February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Shave #38



It was a somewhat frustrating, not very successful shave today. I started trying to put a DE blade into Irving. I could not for the life of me get it to clamp down tight enough. Assembling the thumbwheel and the two pieces that clamp together is kind of like double nutting a bolt. You have to get the first one set where you want it, and then snub up the second. Sort of. That is the easiest way to describe it when you can't see it. Most of the time it pretty much takes care of itself, but once in a while you kind of have to start over. So I figured I was doing it wrong. I fiddle farted around with it for fifteen minutes, and could not get it to clamp onto that blade tight enough to shave with. So I quit, and put in an injector blade; which it clamped,down on just fine BTW.

Well I stand by my original assessment that it makes no sense to put a 30mm blade into a 50mm blade holder. You are just taking up twice as much space as you need, and getting nothing done with it. I also scratched myself a couple of times, because it just seemed natural for me to lean into the toe. I just don't care for it. Couple that with the fact the even the Chick blades don't perform anywhere near as well as the Feathers, and cost the same??? As far as I am concerned Irving is an AC style razor, and that is it.

Considering all the above, I did a few quick passes, no clean up to speak of, and got the hell out while the getting was good.

Not a very good shave, but a good learning day I guess.

 

We all have those kind of days. At least you get another chance tomorrow.

 

Razor: Timeless OC w/ Pineapple Design
Blade: Personna 74 Tungsten Steel (2)
Brush: El Druida Red Heart Chakte Kok/African Blackwood 2 Band Badger.
Soap: Reef Point Soap Dragon's Blood
Aftershave: Floid Blue

Very close comfortable shave this evening. Great aroma to the Dragon's Blood shave soap. Floid Blue is an excellent finish.

 

Fantastic picture Doug. This has to be one of your best. The Dragon's Blood has a very intense scent to me. Honestly it took me sometime to appreciate the scent but now I truly enjoy it.

 

Welcome, Paul!

 

Thank you, Charlie...great to be here .

 

Thanks very much Clint. I did find the scent of Dragon's Blood off putting at the beginning also. Once I used it a few time it seemed to become enjoyable.

 

Great shot, Doug!

Sent from my Galaxy S6 using Tapatalk

 

I appreciate your kind words.

 

My first shave with an asymmetrical kamisori, I used both sides—the Ura (flat stamped side) & Omote (blank side)—switching hands and completed the shave in the traditional 'Western' SR fashion. With subsequent shaves, I opted to try the traditional Japanese method (Ura side OUT) which, let me tell you, is considerably more awkward initially both in angle and required arm/wrist contortions. With some Kami blades, the heel is prominent (such as the lefty kami pictured below) and is equally as dangerous and the spike toe. Keeping the Ura side out and avoiding both the spike and heel requires a good amount of focus and concentration ( a potential 'Pain Stick'). I managed several nicks in my first traditional kami shaves. With further practice, I minimized these errors and avoids the streaks of blood.

Honing: Glen has a good kami honing video on Youtube. Same type of razor as the one below. Most work (strokes) is done on the Omote/blank side and so kami honers have a preset ratio they tend to stick to in laps per side (i.e. 10/1, 8/1, 5/1).
When honing is successful, these razors are scary sharp!

 

Friday, February 3, 2017

The Varlet Orion
La Savionniere Du Moulin
The OneBlade
Feather FHS-10
Barrister and Mann Night Music


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Beautiful picture, Doug!

 

Great looking razor and picture, Mark!

 

Thank you, Keith! I should have it tomorrow, and will be calling it's number in Saturday.

 

Thank you for the generous ruling, Grand Poobah of the 30DC!

 

I really have to say, I am very pleased with the job Nick did. It came out might better than I thought it would. Now, if I can only get SWMBO to appreciate how pretty it is and why I need to send a few more razors out.....

 

On this no buy thing, is it a "buy" if I pick up something from a local drugstore or supermarket?

 

In my opinion, if you are replacing a needed software item or blades, etc. then no, it is not in violation of NB17. If you are adding something unnecessarily, then it could be viewed as a violation.

In my opinion, any expense or use of gift cards is also excluded from NB17.

 

ok, thanks...this helps me in my quest for NB18(I'm already disqualified for this year).