stripe scales on your razor are my favorite.

 

Last night (Day 6, so to speak), I tried the new (to me) Mohawk brush. Longer bristles than my Ever-Ready, and seem to flop a bit more, so it's back to the ER tonight I dunno...maybe I'll try the Made-Right). Still leaving the toggle (heh) set on "3", and getting smoother results.

 

Great scent description! I love using Tabac as well.

 

I purchased mine here. This vendor has shave sticks and other Tabac products also.

 

Razor: Gillette Aristocrat 1947 (Birth year razor)
Blade: Feather Platinum (7)
Brush: WDC-5 w/ Tuxedo.
Soap: Route 66 Rum Runner
Aftershave: Captain's Choice Bay Rum

I've used this handle before this month with a boar knot in it. I wasn't satisfied with it so I replace the boar with a Tuxedo knot. Very happy I did. It is now a great brush.
Very close 3 pass shave with a minor cleanup for a near BBS.

 

Great set up all around, Doug. The Aristocrat really pops in the photo. It's a beauty. Today was a no-shave day for me. I'm back in the game tomorrow morning.

Have a great evening, and stay warm.

 

What a nice setup. I'm liking the looks of that brush. Great knot!

 

Thanks very much Charlie. Colder weather moving in, woodstove is a cooking.

 

Thanks very much Brian. I set it a little higher. One U.S quarter to be exact.

 

I have a question for those that have replaced knots in brush handles. Recently, one of my knots came out of the handle. I reset it with bathtub caulk and gave it a day or so to cure. The knot came out again. Should I use something other than caulk? I sometimes submerge the handle in water while the brush soaks. I don't know if that makes a difference. What do you guys use? Thanks in advance.

 

I usually use two part epoxy and they stay. I used silicone in my B-400 and it's staying so far.

 

Thanks Brian. I may try some two-part epoxy. I appreciate it.

 

If you are positive it should NEVER come out, two part epoxy. If you aren't sure, or want the option, silicone works great. I have also used the "outdoor" (or whatever they are) hot glue gun sticks.

 

January 7 - PAL and brush Focus

Gillette Black Beauty ( 3 )
PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground (4)
EJ Super Badger brush
The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap )
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original

The EJ Super Badger is much smaller and denser than yesterday's Surrey Premium Badger but is still a lot floppier than any of my boars or synthetics. However it loads from the tub well, bowl lathers well, and does a not bad job rubbing lather into the face with a couple fingers stiffening the bristles. I made a mistake though and loaded and whipped as though it were a synthetic, resulting in lather that was a bit thin and runny.

Despite my operator error with the brush, the lather still provided adequate glide and protection during the shave. At the end there were no nicks or weepers and the alum was quiet. Shave overall was a good experience.

The PAL blade was slightly rougher or tuggier again today in the Gillette adjustable than it had been yesterday in the Rockwell 6s. I think this is a blade that very definitely does better in the Rockwell 6s than in the Gillette FatBoy, Black Beauty or even Tech. Nevertheless I plan to run it for the next while in the Black Beauty as the shave isn't actually bad and the razor's TTO mechanism makes it much easier to access the carbon steel blade for drying after use and for honing if required later.