April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

April 2 (Sunday) - cream focus

Gillette Old Type Ball End / Voskhod (2)
Supply Provision synthetic brush
Vitos Eucalyptus cream
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original Astringent

Today I tried my second Gillette Old Type - the ball end. Again it's a razor in good mechanical condition but with the original silver plate heavily worn, especially on the cap which is now bare. No serial number so probably from the 1920s.

The razor felt more touchily aggressive than the Single Ring Old Type although still easily controllable. A single diagonal / XTG pass gave me a DFS with no nicks, weepers or irritation.

I tried the first of my new creams today, the Vitos Eucalyptus. Instead of a tube, the 100ml of cream came in a broad, shallow tub - with quite a bit sticking to the lid from being jostled in transit. Not a cream I would pack in my carryon bag to travel. It's quite a moist, runny cream that easily whipped into lather with just a bit of water. The scent is quite strong and is straight eucalyptus. For the rest, it's a shave cream and does the job - neither outstanding nor mediocre

 

I would echo everything that Screwtape said. I also did a 30 day rule when I started in the fall. I hadn't joined TSD yet, but did pick the concept up from this thread. Used a EJ 89lbl and an Astra SP for a month from most of November into December. Started out with AoS Sandalwood, but did switch to a Tcheon Fung Sing soap part of the way through (sorry if that disqualifies me from true 30 day Rule status...).
If I was to offer a piece of advice in addition to the excellent technique advice above, BaylorGator, it would be to reconsider your idea of using a blade until it is too dull. IMHO, you won't get a true indicator of your technique. I'd go three blades and out for consistency.

 

I will say that drinking so much coffee you get the jitters right before shaving is not a great idea; even worse when shaving with a straight. Maybe it's just my experience, but that is one time I say too much is too much.

 

It's one of my favorite brushes as well. I here you. If I had the money I would have a closet full of custom brushes.


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Glad you made it back safely! I hope you and your bride had a great time!

 

Beautiful picture, Clint!

 

April 2 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling British Leather SS
Schick Adjustable
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling British Leather AS

 

Cool photo, Jim! Is your Stirling Unscented the type with menthol added? It has quickly become my favourite Stirling balm.

 

Another stunning photo, Clint, with a great set up. I feel like I could say that everyday after reading your posts...

 

Thank you, Jason! The balm is with menthol. I like it so much, I use it after every shower, whether I shave or not.

 

Thank you Jim.

 

Beautiful photo Jim.

 

Thank you Jason.

 

Thank you, Clint!

 

-Dovo Bismarck
-Epsilon Poor Man's Chubby
-Arko
-Stirling Orange Chill

This month, as much as work will allow, I am going to use one straight per week. This week's is the 6/8 Bismarck. The biggest goal I am hoping to achieve with it this week is to not drop it, ding the bevel and have to send it out to be repaired. I really like the feel of this razor in the hand. The way the tang is shaped, and the thumb notch make it feel very comfortable and stable. I really will be working mainly on angle this month, and trying to optimize it. The Artist Club style razors may be way less forgiving about flaying your face, but they seem way more forgiving about angle. It didn't take long to see that the straights are a little more finicky.

Feeling full of team spirit, I grated up a stick of Arko and went to town with it. Arko was one of, if not the first soap I bought when I started visiting forums. See, I was still a frugal minimalist type then, and the ridiculously low price was pretty appealing. I love the soap. I enjoy the scent, it is easy to lather, slick, but I am a dry skin type of guy, and Arko doesn't help that at all.

So I hadn't used it in at least a year, and I figured since I was going to lecture about how to lather it, I had better step up. I do miss an Arko shave. I had a bunch a good slick lather and I love the old school soap smell. Something about it reminds me of my gramma's laundry room. I am going to work this in every once in a while in the warmer months when my skin can take it.

@Fly2High - this is what I mean about shiny gloop. In these pictures it still needs a touch of water, but I always test and finish it on my face, not in the bowl when it isn't a soap I am really familiar with. I lather up, flick my brush under the dribbling faucet if it needs more. That way I don't mess up the whole bowl with a misstep. Again, some people might not like it this soft; this is just how I do it, and it is slick as baby snot.

 

You are the Lather Making Jedi Master. Seriously you do a wonderful job explaining and teaching the the concept.

 

Thank you sir. I like making lather. I feel like a little kid. I probably need to get a tub toy to put on my little counter. Maybe I could float it in the sink while I shave.

 

Lather making, yes. Not so much on the minimalist concept. Just about got my AD's in check. Along comes the Parade of Superior Brushes.

 

Jared,

Thank you for taking the time to give such great detail. It will not go wasted. Busy with housework but I shaved earlier today and might have some photos for The TSD gang to scrutinize. I measured some Stirling and used a reasonable amount of water and got it nice and thick. Later, for fun, I hand lathered to see if I could get it shinier. Will leave you with this cliffhanger so as to wait for the photos and the results of my shave.

Thanks again

 

My uncle has a soft fine beard and is able to make a cartridge last 6 months, no joke. And they call me Frugal!