February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I can never seem to finish up a soap, except a couple of TSD soaps. The rest just seem to go on forever. I thought I had a Stirling tin licked last summer, but it is still going.

 

Thanks Jared!

 

Very comprehensive and well executed review John. I've become a convert to Russian steel. I really like the 7 o'clock Greens, Voskhods and GSB's. The only exception is the Shark I use in my EJ DE89. I didn't have the Ruskie's when I auditioned blades for it. Something tells me things would have been different if I had. However I'm not going to mess with it.

 

Feb 14, 2017

'52 Canadian Tech w Voskhod (1)
Soap Commander Endurance
TGN Boar with maple handle
Thayers Unscented



Day 1 with the humble Canadian Tech. Great lather from the Soap Commander and the boar is breaking in nicely. Nice 3 pass shave this morning. One small weeper that wouldn't even survive the Thayers and no irritation. The Voskhod seems to like the Tech quite well. All in all, a good shave this morning.
Have a great day all!

 

Another thing you could do is scrape off a shaves worth of soap out of the tub and lightly press it into your bowl. Build on that until the soap in the bottom is all worked up. You absolutely cannot go wrong that way.

I think part of the reason people have an easier time with creams is that they always start with enough product, whereas with soap, unless you weigh your tubs as you go it is a judgement call. This is also why it helps to stick with one brush until you get it down, as every brush behaves and looks differently.

The two main requirements to making excellent lather are enough product and the patience to dribble in water slowly enough.

 

I really love that brush handle.

 

Thanks. Aside from looks, it is really starting to become a good brush.

 

Feb 14th - Learned What A Smooth Blade Is Like

Merkur 34C HD with Derby Extra blade
AOS Black Pure Badger Brush
AoS unscented PreShave oil
Stirling Piacenza soap
Alum
AoS Unscented Post Shave Balm
​

Since I received my sample pack and my shaving has been going well, I decided to deviate form the Rule month and instead work on blade selection. The First up was a Derby Extra blade. Yesterday, I also received my 9 samples of Stirling soap and just had to give them a try. I placed the sample into an empty beef bouillon container (3"x 3"). It fit the soap nicely but was too deep. I sprinkled water and ended up moving the container while holding the brush still. Once the brush had 'whitened' tips, I switched to the bowl to create the lather. I ended up sprinkling water several times and made a nice thick lather. I find the soap looks glossy all the time. This is not how AOS and TOBS appear to me. Stirling has a glossy appearance right from the beginning. I ended up overdoing the water and the lather was very fine in bubbles but was a bit thin and watery. My fault for overdoing it. In no way was this the fault of the soap. I was so caught up in the scent that I failed to stop. The more I whipped it up, the more scent was released. I was able to thicken it a little but I still had soft peaks. Even in this thinned state, the soap worked wonders. The combo of the soap and blade made for a very quiet shave and even my overzealous desire for a clean shave, I would touch up spots without applying more lather. the blade and residual lather was enough that I did not feel anything. I had to wonder even if I got the angle right and if I was actually shaving anything off.

In the end, I did 4 passes with touchups. The Derby blade is very smooth and so different from the Merkur and Wilkinson Classic blades. With the fact that I hit myself with the corner of the blade a few times and did not nick myself, I definitely do not feel they are as sharp. I had to do more passes because I did not get as close a shave as I have had. I do feel it is a DFS but I feel like my face is a 400 or 600 grit sandpaper. You can feel the grit but barely. I am largely smooth but I do feel resistance in some directions than others. As a daily blade, I would have no problem using it. If I desire a BBS, I do not know if this blade will get me there. As for Stirling, it is wonderful stuff. Thank you Rod and Amanda for the personal note and the sample of Scots Pine Sheep body soap. It smells wonderful and I would never have thought to even try it fearing a Pine-sol scent. Instead, it has the smell of when we go to cut down our Christmas tree. Beautiful and natural pine scent and some earthiness and wood. totally brings me to those family trips to cut a tree for Christmas.

I now understand and have experienced what is meant by a smooth blade is.

 

I really like that method of dribbling water through the brush while loading. It works! That video is a tremendous help.

 

Stirling is (moreso than some other artisans) is at its very slickest when it is yogurty gloop as opposed to stiff peaks and "foamy". As long as you get that glossy look, you are in the window.

I personally don't like a stiff lather, or one that is too thick. I like it when I put it on and it looks like I painted my face with soft serve ice cream. That is a total preference though.

 

Perry,
Do you have the link? Not sure I saw it and the technique sounds interesting.

Can you pass it along?

 

*Edit - Sorry @PLAla , I wasn't trying to butt in, I just have the link saved.

I should also give credit to MerkurMan on TSN and DFS for putting this video up.

 

Nice! Gonna have to give that a try with my 10098!

 

This method really ensures that you don't underload.

 

Terrific video. Of course, if you think about it, lather sets the stage for a successful shave. Yes, there are other variables, but if your lather is poor quality then your shave if most likely to be less than successful. Great lather protects and is the backdrop for success.

 

+1. Some soaps you could measure the soap and water, throw it in a blender and have perfect lather. Some soap, you can't add the water too fast or it breaks. At least with this method, you can't screw it up. It works for everything from modern Williams to Route 66.

 

Yes I am. As a Vikings fan I'm not impressed

 

Sounds like a good first experience with Stirling. I have found that to be one of the hardest soaps to add too much water to. The lather just never seems to break. It will thin out, but I have never had it get airy and dissipate.

 

Talk about being in enemy territory! How's that work?