March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

On your last sentence, I think it's important we point something out to newer converts. We are discussing the differences between a 94 rated blade and a 91 rated blade. It's really more about the razor and the techniques working together.

 

Makes a little more sense now. Unseen Mayhem rising up!

 

Yep. I've not yet found a blade that I can't use or get a good shave with if I take the time to understand it. The differences are slight, and a lot of it is YMMV. I don't like Derby blades in a DE. But they work quite well in my Shavettes. I like Feathers better with a milder razor, like my Tech or Merkur. I like milder blades paired with a more aggressive razor. Some of it is cost/value as well. I want to find blades that give me a close, comfortable shave at the best value in relationship to performance.

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Well, as always - Technique Trumps Tools.......unless the tool is defective. I'm not willing to call this Greager totally defective......but quirky would fit and that means technique has to adapt to the quirks! Now I know what I'm working with.

 

Feather in a FB on setting:Neal is actually pretty sweet. Risky too. These day I feel like mild razors would irritate my face because my technique has drifted toward almost all open blade stuff. Like @Screwtape wrote earlier, there are different levels of concentration and control. Mild razors would confound all my finer techniques, especially pressure. Might actually be more work for me than a shavette at this point. Full circle in a sense.

 

I understand what you are saying. I keep considering selling my Merkur 34c, not because it is a bad razor but because I now find it too mild. I have been steadily walking up on my Slim. I was at a 4 on it for a while. Moved up to 6 and got a more efficient shave. And I still prefer Shavettes over the rest because I like having to zero in and really focus.

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I like knives and have some really nice custom ones. Some straight razors are absolute masterpieces of the cutler's art and I would like to own them just for that reason. However I simply cannot see myself ever getting into that whole honing / stropping time sink that safety razors got men away from. So shavettes possibly; SRs no.

Actually I have a Magic shavette I got in an eBay batch lot once, along with some Feather guarded shavette blades. I may consider joining in MayHem with them. (I also have two or three vintage SRs I accumulated somehow, but that's a different issue.)

 

My Magic Shavette is one of my favorite shaving tools.

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I am with you on the SRs. It's not a hobby I am looking to get into either. I have a strop and three razors that have been honed by pros. I learned with the razors, but have no plans to buy stones or any of that. The Magic is as close to SR as I've found. You could totally pull it off! It's just a matter of angle and pressure. It's really fun.

 

I can PM you guys my address and take the straights off your hands

 

Actually I might PIF mine, or maybe send them to the Queen for future raffle prizes. They really should go to someone who would restore them and put them back in use rather than moldering in a junk box as they are.

I think I have four; I just looked at the two that were readily to hand. One is a square tip made by Thomas Mfg Co of Dayton Ohio and the other is a rounded tip RedPoint #684 made in Germany with what look like butterscotch Bakelite scales. Neither has any nicks or chips in the blade edges and seem like they just might need a stropping to be usable again. I will have to dig out the others tomorrow and see what they are.

 

I said the same thing too, honing and stroping is not for me. Now look now I mostly shave with straights. You are so heading for the dark side

 

Neal, your Bride must be wondering why you're standing in front of the bathroom mirror holding two razors up to your face at 1:30 a.m.

I'm glad you're getting to the bottom of the issue with the Greager. Hopefully, tonight's shave will be better.

 

Beautiful picture, Mark!

 

Beautiful photo Mark. The brush is stunning. You should break it out more often.

 

March 4 SOTD:

Frank Shaving Pur-Tech Brush
Gem Featherweight
TSD Lanolin Egyptian Spice
Stirling Unscented PSB
Vintage Old Spice AS

A late post for yesterday's shave. I took my two oldest daughters to a academic competition in Houston and was out all day. The shave was a good start to the day, though. The Featherweight is an easy shaver so I got very near BBS results on two passes. I am almost out of the Egyptian Spice soap, to the point that loading it is a bit difficult, so it is coming to an end. It has been a great soap with an enjoyable scent. The scent paired nicely with the Old Spice, and I could get a little of each throughout the days. Both of my daughters commented on how good I smelled, so that just made my day. I'll be posting this morning's shave after I actually figure out what I am going to use.

 

March 5, 2017​

Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti​

Feather Pro Super (1)​

Simpsons Chubby 2 Synthetic​

Route 66 Lumberjack​

Fine Platinum​

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This week brings the return of some Mongoose B2 and Route 66 Lumberjack. As such there is no need for a lengthy discussion. The brush this week will be the Simpsons CH2 Synthetic with finished measurements of 27mm X 51mm just a touch shorter than the advertised loft of 52mm. The CH2 Synthetic has tremendous backbone and is exceptional dense. The brush takes some effort to splay but the sheer density and number of fibers gives the Chubby 2 characteristic wall of "badger" feel. However, this same density requires drying times that are as long as most badger brushes. I would describe the Chubby 2 Synthetic as a synthetic brush for badger guys.

The CH2 Synthetic is a lather making machine. When paired with an easy to lather soap like Route 66 Lumberjack results in a mountain of rich slick lather. Even with a Feather Super blade, I find the Mongoose B2 more forgiving than the AlumiGoose V1 but the shaves are not quite as close. The 2 pass shave this morning was another smooth close and irritation free shave. I really can't expect much better. I finished off the shave with a splash of Fine Platinum. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

 

Beautiful photo Jim.

 

Great description of the brush. When it comes up in the brushoff, I will just copy it and list the score.

The Simpsons are the only synthetics that when I use them, I could close my eyes and imagine I was using a big silvertip. They are truly unique.

 

Sounds like a cool day with the girls.