March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Good setup and photo Jim!

 

I like Merkur razors, what would be a step up in aggressiveness? Is there a straight bar or do I need to get a slant? Would it be better to go with a different company?

Or should I just stick with the Fatboy and Slim before I jump to another razor?

I think the Fendrihan Scientist will make a great date night or Sunday razor. Also, when I have more time, it does a nice close shave with the least number of passes. I might get better and not need another.

Your thoughts?

 

I definitely am standing on the threshold. It is fun in some sort of vintage, old fashionedy sense, but I don't get any better or enjoyable of a shave than with the shavette razors I am using. I like the short Feather blades. The convenience of the Feathers is a plus, but the stropping isn't a big a deal either. Once I get some stones we'll see how easily I can keep an edge where it needs to be. If I can keep one shaveable without too much grief, I'm sure I will be working them in.

The bigger question it how easily I can take one from setting the bevel and up. If that is fairly easy without spending a fortune on stones then I could really be sucked down the rabbit hole.

 

Great start to the week amigo.

 

The 34 C is a razor on the milder side. I can get a clean shave with one, but never really enjoyed it. It was a lot of work for my beard. I also don't prefer the head shape of the TTO razors in general, but a Slim or a Fatboy can give a close shave if they are jacked up a ways. If you like the feel, I'm not sure you can improve on that. Slants never did it for me, and I tried a ton of them. People are saying good things about the Parker Variant, but I haven't tried it. A Merkur Peogress would be another option. My only suggestion in terms of DE's is that looking for something new, I doubt you are going to be happy with most of the milder ones.

From what you say about the toughness of your beard, and where you are in the process, I would buy one of two razors, if not both: A Colonial General and/or a Schick E.


You can get a Colonial head for $25, from their website. Use it with the handle from your Fendrihan. THAT will be one smooth close shave.

The E's you need to shop out of E-bay, but they aren't hard to find. I think Andrew, (@Linuxguile) might have one to sell too.

 

The E's along with the others razors I will be rehoming should arrive today. @Fly2High Frank, the fatboy or Slim on 5 or 6 should be a good jump on the aggressiveness scale. A slant in not necessarily more aggressive but more efficient while still being mild. My #3 favorite razor is the Ikon X3 slant, it feels as mild as the 34c but is as efficient as New Short comb. Also Injectors and SE's are another world entirely. I can get a BBS shave in two passes with a little touch-up with an injector or an SE where it takes a full 3 passes with a DE. They are definitely worth trying.

 

Good advise. I would add a Gillette New Long Comb or Short Comb. I found the Long Comb to be more efficient and milder than a Slim at 7+.

 

You know you are hooked when you get up at 4:45am in order to be able to do a straight shave before heading to the airport.
It was worth every groggy moment
SOTD
L&L Cuir et Épices Soap
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Portland Razor Company Siren
Lucky Tiger
L&L Cuir et Épices AS
Have a great week!

 

I had forgotten all about the News. The only vintage Gillette I really cared for. Good call.

 

I can get along with a Super Speed ok but I have yet to find a TTO that I enjoyed. I just prefer 3 piece razors. Another option along the same lines is a Ikon B1 Open Comb. It is modeled after the Gillette New Deluxe. It is a great shaver as well.

 

SOTN March 12th


Schick Repeating Razor C1
C Schick
IB Amici
Satin Tip The Purest

First shave with the Schick C1 and wowzers! This thing is aggressive! This is not a razor to use when you are in a hurry or distracted. Kept it on the cap for a smooth close shave. Two passes were all that I needed with this razor to reel in the baby. I love injectors and I love open combs, so I guess its just natural that I would love the only open comb(vintage) injector. Have a great day my friends!

 

I really like that razor, Brian. They make some cool stuff.

 

March 13, 2017
Cobra Classic
Feather Pro (2)
Shavemac ATG LE D01 2 Band
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood

​

With Physical Therapy early this morning, the entire process was rushed at best. Luckily for me everything worked well. This D01 loaded and whipped up the Reef Point Dragon's Blood quickly and easily. I did mix up the shave a little. In a hurry, I went ATG for the first pass followed by XTG and touch ups. I will only attempt a first pass ATG with Artist Club razors and a relatively new blade. At any rate, I ended up with my normal near BBS work morning shave. Better yet from start to gear cleaned up and put away was around 7 minutes. That is about as quick as I can go. A splash of Fine Vetiver and this shave is in the books. I hope everyone has a great Monday.

 

Thank you, Mark!

 

Brush masters, I measured the loft of my every-ready brush, I currently have it set at 52MM. It feels too floppy and splays more than I would like, so I want to reset the knot to perhaps 48MM as Clint suggested. I have two questions would that 4MM really make that big of a difference or should I go for a slightly deeper set? And secondly do you have any suggesting for removing the knot without damaging it. I originally set the knot in silicone and tried to remove it this weekend but it wouldn't budge. I also tried soaking the entire brush in hot water in hopes that it would soften up the silicone a little but still couldn't get it to move at all. Do you guys have any other ideas ?

 

Andrew what is the diameter of the knot as it exits the handle? If it is 24 mm then it really is not going to make that much difference any way. My guess is if you take a chop stick or long tooth pic from the top, you'll find the glue bump is already above the handle so setting it lower will not really make any difference at all.

I would soak the entire it in super hot tap water. I have always found that to work. If not I am at a loss for

 

Day 19 of 30 days of straights

I am continuing to use my Henckel 6/8 Round Toe. And got a very nice shave today. I only wish I knew of a way to "shorten up on the bat" with a razor. Any ideas?

St. James Pre-shave Oil
ABC
30mm High Mountain White set an extra 10mm deep
3 passes, WTG, XTG, XTG
Penhaglion Bayolea shave cream soothing gel
6/8 Round Toe Henckel 17 1/2

 

Speaking of aggressive razors, the Schick Repeaters are terrific if aggressiveness is desired! Great looking razor, Andrew!

 

Well, this month as a focus has fallen off the rails. My father-in-law has been in the hospital in serious condition the last couple of weeks, a friend had a very serious surgery and is undergoing an extended hospital stay, work has been busy and I've had to make a couple of unexpected short trips. So my March has been madness, but not a very focused one. I've pretty much abandoned my razor comparison in part because I've been so busy that I've not really been able to take the time to give fair due to it, and in part because I'm realizing that I can get a decent shave with every blade I have tried. Some do get there more smoothly or efficiently than others, and there are noticeable differences, but it's a game of inches, not miles. I have come away with a couple of good observations/discoveries, though.

As a recent convert to head shaves, I've pretty much settled on one setup for that purpose: my Gillette Tech with the small travel handle coupled with a Voskhod blade. I don't feel the need to vary from this setup. It does the job smoothly and well, and for an area as sensitive as the head, it's been blood free.

I've also discovered a new soap that I like quite a lot. Lisa's Natural Herbal Creations Shave Soap. I came across it while searching for something else, and for the price I had to give it a try. I ordered two soaps: Tobacco and Bay, and Sandalwood Patchouli. The Tobacco in Tobacco and Bay is a tobacco flower scent, not cigar/pipe scent. The bay is straight up bay leaf. It's a very light, herbal scent. The Sandalwood Patchouli is much more potent. If you like Patchouli, this is your stuff. If you don't like Patchouli, stay far, far away from this scent. It's far more Patchouli than Sandalwood, and the Sandalwood that is there is more woodsy than perfume. I really like it. This soap is quickly becoming one of my favorites. It's very thirsty, and I think that is due in part to the clay in the soap. The lather is very dense, and needs a lot of water or it can get a bit tacky. But man, once I hit the right water ration, it was a very slick and comfortable shave. The post shave face feel is fantastic And for two 4oz tubs shipped for under $20, I feel like it's a steal. I'll definitely be trying more scents from her if I ever get to the bottom of these two. They are not triple-milled hard, but they are not quite as soft as Stirling. They seem like they will last quite a while. I just know that I'm a believer after three shaves with it.