February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thank you, I use Snapseed

 

it doesn't ruin the shave soap, I take it????

 

No, definitely not. I use cold water on my brushes and soaps each and every day. No issues or problems with soap and cold water.

 

That's encouraging-thanks Perry.

 

I am certainly no expert, but in watching @Keithmax do his focus a month or two ago, hot water can sometimes actually make it more difficult to lather.

 

Neal, I'm glad you're having fun with the FB this month. Your brush is a beauty!

 

Will the trial include degreasing any vintage 350 V8's?

Could also be the inspiration for a C&W song!

 

The only difference I can think of is that cold water takes longer to juice up the soap.

 

Congrats Neal!

 

Thanks. It did turn out very well. At some point this year I may see if I can get on the list for another one.

 

Mühle Rocca R96 razor
Personna Platinum Chrome blade
TGC synthetic brush
Tabac soap
Pitralon Classic aftershave

Another very good shave ... the Mühle behaves so well that it almost becomes boring.

 

Feb 16 - 3rd ,3 pass Shave with the Derby

Merkur 34c HD
Derby Extra Blade (3rd Shave - 3 Pass)
AOS Sandalwood Pre Shave Oil
TOBS - Sandalwood Cream
Alum
AOS Post Shave Balm - Sandalwood

​

AOS from my medium kit finally ran out so I opted to try the TOBS with the Derby Extra blade. The blade is just as smooth today as Tues. when I first started using it. After my practice session with the Stirling, I had to have a good lather day. TOBS did not disappoint. Lather was rich, thick and slick. Definitely easier to make lather with a cream than with a soap. AS smooth as the blade was, it still gave me the feeling like it was doing nothing. I felt my face after each pass and I still felt stubble until the ATG final pass. It seems this blade needs the ATG to get a good shave. I feel this is a near perfect to perfect BBS today. The only downer is that again, my face was screaming when the alum went on. I think either I am pressing on the razor since this blade feels like it is doing nothing or something about the blade is irritating. I will say though the blade after 3 days of use still feels better than the Merkur or Wilkinsons did after 3 days. I do not believe it is time to retire it. Of course, TOBS - Sandalwood smells great. I ended up having a huge amount of lather after the shave and touchup that I figured I wasn't going to lose out on enjoying that scent. I smeared the remains all on my face and chest and just sucked in the goodness. I wasn't going to let the drainpipe take that away from me. I do notice that the TOBS is very slick but I find the Stirling to be even slicker. Because of this, I think my face was a bit more irritated today than yesterday with the pathetic lather I made with the Stirling and today's TOBS lather was perfect. It was pearlescent, silky and wet feeling and very slick. I will say that TOBS might be hard to get wrong. It is rather easy to get right or at least the cream is.

A little disappointed by the irritation, but overall a fine shaving day...

 

#50



-Kai Captain Kamisori
-Stirling 26x58 Finest
-Stirling Sandalwood Soap and Splash

I am halfway through my first hundred shaves with these razors. The actual concentration it took to develop some skill at this, was really a lot of fun. I look forward to the next fifty, although I am going to be working in more of my other razors more often. For now.

 

Nice picture, Jared. Love the black and white!

 

Most irritation, like you describe, is a combination of high attack angle scraping and too much pressure. Derby is not super sharp, you may be leaning on the razor trying to make it more efficient. Be sure to stay on the cap of the razor at all times. A change to a sharper blade and shortening the grip may help. As a suggestion, two shaves and done on blades until you're rock solid. Bad angles and pressure dull blades quickly. You want to optimize technique for your face, not to accommodate dying blade bevels. All things considered, you're doing very well.

 

Chris,
I can say I believe that I am as well pressing. The blade just feels like it isn't doing much. I do double check that I am on the cap often but the urge to rush and the sensation that the blade is not doing much (when it is doing something) is causing me to press conscientiously.

Thanks for the complement but I am only doing well because of good teachers and because of guys who take the time to help me out .

thanks

 

If we quicken the pace just a bit we can hit 200!!

 

Razor: Timeless .95 OC w/ Hempel Titanium Handle
Blade: Personna 74 Tungsten Steel (16)
Brush: El Druida Cocololo Manchurian
Soap: Reef Point Soap Classic Barbershop
Aftershave: Fine Platinum
Fendrihan Shave towel
Early shave today as I have a meeting to night. My traditional 3 passes with no clean up for a very near BBS. The finish with Fine Platinum is a real treat.

 

Great shot, Doug!