March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thank you Keith!

 

Day 21 of 30 days of straights

Using my Henckel 6/8 Round Toe again today. This was a CCS. It is not exceedingly close or smooth, but that is probably because I only did two passes today. I was going to go for a third pass, but seeing as how I had not cut myself on the first two passes, I decided to skip the third. My technique shows only small improvements daily, but it is improving. My improvement for today was that I managed not to cut myself and have only one small weeper.

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

 

He has the technique down!

 

I've read other reports on the Cremo that were very similar. Maybe treat it like Williams and load the heck out of with while slowly incorporating water ?

 

My progress came in jumps, there would be slow progress then after a month a big improvement then slow progress again. No cuts is always good.

 

Awesome, Neal! You set a world shaving record. Three passes with the best Ace Hardware has to offer! And for the record, you achieved victory with the Mighty Feather! Nice work!

 

I am not worthy.

 

If anyone needs medical attention I am Red Ross certified.
Nuts and bolts....

 

March 16

Gillette SA w Polsilver (4)
First Canadian Soap Co Maximo Gomez Cuba
TGN synthetic/mahogany handle
Thayers Unscented
Stirling Unscented w Menthol


Day 11 of the '69 SA 109 focus, day 4 with the Polsilver. Went 7,5,3 on the 3 passes. Another nice, smooth shave. I might try a 5th day for the Polsilver, just because. I have used this soap for 4 shaves over last few weeks or so, and I think it is enough of a sample size to give an opinion. This is a top notch soap for me. As good as anything else I use, lather-wise. It is 'Stirlingesque' in that it has a huge sweet spot with hydration. The lather is thick, plentiful, and doesn't even begin to think about breaking down after 3 passes. The scent is pleasant to me, but you'd have to enjoy tobacco scents to like it.
This was the first time I had the first pass set at '7'. Smooth, weeper-free and no irritation after 3 passes. I'm starting to realize that regardless of setting, I'm not going to achieve a true BBS on my neck unless I go ATG. The few times I have done that, it has been KABOOM in terms of irritation. My # 2 & 3 passes on my neck are opposite XTGs. ATG on face results in basically a BBS every day. I haven't noticed a significant difference upping the setting on first pass on my neck. I'm looking to have the 2 & 3 pass numbers upped for my neck and see how that goes. I'm still getting DFSs, and can only feel anything if I rub ATG. More than acceptable for work.
The face feel on this Stirling balm with Menthol is outstanding. It is turning me slowly into a Menthol fan.
Have a great day all!

 

Mostly just nuts

 

Thanks Jim! Have a great day!

 

I'll take your word on that..

 

It could definitely be the way I lathered, which is why I will give it a few more chances before I make a final decision about it. The initial lather wasn't too bad, it just went away. If I can fix that, I would be a decent soap.

 

March 16 - I am irritated

Merkur 34c HD
Gillette SharpEdge Yellow
The Phoenix brush
DIY PSO
Stirling Dunshire
Alum/TWH
AOS PSB then Nivea S-PSB

Over the last 38 hours, today would be my third shave. Today, it was evident I needed one since yesterday's wasn't as close as I like to get and I may pay for it today. Dunshire was light in scent and I now find The Phoenix needs to be reset deeper. After learning what backbone feels like, this will be its last lathering until I reset it deeper. It took some effort but a nice lather was created. In an effort to feel what a deeper set knot felt like, I wrapped one of my daughter's ponytail holder around the knot. The knot definitely had more backbone even with just more support added 3-4mm higher. The downside is that it was scritchier and not as soft as the Jayaruh synthetics. This is suppose to be a Virgina Sheng Silvertip knot. With it set deeper, I almost question if it not something lesser.

I proceeded to do a very light pressure, 3 pass shave. First pass felt silky smooth in action. I felt like the Gillette Yellow was a great blade, smooth and sharp. Second and third passes did not feel as great. this blade sounds noisier than others and also seemed to skip hair. If I did not do a ATG, I was not going to be clean. I do not know what possessed me but I decided to press the blade onto my jaw line and get cut. Just wasn't thinking. I felt myself going back over latherless areas trying to get a closer shave. I knew, this could not end well. I did get a DFS but a ton of irritation with it. My face was beet red and on fire! I do not have any menthol and cold water only provided temporary relief. I switched to AOS PSB thinking that it soothed better. After breakfast I went to the Nivea because I was still feeling the heat.

I think this is payback for too many shaves in too short a time frame. I will have to shave again tomorrow but may need the weekend to rest my face. Might pull out the electric to minimize the duration and impact. Will have to see what tomorrow brings.

I will update the reknotting an Etsy brush with the next rework.

 

March of the Soaps Focus

Klar Mandelseife & B-400 Tuxedo
The Bunny V3.1, fresh Chick blade
Alum and Avon Wild Country AS



So many soaps, only one face. Thanks to a trade with Thomas @Straight razor dandy I have the almondest of the almond scented lather. It's a small diameter aluminum tub, but quintuple milled for last forever longevity. Great thick slick full flavored lather was whipped up via an easy load with a shook out Tuxedo knot in the interchangeable ferrule of Tom's B-400 handle. An easy minute with the suribachi bowl direct from Osaka Province via a trade with John @Sparrow. Took my WTG pass with the NOTSO comb, decided I needed a fresh Chick in the Bunny. I swapped a handful of straights to Tom @twhite for what I refer to as a V3.1 Bunny. The handle is a little slimmer that those that did the Pass Around. One day I may look into thickening it up, but for now it's all good. This is one efficient injector with some great features. Tops being the changeable open combs. Three passes followed by almost unnecessary clean up fiddling left me smooth & satisfied. Alum swiped near silent, and the Avon AS finished lavender & sandalwood barbershop great.
Good Shaves Y'all!

 

Awesome shave!!

 

Kerry, we all need help, just not the kind you're trained to provide.

 

oh wait!! My training may surprise you.

 

Oh boy! I'm so sorry to hear you are having razor burn/irritation. Maybe take a day off from shaving, it happens to all of us.

 

I just had a flashback to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" except that Neal was running down the hall and waving his arms about wildly.