March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Razor: Mongoose B2 w/Hempel Ti
Blade: Kai Captain TITAN (5)
Brush: Shavemac ATG LE The Rowl Silvertip
Soap: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle
Aftershave: Floid Blue
Bowl: Tom White 3 D printer bowl.

 

Lovely photo Doug. You certainly live in a beautiful area.


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Thanks very much Clint.

 

Thank you!

 

Beautiful picture, Doug!

 

Thank you, thank you very much Jim.

 

Without bashing your razor TOO much, have you examined it closely? The Fendrihan razors didn't sell overly well, because of, (and I don't remember exactly which ones), blade issues: wavy blade, un even lineup side to side....They weren't generally considered comfortable to use razors, and the casting was inconsistent. You can google search reviews on it; I think Sharpologist had a pretty extensive writeup.

You should think about buying an R41 head from Maggards and using it on the Fendrihan handle. That would be a definite way to get a close but more comfortable shave. If you are going to use a really aggressive razor, you would do your face a favor by learning on a smooth one. I just remember a thread you started the other day about medium aggressive razors, and this one got me thinking. Your face might not dislike the Fendrihan because of the level of aggression, it might dislike it because it isn't a very well made razor.

 

-Fessom 6/8"
-Rudy Vey Shavemac 28mm
-Stirling Piacenza Soap and Splash

A nice but quick Sunday shave. I have found that if my blade is sharp enough, I can do two WTG passes, and one sort of XTG/cleaning up pass, that leave me somewhere between CCS and DFS. This goes very quickly, and is a more than good enough shave for public consumption. With a fat, well loaded brush and a face lather, I can pull this off plenty quickly for an out the door morning shave.

 

The spine on a wider razor is normally thicker. The angle for me is normally to keep the razor 2-3 spine widths from my face. As widths in razors change, this can look and feel like a huge difference. It normally takes me a couple of shaves with a bigger or smaller razor to get it figured out.

 

Do you have a preference in the size of razors, Adam? Or is it one of those things where they are all just different and you enjoy them for their individual traits?

 

Here is it next to the 34C. I also see uneven exposure from the 34C (right) or is it me?



34C has an unused Polsilver Super Iridium and the Scientist has a once (2 pass) Astra SP in them.

If I push down on the blade, I notice the 34C is more tightly sprung compared to the Scientist.

Here is a side shot of the Scientist

How does it look?

You might be right. Although my Fatboy was not that great when I went about 7 which is why I was looking in between the mild 34C and an aggressive razor.

Maybe we need a challenge month with this instead of nuts and bolts!!!

So should it be destined for the recycling bin?

 

My preferences only, YMMV:

• 4/8 are to small to have enough weight to cut without pressure or skipping. I avoid them.
• 5/8-6/8 are the goldilocks size. Big enough to have heft and not need much pressure. Small enough to be, quick, nimble, and easy to maneuver.
• 7/8 feels big and heavy enough to slow down and pay attention. A little harder to find the right angle with. Once you get it, it cuts like crazy.
• 8/8 and bigger. Slow down, pay attention. If you drop this thing, it weighs enough to remove anything it hits on the way down. That no pressure thing you thought you had figured out, just kidding, here's some razor burn. Each use makes you more manly and happy. Makes it difficult to use other razors for a while. (Can't wait until my Korrat 8/8 Spanish tip gets here.)

 

It's also individual to each razor. The grind, tip, size, weight, and even the shape and weight of the scales all contribute to how well the razor works. Every straight shaves a little differently. Some are really friendly to my face, and some don't get along with it well. Most SR shavers have a preference, then have favorites that are way outside of that preference. It's like Pokémon.

 

For my Friday and Saturday shaves, I tried a different American brand of Razors. Thistle Cultlery Co was around from 1890ish-1925ish. They started in New York, then moved to Freedmont, OH. They have very hard steel. Glen referred to Thistle razors as "Rarer than hen's teeth," so I found two of
them. Friday I shaved with the wooden handles one from Ohio, and Saturday with the black handled one form New York. The NY one was a bit smoother, but both were good shaves.

Finally finished my sample of Mama Bear Soap Lilly of the Valley. If you like a light, clean floral scent, this is a good one. I will get a full tub of it when I get my inventory down some. I have a half sample of Wheat State and one more sample of Mama Bear and I will have use all my samples up. (That was my February focus, and it will have gone into April.)

Also spent this afternoon starting to organize my next Den purge. I have 4 DEs, 3 injectors, a Mongoose, and 16 straights to rehome. Debating if I should just list them now, or wait until I have them honed.

 

I don't know, and I wasn't trying to pee in your corn flakes either, I just wanted to throw it out there. Mainly, that I can only remember a couple of people giving much for positive feedback about them, and a ton of them with either mixed feelings, or simply not caring for them. I think they were reported to be rough shavers, that's all. Considering that you don't have a lot to compare it to in terms of aggressive razors, it just might be a tough one for forming opinions.

The R41 was the easiest to use of the aggressive razors I have ever owned. A guy can pick up the heads alone for $20 ish bucks, and they are at least known for a consistent build. They are also super easy to sell if it isn't for you. People are always looking for them.

 

Have a safe journey, and may you return to us in good health!

 

It would cost $2.40 to change daily on a monthly basis. Less than the price of one modern cart.

 

Dark. Side.

 

(DE answers)
Razor head design and angle of attack at the skin is what determines volume. I haven't noticed a difference between blade brands vis a vis audible feedback.

 

Dark side....