March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

-Seelbach "Tula" 5/8 SP
-Manhandled Woods Ubersoft II
-Jeeves of Hudson Street Velvet Jacket
-Stirling Gentleman

The process of learning to shave with straights is interesting. Most straight shavers will tell you when asked, not to learn on a shavette, and I mostly agree with that for several reasons, but if you were to use an Irving Barber for instance: the shape of the blade is incredibly similar to a 5/8 straight. You eliminate the variable of proper stropping, and wondering if the blade is right. The feel to the IBC is incredibly similar. All you have to do is learn to shave. Now playing with straights, all I have to worry about is stropping and maintenance.

One thing I can say is that the straights are exponentially more forgiving than a Feather blade. I have yet to draw blood with a straight, but several times have felt it push or catch and have been able to back off, slipups that for sure would have drawn blood with a Feather. I probably paid with a little more blood to learn the route I did.

When I bought this razor from Maggard's I wanted to know if I was doing okay stropping, so I shaved the first time without stropping first; then stropped after, and before my shave today. It was improved, so at least I know I am not hurting anything. Brad has a good reputation as a honemeister, so it also gave me a chance to find out if the first one I bought was truly shave ready. The edge was comparable to the first one I bought, so at least I know what I should be looking for. I want to send one to Glen sometime and feel that. Then I know I have baseline to compare to.

I had plenty of time today, and I spent some extra on cleanup. I am so smooth that dolphins are jealous. Today was full blown BBS, only the second one I have pulled off since I started this, 70 shaves ago. I have been close a lot of times, but always manage to miss a little spot or two. Not today.

 

Razor: Trac II
Blade: Col. Conk Trac II (3)
Brush: Brass handle w/ Black Badger?
Soap: Captain's Choice Sandalwood
Aftershave: Captain's Choice Sandalwood

 

Prayers are out for your Father-in-law @SharptoothC.

 

Much appreciated, sir.

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Thank you, sir.

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Thank you, sir.

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Congrats on the BBS. I have enjoyed following your progress.

 

Beautiful photo Doug. How is the Trac II treating you?

 

Good luck with the meetings and safe travels. You are braver than I would be with the nut and bolt setup before going in for a meeting.

 

Thanks Buddy, it has been kind of fun. I guess you know you are getting the hang of it when the rush you get from doing something stupid starts to fade.

 

@SharptoothC - Prayers and good thoughts for your father and law and friend. To you too, to be able to be there for them.

 

Thanks Clint. The Trac II isn't as much fun as my other razors, however, it is different and that's a good thing. I can't remember the last time I used one.

 

Thanks, Mr. Pickled.

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So I had a few hairs, and instead of waiting until tomorrow morning and using the electric, I decided to go ahead and wet shave. My plan was to do one pass against the grain and see where that got me.

Razor - Maggard's MR5 with V3A Head
Blade - Polsilver
Brush - Maggard Synthetic 24mm
Soap - TSD Gunmetal
Post - Alum+Thayers Witch Hazel+Conk's Desert Breeze Lotion

So it was the second shave with the TSD Gunmetal soap. Still not a strong scent. I soaked my brush this time and left it wet and got to work. Soap started foaming up, and then BOOM! Lather was spilling out. Not good lather mind you, but lather no the less. Definitely too much water. But even as wet as it was, it didn't disappear on me.

So after one pass it was meh. So then I lathered again and went XTG. Better, but still some spots needing some work. So I did some touch ups/buffing, which gave me some nicks. Too much pressure. The alum set fire to my jawline, but that was expected. So we will see if I shave again tomorrow, or decide to skip and shoot for Wednesday.

 

I think the Trac II's are pretty alright. TBH, if I would have known how cheap you could buy the Personna carts from Amazon, I maybe would have never bought my first DE. Not saying they're as good of a shave as my other razors, but I never would have been dissatisfied enough to be out looking for a change.

 

That 3A head can be tough one to buff with. Make sure your skin is super stretched.

When your lather does that, just let that stuff plop off into the sink, and keep loading right through it.

 

I hope the heath of the people you care about takes a turn for the better and the madness of March returns to calm for you.

 

Two shave reports one post.

So I had an urgent meeting and did not have enough time for a straight razor shave, what to do? Pick a really cool looking DE blade and load it into my ATT H1. This is the second blade from a very generous PIF from @Screwtape. The ATT H1 is not a loud razor but with this blade there was lot of noise in the den during the shave. So the blade looks cool, sounds cool and it delivered an excellent shave.

Irritation A+ Closeness A

Back on focus with Silverloaf kamisori, AoS tallow and Thäter silver tip.

I did not do make a super lather today just AoS tallow. Wet slick lather perfect for a straight razor shave. The last time this razor was a little slippery, I think it was due to some oil on the handle. This time I made sure the razor had all the oil removed from it and that made a big difference. The razor came 'shave ready' by every meaning of the words, very sharp. Today I was more comfortable with he grips and delivered a wonderful shave. Just a small tickle on the the left jawbone area and a very smooth face.

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness A Sharpness A+

 

We will pray for your father-in-law and friend. For you, March started very hard. I hope that it ends like a lamb and you and yours can return to many good times to come.

All the best

 

Jared,
Congrats on attaining the skills! I am not sure I have the brass ones to SR shave. Awesome.