February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I got the same pack, but with some Rubies town in. I plan on making a month of the Rubies.

 

How is that soap Brian? I tried it once a few years ago when I was pretty green to lathering different soaps, and wasn't super impressed, but looking back, it was probably me.

I keep thinking of re visiting because I love their AS, but it's just another on a REALLY long list.

 

Good luck with the Rubie's, I was not a fan and neither is our fearless leader.

 

So all of you Fine users, do you think the performance is the same as Tabac?

 

I'll be ordering a couple of those in the near future for potential PIF's.

 

Stranger things have happened. But.....not many.

 

That's what I was thinking. Try some, share some.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

And once we have you hooked, you're ours.

 

February 7 (Tuesday) - Fatboy Focus

Gillette Fatboy back on 3
PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground carbon ( 34)
Chinese hardwood reknotted with Maggard 24mm plissoft
The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap )
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original Astringent

I find the Maggard 24mm plissoft synthetic knot makes for a very easy brush for me to load and lather with. The Fatboy back on 3 after yesterday's 9 gave an easy, comfortable shave. The PAL blade is still going strong.

Nothing much else to say.

 

Can't say as I never used Tabac. I will say that it is a very good to great soap on its own merit. I find it exceptionally easy to lather, very slick and with wonderful scents.

 

Cool. It is rumored to be a nearly, if not identical formula to Tabac. There was a writeup about it on Sharpologist. The idea of Tabac performance without the scent of Great Aunt Ida's purse is pretty cool.

 

I would say it is more than worth giving it a try. Fine soaps have made my buy again list where many others have not.

My Certain to Buy Again list: ( In most cases I already have bought again)

1. MdC
2. Route 66
3. Mystic Water
4. Fine
   
5. Reef Point

Honorable mention goes to Nuavia and Jabonman.

 

Well, if it makes your top 5 in that list of players, it deserves a shot. Not sure Tabac makes it that high up on my list, but that honestly could be because of scent. When a soap is so good that you use it even when you don't like how it smells, that's probably an endorsement.

 

Feb 7 - Rule Month

Still using my Merkur 34c HD with AOS and a Wilkinson Classic blade. Yesterday's shave left me with irritation later in the day and pimples above the lip. Too much pressure and the lather might have been to thin for me. Not sure. I know I shaved too much. I made an effort to lighten up and not do ATG where irritated. I would say I have a DFS. Cheeks got ATG. Still have some 'bite' in spots so I am either missing spots or all of my strokes ride up in spots. Not sure. I did hold with very little pressure.

Lathering went this way:
Soaked brush for duration of the shower. I only shook brush once which meant it was very wet but not dripping. I dripped a couple drops into bowl and put a good almond+ sized dollop of cream. Initial whipping resulted in a very wet large bubble watery mess but I kept at it. Had to add a little more cream. After much whipping, lather was soft but glossy and v. finely bubbled. No large bubbles like in the beginning. Lather was thinner but did hold up for duration of the pass. Lather remained in bowl without degradation so it seems pretty good.

Shave was very light. I do still feel stubble but it is v. short yet soft. Blade glided nearly silent. I heard very little sound of hair being cut. When I still felt stubble, I would recheck by riding the cap to get the angle reset and then commenced.

Alum showed very light tingle and only minor burn on few spots on neck.


this brings me to two questions:

1. How should the razor stroke be, short and often or as long and smooth?
2. What do I need to do to get a smooth shave? Is it largely technique( I expect) or are these symptoms that I might need a still sharper blade?



Thanks everyone. Being my 7th day of DE shaving, I am learning a lot and progressing well. thanks for the help.

 

Don't know. I had a Tabac shave stick but it always dried out on my face. I could never get enough water mixed in. The Fine soaps are excellent. I have American Blend and Platinum. I made an offer for the Lavender soap on a BST group the other night but it was a little too low. Maybe he'll sell to me if he doesn't get other offers.

Great performance. Thick and rich lather (as it says on the box), easy to lather, and big scents. Good stuff!

 

Good looking shave sticks.

I can't seem to get good lather with a shave stick. I have a La Toja stick and pressed some Arko into an old deodorant container. I have a Palmolive shave stick that I haven't used yet. I can never seem to get enough water worked in and the lather dries up.

 

Good going on the lather, I start with a very dry brush(I squeeze out as much water as I can) and then add water a couple of drops at a time until it gets to the consistency I like. As for your questions.

1. I use short 1" ish strokes
2. I suspect this is largely due to technique. The Sword is plenty sharp.

 

I had this same issue and I think it was because I was applying too much soap. I don't think you need to rub it on until you have a white film all over your face. But I much prefer to bowl load anyway.

 

Great set up, Clint. The Aristrocrat and brush combo is a beauty. I hope your back loosens up as the day progresses.

 

Okay, that makes sense. I rub it on pretty good before lathering. Hmmm.....a shave stick focus may be in the future.