March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

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

 

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.

 

I agree. I should have added don't get the CH2 Synthetic thinking it will use less soap. In my experience it just eats soap up. Given my current soap inventory that might not be a bad thing.

 

Wonderful picture, Clint! You have a simple elegance working there.

 

Day 11 of 30 days of straights

I used a FrameBack razor for the first time today. It was a very loud razor. At the same time, it was also very effective, requiring only 3 passes to get my first straight razor BBS. I did get one small cut through a rookie mistake, but the overall shave was excellent, especially on my problem areas.

DIY Pre-shave Oil
MDC based Uber-Lather
30mm High Mountain White set an extra 10mm deep
3 passes, WTG, XTG, XTG
6/8 square toe Japanese FrameBack

 

It was a great day. The only downside was that I had to miss my son's very first baseball game. I grew up playing baseball, and have definitely been looking forward to the day that he starts. But, it made more sense for my wife to take him to the game so she didn't have to keep the baby in Houston all day long. I did get a chance to spend some quality time with the girls and watch them as they got up in front of adult audiences to tell and read stories. I don't know that I would have done that when I was their age, and they both earned medals.

I also got to show them where my wife and I lived when we first got married as well as take them to a restaurant we used to enjoy those 17 years ago.

 

Thanks Clint! DK did an outstanding job. It's a big boy too!

 

Thanks Jim!

 

Thank you, Clint!

 

Great photo Jim!