March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

March Madness
Barbasol and Barber Blade Edition
Vernal Equinox (Day 20)




Today represents the last Shave on the prairie for a bit...and the usual two pass fun was had by all.

It's vacation time. I will be taking 8 days off from mod responsibilities and will only post a few updates and maybe some fun photos as some of the Samurai family are doing stuff for the next week.

So here's some stuff:

Samurai Travel Kit - Shavette on the road, live and without a safety net.

Parker SRX
Shark and Derby
Barbasol
Alum
Skin Bracer (TSA spray bottle)
Adidas Dynamic Pulse

The basic thoughts on March...

Shavettes are more hype than bite. If one can handle a straight, these are a breeze. However, the technique is a little different than SR, but with practice and mastery yields the same gentle smooth shave as a straight. I've been using the barber blades as intended, and discarding after one use.

1. Barbasol is still quite serviceable as shaving lather, and yields good results when used with Barber tools. I admit it's nowhere near as "cool" as shave soap, but I feel like it's $2 well spent. It works. It's consistent. Gotta admit...looking forward to Arko April and the return of the Plisson. It's more fun than cans, but not functionally very different in my usage.

2. It's marginally apparent that Shark is a sharper blade than Derby, but not enough difference to rant about. Besides, the next shave is always a fresh edge, these blades cost seven dollars per hundred, or seven cents a piece. This has let me just zone out with a super sharp bevel daily, and two passes is pretty close to BBS, excepting the neck and jaw corners where I don't try for BBS on a daily basis. A pin drop of blood or two isn't really rare, but the shaves are usually very comfortable, alum verified as light pressure, and still smooth after six hours.

3. The Magic has taken over top place in my limited arsenal. I do months, and so rotation isn't my thing, per se. Let's just say that there will be a lot more of this razor in 2017. I am taking the Parker on the road to give it a fair test. I haven't used it enough to judge it just yet, and this is a perfect change point.

4. Everyone should listen to the record Foxbase Alpha by Saint Etienne. Here's a link: Cool Obscure 80s. Preferably on a sunny day with a cute little redhead, maybe on a beach, maybe on an island in the middle of nowhere...and be sure to have a healthful supply of cool beverages, and always wear your best sunglasses. It's what I'll be doing...

5. Smile more. It's Spring again. Time to begin anew. Not really shaving related, but it could be.

6. If you need to rock, children, lean on F#. It's so true. Tom Morello and Bama Samurai both endorse. This is notnshaving related either, unless you enjoy hard rock like Bulls on Parade while holding an open blade under your jawline. I think audible razor feedback is essential to my zone, so my shaves are done in silence, stropping off the lather into a towel rather than running a faucet.

7. Kind of random, but the number of Flat Earth Conspiracy videos on Youtube is disturbing. Seriously, check it out. Mind blowing and ridiculous, yet fascinating and well done videos. Give or take a few fundamental laws of physics, but who's counting, right? Also not really shaving related.

8. Carriage bolts. More proof that Techniques Trump Tools. We have amassed an amazing collection of guys here. Let it sink in that these guys know shave technique so well that even seemingly crazy improvised tools become something approaching routine. And on top off that, they spend their time online helping others (read newbies) figure out methods to make whatever tool the newbie has on hand into a great shave. That doesn't happen much online.

Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great week, and make it a great Spring!

 

Have a great vacation! And if you're travelling out of the country, make sure your navigator knows enough to avoid the Edge. I hear the waterfalls where the oceans pour over the Edge of our magnificent flat Earth can be absolutely brutal....

 

Thank you! Insomnia reigns!

Yes. When we approach the two hundred foot ice wall that mere fools mistake for Antarctica, I hope our captain proceeds with caution.

 

Thank you,the scales warped and were rubbing when I closed the razor so I sent it off to Mastro Livi. It turns out the scales had been replaced. Mastro Livi was great to work with and put on 'true ML' scales. His customer service was excellent.

I bought this razor at least third hand and paid a great price for it so I'm still happy with the original purchase. A friend new I was excited to try a ML razor and hooked me up. The new ML scales really look great, I'm pleased I decided to sent it ML for rescaling.

 

March 21 SOTD:

Omega Boar Brush
Bain Amour Southern Gentleman
Gem MM Bullet Tip
Stirling Unscented PSB
Fine Platinum AS

I need easy two pass DFS this morning. I used this soap I picked up on a business trip to New Orleans a year or two ago. It doesn't see much action, but it is a decent soap. It builds a nice lather, but the proto lather is a little odd. It is a but clumsy and almost slimy. It does end up working nicely, just an odd beginning. The soap is slick enough and has a pleasant scent. I wouldn't tate it as a top soap by any stretch, but it is far from the worst as well.

The MM did a great job, although it is time to throw this blade away. I am not sure how many shaves I have on it, but I don't remember the last time I got a SE blade out of the pack. I just rotate a blade other two between all my razors. I capped this nice shave with some Fine Platinum, which has a terrific scent. It is off to start the day. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

You sir, have become the cartoon king. Nice shave.

 

Thank you, Jared. You aren't the first person to reference cartoons when talking about me.

 

Love the filter effect Jim. I look forward to your posting each morning.

 

Chris, have a fantastic vacation! Great summary.

 

March 21, 2017​

Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti​

Feather Pro Super (10)​

Romera Olive Wood Synthetic​

Reef Point Tranquility​

Fine Lavender​

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Since I have a Doctor's appointment this morning I get to miss rush hour and enjoy a much more relaxed pace for the morning routine. This little brush is just a lather making machine. The Romera is different from what I would normally prefer in a brush but the change up makes it a joy to use. With a rich cooling slick base of lather, I went with my normal 2 pass routine, XTG followed by ATG. With a few touch ups along my jaw and neck, I ended up with a near BBS. A splash of Fine Lavender and I am ready to see the Dr. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

Thank you, my friend! Have a great day!

 

Beautiful picture, Clint! I love the setting, and the razor just looks great.

 

Have a safe and fun trip, Chris. I really enjoyed reading your musings from this month.

 

That pic is outstanding. The Tranquility soap outside on the rocks, gives it a fantasy quality. Like just look a little to the left.....



Good luck with the doc.

 

Love the look of that razor's handle

 

Thank you Jim

Jared, thank you. I never thought of the soap's name as I set up the shot. I just do what I feel is right and I have so much to learn.

 

Well, it sure worked. Well.

 

March 21 (Tuesday) - Gem-style SE and new soaps focus
Gem 1912 Junior / Gem PTFE ( 10)
Chinese hardwood w/ 24mm Maggard plissoft
Proraso White soap
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original

I have to meet some people today so I did a quick morning touchup shave.

Tried the Gem Junior - basically an original 1912 design head with a plastic handle. It turned out to be a mild shaver, very easy to use, with no need to shim the blade like the 1914 and 1924s.

I think it may be time to retire the blade though...

 

Day 26 of 30 days of straights

I had a major victory today. to some it may seem minor, but I am claiming victory. My face does not hurt after my shave today. Not only did I not cut myself, but I also managed a truly BBS shave without any significant irritation. I even went the last pass against the grain. I am learning.

3 passes with no nicks, cuts, weepers or irritation.

DIY Pre-shave Oil
ABC
30mm High Mountain White set an extra 10mm deep
3 passes, WTG, XTG, ATG
Sampsons All Natural Aftershave Balm
6/8 Round Toe Henckel 17 1/2

 

Congrats. Your progress has been amazing.


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