January 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

That is a cool brush handle. Plus you get to count shaving as an upper body workout at the same time.

 

Thank you Jared. I didn't mean my comments as a brush snob. I have $25 boars as well as nicer badgers. I think the worst thing with Whipped Dog knots has to be the lack of consistency. I see the reports of other users and mine seems to be from a different planet. Many well informed users love them so I can accept my experience might be an exception.

 

January 14, 2017

Razor: Gillette Mach 3 handle
Blade: Walgreens Generic Mach 3-Compatible (1)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Cream: KMF fragrance-free

A few weeks ago, I started noticing that most of the local stores had started to carry a house-brand Mach 3-compatible cartridge. As I understand it, these are made by Edgewell and are supposed to be equivalent to the Schick Hydro 3 cartridge. Last weekend, I noticed that my local Walgreens had put them on Clearance for $2.50 per pack of 5, so I picked up a couple of packs. I finally gave in to curiosity this morning and decided to take one for a spin.

This is actually my first shave with a cart since I started traditional wet shaving in September 2015. Before that I had been mostly using disposable three-blade razors and hadn't touched the Mach 3 in forever. The KMF lathered well, as expected. I did my usual two-pass shave. I had a bit of drag at the beginning of the first pass, but blame that on the fact that I didn't pre-wet the razor and, so, it took a moment for the "hydrating gel reservoir" (Schick term) to activate. After spending so much time worrying about angles and riding the cap, it was kind of odd to just put the head flat on my face and pull it like some kind of dust mop.

Two passes later, there was definitely a baby (or was it a dolphin?). No blood, no signs of irritation and, I have to admit, it was probably a closer shave than I could get with my DE. I'm thinking of using this setup all next week to see how it holds up, though I don't expect to be giving up my Fatboy any time soon.

One thing I don't get, though... is there really that much improvement going from 3-blades to 5 or more?

 

No, I didn't mean that at all. Your post was spot on, and I don't think anyone would take it that way. I have just had people accuse me of that when I commented negatively about WD badgers. I was just pointing out that I have even cheaper knots I find better, and that price isn't the main factor. Sorry if I worded that poorly.

 

As Sir Andrew Barton said in the ballad (possibly in a slightly different context):

Oh, I am hurt, but I am not slain;
I'll lay me down and bleed awhile,
And then I'll rise and shave again.

 

I know. I have learned in other hobbies like motorcycles and guns, that in the long run it is cheaper to buy once and cry once. Decide what I want and the reasons. If the budget supports it then buy it. If not I wait until the budge does. In the end most times I am not satisfied until I get what I want.

 

I agree with this post. Thanks Clint.

 

My experience has been the same as yours. Nothing against Larry, he has been very helpful.

 

January 14 - on focus
Gillette Black Beauty on 3
PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground carbon (11)
eBay artisan badger brush
The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap )
Alum and Clubman VI Bay Rum splash

The eBay badger was floppy as usual but loaded from The Eternal Tub okay and then whipped up a good lather in the bowl. By itself it splays out far too much for my taste when lathering the face but can be stiffened up acceptably by cradling the handle and supporting the knot with the fingers. If it was the only brush I had, I could certainly live with it, but where I have others I prefer, I might see if I can find it a new home.

The PAL blade gave another fine shave today, so I still can't figure out why shave 9 was so rough and tuggy, when shaves 8, 10 and now 11 have been smooth. Just one of those things...

The Clubman VI gave a nice, warming, tropical finish to a winter shave.

 

Great set up, Jared!

 

Pretty brush! Do you have the balm in a spray bottle?

 

I had pretty much written off badger brush, as I have had a couple of WD brushes that didn't blow my socks off. I also have a Simpsons Commodore in Best Badger, but once again, it wasn't my favorite. I'll have to try some of these other knots. Don't you know this is NB17?

 

January 14 SOTD:

Omega Boar Brush
Wholly Kaw Jamestown Gentleman
Gem Damaskeene
Wholly Kaw Jamestown Gentleman AS

It has been a while since I pulled this soap out, and it was worth the wait. Just a wonderful shave. The lather was slick, cushiony, and protective. The razor just glad through the whiskers, and I ended with a near BBS. To make it better, this soap was very good in the post shave department. Maybe not quite up to Stirling, Route 66, or Stubble Trubble, but very good. At some point, I may have to try their vegetarian base. I hope everyone has had a great day.

 

What a class name for a shave soap&A.S.

 

Thanks very much. The balm was a test sample. It dispenses regularly.

 

sorry i've been absent guys, the wife just had a baby... i'm slowly getting back into the swing of things

 

Big Congrats .

 

Congratulations!

 

If you like Stirling Gentleman, I think you would like this one. They are similar, but definitely different.

 

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Envy Shave "Eight Ball" with Envy Withe Two Band
Knockout Shave Cotton
Blackland Blackbird
Feather HS #3
Fine American Blend
Brooks Brothers 1818



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