March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Another thing I am noticing on the scoring of these is that in my screwed up reasoning, I set tried to set this up so that there was a baseline expectation and score from there. But as brushes were being added, the scores kept creeping higher. It is because if I used a brush today, and said it has the softest tips of any brush I own, but I gave brush X an 9 yesterday, then today's brush has to be a 9.5 or a 10. Pick an attribute, repeat. As much as I try to stay honest or objective about them, it is obvious to me that the brushes scored first are coming up lower than the ones scored later. The huge glaring one is the Stirling fan. I guarantee that if I used it today it would score at least five points higher than it did, because I love that brush. In that case it didn't matter because nobody picked it. Anyway, I am glad it is all in fun, because if there was anything serious on the line, this little system of mine is too messed up to be very fair.

 

March 23, 2017

Razor: Mach 3
Blade: Generic Mach3-compatible (4)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Cream: KMF fragrance-free

I've still got a decent swelling of my jaw so, rather than run the Fatboy over unfamiliar terrain, I went with the Mach 3 again. One ATG pass later, I have to say it gave a very nice, if uninspiring, shave.

 

If I understand your post correctly, I will still do it the same, just change my little note about the asterisks to reflect that the leaders are based on brushes that have been chosen. At the very end, I will post the scores in order.

 

perfect

 

I thought that might be the case. I am not sure how many brushes you have tried but it is evident that you have tried many different varieties and prices points. I think this has been a huge help to your scoring and adds to the credibility of your reviews. After you are finished with the March Madness part of the reviews, I would like to know your personal top 5.

 

Ah. Makes perfect sense. Nothing sadder than watching an unbacked horse mop the field.

It seems like inflation is a problem in all sorts of fields of endeavour...

That would be interesting.

 

March 23 (Thursday ) - SE and new soap focus
Gem 1912 SE / Gem PTFE ( 3 )
Supply Provision synthetic brush
Supply Provision tallow shave cream Lost Provence
Alum and Supply Provision Lost Provence post shave balm

A parcel arrived yesterday from Supply Provision containing two new shave creams and matching balms: Arenella Coast and Lost Provence. Arenella Coast is a sort of coastal forest scent while Lost Provence is a lavender and blue sage scent.

I tried Lost Provence today. I would describe it as a croap rather than a cream in consistency; in fact, it is virtually the same hardness as their previous soap. The main difference seems to be that it now comes in a narrow and deep glass jar instead of a wide flat plastic tub. And the directions recommend rubbing a fingerful onto a damp face and then face lathering instead of loading a brush from the tub and either face or bowl lathering. Certainly the 2" diameter jar makes brush loading from the jar somewhat difficult.

I smeared a fingerful onto a damp brush and then bowl lathered as usual. I added too much water and ended up with runny lather. However the runny lather still did a good job of providing the slick glide and protection one expects from a good tallow soap. Next time, I will try rubbing on my face and face lathering as recommended and see what results.

The scent was a very soothing country summer scent. The post shave feel was smooth and moisturized. The squirt of balm simply extended both the scent and the feel.

The actual shave with the Gem 1912 was a quick, smooth DFS. I am now able to shave as well with the Gem-style SEs as with a DE or injector, which was the aim of my March focus. Preference between injectors vs. DE is pretty much a coin toss depending on day, mood and razor. Of the two single-edge styles though, I much prefer the injectors. (So far -- I have yet to try the later Gems: the MMOC, Clog-Pruf, G-Bar or Featherweight.)

 

Another thing is aesthetics being a score that carries as much weight as anything else. I know that score alone has skewed results.

 

Well, I just blew out the window my focus to remain NB 17 from March to my birthday in May. Couldn't say no to an opportunity to get 20% off with a Maggard's deal. I wanted After The Rain, but settled for Marshlands, as the former was sold out. Changes things for my birthday blitz, but not altogether. These are aftershaves from L&L Grooming.

 

Nice choice. I would not have guess you to pick that one. I like it very much.

 

well, it looked like the second best to me besides After The Rain. What I like is that it appears to be an all-year AS, from its description.

 

It is very "outdoorsy". At least the soap is. Smells very much like a marsh in the springtime. Earthy.

 

-Fessom 6/8
-Epsilon White Horse
-Stirling Gentleman

I bought a pink razor thinking it would help convince my wife to let me shave her legs with it.

 

Razor: Ever-Ready SE 1914
Blade: GEM Personna (5)
Brush: Shavemac ATG LE The Nisky Silvertip Fan
Soap: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle
Aftershave: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle Balm

Very close comfortable 3 pass near BBS shave tonight. I really like the feed back I get from the Personna GEM blade.

 

I almost choked on my beer with that one. That suggestion in my home would get me the Lorena Bobbitt stare

 

It appears I'm getting it at the right time(Spring), although it is described as being dry enough for the winter.

 

Beautiful photo Doug. You've become a master of outdoor photos.

 

as I recall, tjhat Bobbitt man was very nervous with his speech.

 

Even if she'd let me I don't think I'd dare. I mean, shaving a leg would be a piece of cake, but could you imagine if for any stupid reason, I cut her? Remember that look Adam's wife had? There aren't enough margaritas on earth to live that one down.