I think it's only appropriate that I end a focus month by losing focus. My two new GEMs came in today, and it was just too much. I had to try one. Besides, I figure that February gets shorted a couple of days so it would even the playing field. So: I was a bit worried about this guy at first because the safety bar had a slight dip on one side. It was just enough to see a noticeable gap. But I loaded up some Barrister and Mann Bay Rum, which I have taken the liberty of renaming to "Wassail" because that is exactly what it smells like (thanks again Charlie!), and went for it. Lo and behold, I do believe that was the most comfortable and effortless shave of my entire life. I can see myself descending effortlessly and shamelessly into GEM fanboy status. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Finally shave of January and Omega Silver tip last shave and wrap up. So I had a social engagement and needed to a second shave plus the timing is perfect. I need to do the fourth shave and wrap up for the Omega silver tip plus I can pay homage to two famous 30 Day friends. First an homage to Chris, @Bama Samurai, I decided to go shavette and pulled out my Focus 1 shavette. Second a homage to Neal, @NCoxSTL, I loaded the shavette with cartel approved Perma Sharp 1/2 DE blade. The Omega despite being soft and kind of floppy made good lots of wet slick lather from the Route 66. Three passes and done, zero blood and ready for some socializing. I like my brushes big, with soft tips (but not a mop) and releases the lather. This brush does it all but it takes time to load a hard soap. It excels in a hot scuttle with a cream, it splays allot so it will stay nice and hot throughout out the shave and is large enough to hold and release 4 passes of lather. One benefit of January's focus was that after 4 shaves I soaked the brush and a vinegar solution so now I have some clean brushes. Now onward to February.
That's a very affordable brush. How's the performance? Lacking your excellent Google Fu or library of photos of racy seasoned citizens I didn't post any fishnet clad legs. Please share if you have more?
I like the brush, won't say love..... It has a completely different feel from my other boars. It's fairly soft, a ton of splay ( too much ?), still scrubby. It should have a shorter loft. I have talked to the guy who makes them a couple of times. He will be coming out with shorter lofts soon. As to your other request? Here's a saucy little gal I picked up one night trolling around the VFW after bingo.
Happy Anniversary January!! January 31 Mostly Shavettes Razor - Feather SS Blade - (?) Soap - Tabac Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip Post - Alum Final shave of January 2017 and I just changed soap and brush and called it a setup. The Tabac may have made the best lather it ever has. Or, it could be the drink I had earlier just put me in a much better mood than normal. Maybe both. Anyway, a great lather and a great two pass shave to a DFS to finish the month. I did my weekly head shave first with the Merkur 23c and Astra SP and it was equally good Hmmmmm. Maybe I should have a drink more often before shaving. Though, that could create issues for me at times. Probably should forget I ever wrote that. It was a fantastic finish to a really fun month and I can say I did learn one thing this month. The shavette version of a blade (or just the blade snapped in half and put in a shavette) will always outperform the DE blade/razor combo as long as you have strong technique. So, yes, once again, Technique Trumps Tools. Thanks for all of the great shaves, gear and conversation. Page 120 and over an hour to go. We ROCKED this month!!!
A Journey Down Route 66 Completed! Cake. Two pass automatic. About to draw the newbie winner and light a pipe. Join me? Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado. Have a wonderful Wednesday!
SOTN January 31st '48 Gillette Aristocrat Bic Chrome Platinum (4) Ever-Ready 200t w/ TGN 22mm Finest RazoRock XXX Crown King Scuttle Myrsol Lemon Good morning friends. My last shave of January and my first time using my restored Ever-Ready brush, and my first time using a badger brush ever. The only thing that I have to report is that though I though I had pleasant of soap loaded I actually only had enough for the first pass. I had to go back a reload after the first pass and then I was good to go for the last two. Its going to take a little bit of practice working with the badger as it is very different then synthetics I'm use to. Normally I would ditch a blade after 4 uses but the Bic is still feeling very sharp so I'm going to see how may shaves I can get out of it. Perhaps I have been sending blades to the grave prematurely. Have a great day my friends!