March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thanks Jared. It's a beast, for sure! I may wash my cars with it this weekend.

 

March 9 - Day 5 of 34C/Astra

Today I again used The Phoenix brush but was more successful. I did not soak the brush the entire duration of the shower. Instead, I opted to wet it just before starting my shave routine. I ran it under water and shook it out well squeezing out as much as I could. It was damp but not soaking wet and had nothing to yield. I used Stirling Piacenza today. I do like this scent and it falls right up there with the other popular cologne scents (not that it is one). It is just pleasant to me. Worked the puck to the same amount as I always do and started dribbling in water, little at a time. Once I got the soap on the brush dissolved into a consistency like slightly watered down white glue, the lather started up nicely. Each addition increased volume of lather until I had a nicely blooming brush full of lather and the bowl containing extra.

I wasn't ready to give up on the Fendrihan Scientist razor. I wanted to verify that the blade was indeed done. I lathered up and , DAMN! I forgot my PSO!!! OK, today would be a comparison of what it is like for me to not use PSO. I lathered up and worked the soap on my face well. The Scientist was chosen and it was louder and pulled more than the day before. I was able to finish my entire side of the face WTG including upper lip and chin but the blade was singing its desire to quit. I put it out of its misery depositing in the blade repository and finished today with the Merkur 34C. Immediately it was obvious how light the 34C is compared to the Scientist. Weight might help in shaving but I think my level ends no higher than the Scientist. The 34C is more appreciated in weight. Since the Scientist is more aggressive, I found myself continuing the soft gentle strokes I used now with the 34C. I continued a XTG pass without PSO. Even the 34C with a Astra SP now on its 5th shave seemed louder and not cutting as well as before.

I decided to apply PSO just before the ATG. Oddly, the blade acted as if it sprang back to life. It cut much better with the PSO than without. I also felt less skin friction than before. For me, PSO helps it seems. It might even aid in blade life. After all 3 passes WTG, XTG and ATG (with PSO) needed a little more touch up but BBS was achieved. Alum was again biting but calmed down quickly. TWH was quiet. Nivea S-PSB finished an excellent shave. No blood from either shaver and a super close result. there was enough lather left after the 3 passes and touch ups to fully cover my face and neck with a 4th lathering and there was still more in the brush. I think my issue with the brush is largely too much water retention. The amount of soap being grabbed is perfect for my shaving requirements.

I am surprised that the Astra SP will be meeting the longevity of the Voskhod blade. I also think the Astra are a bit more smooth. Will need to see if a Voskhod goes back in to verify technique isn't to blame for these slight differences. If I had to buy a bulk pack, either would be candidates and I would be happy. Both appear to be nice and sharp, smooth with excellent longevity. But of course, there are still some heavy hitters to come.

 

Thank you Charlie. The Flat Top is a beast for sure. It is up for next weeks soap destroying duty.

 

Piacenza is actually based on Acqua Di Parma Colonia, so it is indeed a cologne scent. And if you were wondering it is the same scent as RazoRock XXX and Fine Italian Citrus.

 

Great news that the lathering is working out better. I know it is unsolicited advise but I would suggest you just go 3 shaves and out on blades until you are rock solid and dialed in with the your technique. Then you'll know for certain how long a blade can last in each razor.

 

I would but on the 4th pass of the Astra SP and Voskhod, I felt no difference in the blade. I mean nothing at all. Still smooth as day 1. Otherwise I agree with you.

 

Sounds like the Scientist is going to work out for you. If you want to see how it would do with a lighter handle, you might try seeing if you can switch handles between the Scientist and the 34C. There's a good chance they will be threaded the same and can interchange.

 

Razor: AlumiGoose V1
Blade: Kai Titan Mild (11)
Brush: H.L. Thater Funf TSN LE Butterscotch Beehive 2 Band 5th Anniversary
Soap: Captain's Choice Bay Rum
Aftershave: Captain's Choice Bay Rum

Very good 3 passes with a minor cleanup for a near BBS.

 

Again with Kung Fu?

 

Friday's shave is same as today's, except with the WSP Pure Badger. Speaking of WSP, Lee may be hearing from me as part of my "Springfest Purchase Package", to celebrate my big Six-OH.

 

I will probably regret asking this question.... Mark how does the razor shave?

 

Anyone want to start a board on how soon one of these shows up in a South Korean SOTD? Dollar a number. I have 17 days.

 

16

 

What's the prize? #11

 

-Irving Barber Co
-Stirling Kong
-B&M Lavanille
-Proraso Green

I was in enough of a time crunch getting ready today that I was just going for a decent looking shave. I was very pleased to discover that I can do a two pass and touch ups in basically the same time as with a safety razor. And I didn't bleed. Ended up somewhere between a CCS and a DFS. I did switch the AS after I took the pics tho, cause I was headed to a pre job meeting, and I always think it is weird when guys who wear hardhats for a living smell like foo foo juice at work. Just sayin.

 

Keith will mail the winner some sort of fermented Korean food delicacy.

 

Ok. Then I pick 1-10, 12-15,18-20

 

March 9 (Thursday ) - SE focus
EverReady 1912 SE / Gem PTFE ( 4)
1930s Simms reknotted w/ Maggard 22mm black synthetic
The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap )
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Aftershave

Absolutely superb lather today; rather ho-hum shave.

Did my usual diagonal passes but didn't attempt an extra ATG because my neck felt sore from yesterday when I went lightly over it WTG. I also noticed that I slightly reopened yesterday's weeper below my lower lip. Without the extra ATG pass or any buffing the result was a decent DFS with the baby showing a bit in some areas and other spots still a bit rough. The alum was warm especially on my neck. I used the Thayers aftershave anyway and ended up with a pretty warm burn.

Of the two 1912s I am using, I think I slightly prefer the Gem over this one. But so far I still prefer almost any of my rotation of DEs or injectors over either.

 

I discovered a rare elixir at the mall today. Now I know how Ponce de Leon must have felt when he discovered the Fountain of Youth. Just imagine how a sip or two of this bug juice could improve your popsicle stick or carriage bolt shave. I could see @Paul Turner performing a six-pass dry shave with a wide open Slim after wetting his whistle with...



It's a couple bucks a shot, so we'll have to talk @Fly2High into splurging for it.

 

Synthetic Tourney Day 2:



The Stirling "Kong" synthetic is exactly what the name implies; a big ole hand full of brush. At 26x63, it looks big on the shelf and bigger in your hand. The handle is fat. Fatter than what I really enjoy, TBH. It is big to grip, and the near flat baseplate isn't uncomfortable per se, but isn't especially comfortable either. It is a heavy handle, and the weight is substantial but not over the top. It is decently made, with no mold marks or anything to subtract from its quality, and is polished to a high black gloss. As I have mentioned before, I am lukewarm on logos, and this one doesn't do anything for me in terms of the look of the brush. Neither really, does the Plisson type knot. It is an entirely subjective thing, but they are just lackluster in the looks department. So what I see is a utilitarian workhorse of a brush.

While the scores may not have been especially high in the aesthetic department, this brush is definitely a performer. It has a little more backbone than the Tuxedo, but thanks to the high loft it does not have a springy feel. It still gives some scrub, and the large size gives it a full feeling on the face. The tips are pillow soft, but whether it be a product of the type of fiber or the backbone, they fall a bit short of the Tuxedo in that department. I loaded enough lather for two shaves, and in synthetic style, it did not hog any of it.

So what it lacks in looks, it makes up for in performance, and while it isn't going to be in the money, it still posted a very respectable score tonight.