February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

are you near Lambeau Field?

 

Thank you, Clint!

 

February 14, 2017- Rubie Slippers

Razor: F2 Gillette 195 Adjustable (4)
Blade: Gillette Rubie Platinum Plus (1)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Cream: KMF fragrance-free

A while back, I made a comment about being interested in trying the Gillette Rubie blades and Andrew graciously said he would send me a couple. They arrived yesterday and, so, today I get to see what the fuss is about.

The Rubie Platinum Plus is made in St. Pete and is, as I understand it, intended as an upscale blade for the Russian Domestic Market. It is apparently something of a YMMV blade as even die-hard fans of Russian steel have been known to disparage it. OTOH, I've ridden the Tiger and tried to shave with the Tian Fu "disobedient" blade so how bad could it be?

A quick note- I was not working with the greatest amount of whiskers this morning. Although I pretty much shave daily, I'm one of those people who could probably go more like 36 hours between shaves. Also, yesterday's shave with the twin-blade definitely took off a lot of whisker. When facing a new and possibly controversial blade, I don't know if this is a good thing or a bad one.

My first impression was a bit of harshness which pretty much disappeared as I rode the cap. As time went on, I realized that what I was calling "harshness" was more like "sharpness". Two passes and I'm as close to BBS as I ever get.

Overall, the Rubie left me with a good first impression. It was not the most pleasant shaving experience I've ever had, but was far from the worst. If anything, it reminded me of shaving with the Brazilian-made Platinum Plus blades but without the weepers I tend to get from those blades. I'll definitely take it over the OEM Israeli Personna, given the chance.

(One for the blade historians... I read on another forum that there is some belief that the Rubie Platinum Plus is actually the successor to the classic Gillette Platinum Plus blade. I wonder what, if any, relationships exist between those two blades and the Brazilian Platinum Plus?)

I think I can see why this is a YMMV blade as it probably has an odd spot in the Sharpness Vs. Smoothness curve. I suspect that the Rubie also performs better with some razors than others and probably favors a milder razor. I'm tempted to try it in the Sterling Tech as Gillette bundles the Rubie with what appears to be the same razor.

I think I'll spend a few more days on this blade and see how it holds up. I also have two more, so there's some room for a future focus.

Andrew, thank you for sending these to me. Feel free to send any others that you want to dispose of.

 

Mark, that new is out of this world!

 

Happy anniversary, Jim!

 

14 February 2017 Valentine's Day Blade/Focus Shave
Today the cream of the day was Simpsons Unscented. The 10098 continues to make great lather. After a great two pass shave by the GSB, I splashed on some Aramis AS(Herself's favorite) and it was off to the job. Going out for dinner tonight might be a problem. There is a massive Federal report due at the wife's work. Guess who's the lead on that project? Yup. So we'll see. Happy Valentine's Day!

 

You knocked that one out of the park, Clint!

 

Thank you, Andrew!

 

You are quite welcome. Ill be watching to see how the blade progresses with use. Funny I had the exact opposite impression. I didn't feel like it had much sharpness or smoothness. It felt overly harsh and tuggy to me. The only razor it worked somewhat decently for me in was the Ikon X3.

 

Focus for Valentine's Day

Although my brush(Burma Shave)didn't APPEAR to be well-loaded, it must have been, as the WSP Rustic Sandalwood soap spread very nicely. I used the DisposeABLE for both passes-never got around to cleaning the razor and replacing the blade, as my cleaning lady came yesterday(she was originally scheduled for today)so that threw things off a bit). Part of my focus for this month is to quit "messin around" with my right cheek-for some reason I always end up leaving a little stubble on it. I got it all today. The WSP Sandalwood A.S. was nice, as usual.

 

Thank you Andrew.


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SOTN February 13th


F1 Fatboy
Astra SS (2)
Route 66 Cranberry Citrus
Satin Tip The Purest
Crown King Scuttle
Homemade Lime AS

Last night I decided I was going to make some of Jared's miracle lather. I loaded until the brush was completely saturated with soap all the way to the handle and then slowly incorporated water by passing the brush under a trickle of running water. I ended up with that glossy goop that Jared so often teases us with. It was so thick and amazingly slick. Route 66 scents are out of this world with very good scent strength. The whole bathroom was filled with the sweet-tart like aroma of the Cranberry Citrus, which has quickly become my favorite citrus scent. The blade still felt very middle of the road and the shave wasn't nearly as close as the first, this blade may suffer from a short life expectancy. Have a great day my friends!

 

See, that's my problem on loading-I need to get to that "completely saturated" sensation. But I hope you have a great day, too!

 

Thanks Andrew! A shout out to Nick at SportShaving who made it look glamorous.

 

Beautiful photo. That's one way to quickly deplete the soap inventory I know I overload soaps every shave but at least I have great lather that doesn't run out mid shave.


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the way I overload is too much covers the jar, not my brush :-(.

 

Thanks Clint. Its taking me forever to use up even a 50g shave stick. If I don't pick up the pace I'll be using the same soap 5 years from now.

 

Oh I go through the soap for sure. I've already finished one soap this year and will soon finish 3 more. My problem is I buy soaps at even a faster rate.


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Problem, or preparedness. Its all in the eye of the beholder. I am very prepared with it comes to blades and soaps. LOL

 

I scoop that left over stuff in the jar and spread it on my face before I lather. That's the good stuff!