January 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

What he said

 

Last day of beta test on a cream, three days whiskers, plenty of menthol, freshly touched up razor, and first SR shave in a week. What could possibly go wrong?

Getting back to my focus of using larger razors, I pulled out my best example of a Sheffield razor. 1865 (+\-5 years) Wostenholm & Sons EBRO Perseverance Works 7/8 (at the tip) razor. This is a survivor razor in original scales, that has never been apart. Did a quick touch up on the Purple Welsh Slate. I have had a couple of issues with this cream not loading it enough, so I did like @Kiethmax and worked the lather and loaded like it owed me money and was two months late. Result was enough lather for an 8 pass shave, of just the right consistency. Slick and protective, and almost as much menthol as a glacial soap. Three passes, with a good numbing on my face and a very sharp razor. You know what I ended up with? A BBS, and zero irritation. Great shave.

 

I love the motorcycle analogy.

Personally, I've thought for a while that Shaving, in general, is a lot like golf. You have a large group that is mediocre at it, or worse, and a lot of technology being sold to make the mediocre ones feel they are doing better without having to change anything about how they do it. The same mindset that designs some new longer-range golf ball is the one that designs a 5-blade, floating head with Aloe glide strips. If you make it to a place like this then, hopefully, you discover that the problem may not be your club (razor) but your technique.

I read Clint's post early this morning, but couldn't get around to replying until now. In the interim, I spent some time thinking about the fact that one of the hardest parts of a hobby like ours is finding your relationship to that hobby. Specifically, I'm thinking about the processes that go into finding what works (and doesn't) for you. We all recognize that we have different skin and whisker types and that various soaps, creams, and scents may react differently to ourselves (and our significant others). Something that didn't occur to me until recently, though, was how our choice of go-to products may have nothing to do with shaving at all. I guess I'm thinking of the unconscious part, the part driven by buried connections to past experiences, both pleasant and non-pleasant. That's the true YMMV and why working through a focus or two is really beneficial.

Sorry for rambling a bit.

 

It's very easy to get along with everyone on a firearms forum. You just have to remember 5 simple rules:

1. Do not say 1911s are better than Glocks.
2. Do not say Glocks are better than 1911s.
3. Do not say 1911s and Glocks are both fine pistols and shooters can be happy using either.
4. Do not say Glocks and 1911s are both crap and people would be better off using Brand X instead.
5. If asked your opinion about 1911s and Glocks, do not say you don't have one - this marks you as a totally clueless and hopeless newbie.

As long as you follow these simple guidelines, you will find any pistol forum a friendly and accommodating place.

 

Hmm...

1,$s/firearms/shaving/
1,$s/pistol/razor/
1,$s/1911/SE/
1,$s/Glock/DE/

Yup, works on shaving forums, too...

For those who don't recognize what I just did, that was a series of editor substitution commands which mark me as a user of the 'vi' editor (as opposed to the 'emacs' editor which "those people" would tell me is superior).

 

Indian

 

Murica!

 

The Tide is a life choice.

 

Jaraed @PickledNorthern remarked about how I'm one of those people that actually read posts. I read yours and would suspect Neal @NCoxSTL might find some stuff to cut-n-paste right into his New Month Greeting. Good insight.

 

Victory and Indian motorcycle brands are American made with complete powertrains and vehicle assembly located in Osceola, Wisconsin and Spirit Lake, Iowa, respectively.
'Merica FTW!

 

The Indian Chief would be perfect for @wristwatchb and his identically attired bride. Loads of style, power and big enough for long cruises for two.

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/motorcycles

 

Vespa!

 

I don't think it was a ramble at all. The blade Focus I did in December and the one I'm doing this month is not only about the blades. It was also about learning how to use a new "club"(my SA-109) as well. Also I'm reaquiring the learning I went thru with my NEW. By doing these things, technique improves, thereby making the entire experience more enjoyable.

 

A well written and thought provoking post. The golf analogy and your explanation is excellent. Both golf and shaving require replication of solid technique until muscle memory is set. A lot of things go into finding what works best for each of us and you are correct that many have nothing to do with shaving. A least we can try to enjoy the journey. I know I have.

 

In Harley's defense, basically the only assembly and production they do outside the US is for bikes sold outside the US. They do import a lot of parts though, which are then assembled here. Percentages and statistics down to the brass tack, I have no idea.

Pennsylvania and Wisconsin are their two big plants.

 

Actually, Polaris announced this week that they are shutting down Victory to focus on Indian, which has outsold Victory 11 to 1 since they rolled out their new bikes. Kind of sad.

 

Razor: Gillette Black Beauty w/case R-2 1971
Blade: Personna 74* Tungsten Plus (1)
Brush: Omega 10066 Boar
Soap: Route 66 Twisted Tweed
Aftershave: 2x Iced Commando Cocktail

An amazing BBS tonight. Nothing more to add.

 

Beautiful shot Doug.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I think that picture says it all.

 

Shave 26....



~Sanguine CoolCuts Razor w/Polsilver ~ Maggard 22mm Synth ~ Stirling Black Ice Soap and Balm ~

Really slow, really comfortable shave this morning. Got as close to BBS as I have yet. Still can't seem to quite master those valleys in my throat. I am also aware that I am bouncing around quite a few of these razors though, so,my focus isn't exactly laser like.

I love the Black Ice everytime I use it, and I have enough menthol crystals in the AS to make Crackstar complain.

The black fibered synthetic from Maggard seems identical to the 1st edition black fibers from Muhle a couple of years ago. It is a little sproing-ier than a Plisson type, but not like S-Brush sproingy. I didn't leave lather all over my mirror anyway. A guy can take that for what they want, I don't see it really as good or bad, just different.