March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thank you Jim.

 

Very cute picture Jim. Thank you for making my morning.

 

Almost choked on coffee with this one.

 

Thank you, Clint!

 

You progress has really been impressive. Congrats on the honing skills.

 

That looks like the best day ever. You have great kids. That picture made MY day!!!

 

That is a gorgeous razor, Brian. Is the handle spalted birch? It's almost enough to make me want to get into SR shaving -- some of the equipment is absolutely magnificent, especially for a knife nut like me. It's the thought of all the daily maintenance hassle that really puts me off. Which, come to think of it, was one of the big selling points of disposable blade safety razors when they first came out...

But if any razor could lead me to make the plunge anyway, that would certainly be one of them.

 

Congrats on the sharpening and honing skills. Also the SR shaving ones. Awesome accomplishment.


I like that handle. From what I have learned from your brush reviews and my own trials, for me that looks to be a comfortable shape.

 

Welcome! Jump right on in! This is the best place to learn with others who love shaving. We're all learning something new every month even if it doesn't look like it sometimes! Don't let the shenanigans fool you. We're a serious bunch.

 

Yes, this one has a spike tip which can be intimidating. It takes some care around the ear area. I also have razors with rounded tips. While I love the looks of this one, I have to say that this style is much easier to use.

 

Thank you. Yes, it's birch burl. It's a beautiful piece of wood. If you learn to strop, you can keep a nice edge going for a long time. Do what I do, buy lots of them and rotate. It keeps honing issues to a minimum

 

March 25 - Frugal Frank and Rapira is done

Merkur 34C
Rapira Platinum Lux (day 3)
23mm AOS pure badger
DIY PSO
Stirling Tuscany
Alum/ Thayer's WH
Nivea S-PSB

With my lathering skills getting better, I decided to see how Che... Frugal I can be with the soap. I only did a 15 sec swirl in the Tuscany and made the perfect lather. It was enough for 3 passes and just a bit. Normally, that would be enough but not today. Tuscany has grown on me and now I think I am really enjoying it. It is becoming my weekend scent for casual laid back days. Still reminds me a bit of fruit punch but it makes me remember summer days as a kid so that might be why it is growing on me.

The Rapira PL treated me well on day 1 and showed some wear on day 2. Today, it was behaving like the Astra SP that was worn in that it was comfortable but wasn't cutting as well as it had. I needed 4 full passes to get DFS+ needing to replicate the ATG pass for the 4th . I also needed lots of touch up work. During the first pass WTG I needed to steepen my angle because I did not feel much cutting going on. All the passes and touch up work combined with needed a steeper angle I was expecting a very irritated face. The alum was very tingling to the point of almost being hot but quieted quickly. Resulting shave was very good but I decided to retire the blade even though it did result in a good shave. Time is my other criteria. When it just takes too long, I believe the blade has dulled too far to continue use. It was just dull enough to notice it was past its prime but sharp enough to let me finish one final shave.

Have loaded a Polsilver Super Iridium for Monday. Might try the Scientist with an Astra SP for Sunday.

Wishing you all tranquil and close shaves!

 

Thank you, Frank!

 

Thank you. My skills are VERY rudimentary at this point, but I am pretty happy that I can make it happen. Since I don't plan on being much of a restore guy, it is just nice to know that I can pick up an old razor from ebay or wherever if it catches my eye, and make it shave.

The brush is quite comfortable. Just big enough to grip nicely. A friend from another forum turned it for me. It is actually turned for a 28mm knot. The omega knot in its cup JUST fills the hole, but I liked a boar knot on that wood.

 

I used to try to keep track of the number of uses on a DE or SE blade. Now, like you've discovered, there's an expected feel to a dull blade. Sure you can push it for just one more shave. Maybe. For me the blades are cheap enough I'll toss one when it gives the signs it's dulling.
Life's too short for mediocre shaves!

 

I was in the same boat as you, @Screwtape. I really didn't think I wanted to deal with the maintenance either, but in hindsight, it really (I think) turned out to be over- hyped. I would say it took me a month to get comfortable with stropping, refreshing, basic honing and storing them. I have six razors shave ready now, so could easily go over a month just with stropping. Refreshing a razor on lapping film literally takes a few of minutes, by the time you put your stuff away.

I spent very little on stones and equipment. I am not saying it is the best way to do it, (in fact it for sure isn't) but I am proof that you don't need to drop much money on it to get started. I also have some stones on my list that I want now, but I don't need to rush, that's for sure.

The only thing I think is a must is to have your first razor honed by someone who really knows what they are doing. It will establish a baseline for what it should feel like.

 

Well I have just had my fourth every DE shave:

L' Oreal face wash
Warm Towel prep
Palmolive Original cream
Omega Pro 49 Boar
Merkur 34c HD
Astra SP (new)
L'Oréal postbalm
CK aftershave.

As promised I really concentrated on the technique. For the first time I used my left hand for the left side of my face.
This to me is so much more difficult than it looked.
1st pass resulted in much more stubble on my left side than right.
2nd pass a little better but by no means to a standard that I would want and my third pass has left me still with a sandpaper feel on the left side of my face.
Some parts of my right side (Cheeks) are smooth.

Message to myself:
Must keep practising and MUST NOT become despondent.

lots to learn guys!

 

Time and talent are what blocks me right now. Money for the stones and such is also a blocker.

Since I am terrible at knife sharpening, how long does it take to get a razor sharp?
How do you know when and for how long to strop?

Can you strop before putting them away or the night before and then just go straight to shaving the next day, or do you have to strop right before use?

 

Congrats! Keep it up and your efforts will be rewarded. I just started Feb 1 myself so you can see my progress in the Feb and March rules/focus threads. These guys are the best teachers. Do not be afraid to ask. Also, the more detail the more opportunity they have to indicate areas for improvement.

As for the Merkur 34C, we all have blades that work best for us so grab a sample pack and try some different ones. For me with my tough beard and sensitive skin, blade choice makes a difference. So far I like Astra SP, Gillette SharpEdge Yellows, Rapira Platinum Lux and I think highly of the Voskhod teflons but for me the others were slightly better.

 

Many thanks for your support and advice, it is more than appreciated.
Wayne