April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Nice photo.

About the blade, will the brass or gold along the top get ruin d with honing? I really like the details on the blade

 

Captain's Log, 3 April 2017...

- Feather Popular TTO Razor + Polsilver Super Iridium Blade
- Dr. Jon's Savannah Sunrise Soap
- Maggard's Pre-Shave Oil, Orange
- Alum + Stirling Margarita's in the Arctic

So today was another daily shave, the third shave in a row for the month, the third shave with the Feather Popular. And the last I think. Until I get home. I know I said I would use it for a week, but I just don't feel like I'm getting anywhere with the Polsilver blade, and I find myself having to use a lot of pressure. As exhibited by tonight's shave, where I was using aggressive pressure. It seemed to work, but I was getting more nicks then (than?) normal, and just odd patches left. Even as a brand new n00b my shave's weren't this bad. Since it is a daily shave, and going for looks rather than feel right now, I got the worst of them but let some others, but I could feel the irritation. And the alum only confirmed it.

On the bright side, the Margarita's in the Arctic didn't burn that bad (perhaps the alum burned away my senses so I couldn't feel anything else). And another bright point, the Dr. Jon's is an amazing latherer. I just wish it had a stronger scent. A third bright spot was that I was able to get closer under the nose.

So after drying it off later tonight, the blade will go in the pill bottle and the razor back in the case until I get home. Tomorrow brings out the Schick E Injector... THAT should be interesting.

 

Great picture, Doug!

 

Good set up and picture, Jared. Your Bismarck is pretty.

 

Thanks for being a good sport! Watch straight razor vids about skin stretching. It will maximize your E! Good luck.

 

2nd shave of the 30 day single-edge focus.

Razor: Gem Micromatic Clog-Pruf
Blade: Gem Personna SS
Soap: Proraso Green & C.O. Bigelow
Brush: Vulfix 660S Super Badger
Post Shave: Fine Snake Bite & Proraso Menthol Balm

Great start to the week and the 30 day focus with a Menthol Monday kick. I'm in love with the scent and feel of Proraso Green & Bigelow, they're my go-to combo for a great shave. Combined with Snake Bite & Proraso Menthol Balm, my senses were fully on-point.

My major focus on SEs is blade angle. I could feel and hear when the angle was "off", which was promptly confirmed with the alum post-shave. If I purposely kept blade angle in mind, all went very well and produced a beautiful 3-pass BBS. When I forgot to concentrate or didn't manipulate the angle properly around my jaw line, blade angle suffered and so did my face. One small weeper in an area that's normally not a problem for me and some random irritation when I got lazy. Angle, angle, angle...

All in all, a DFS with the MMCP. Looking forward to a full month with only my SEs, they're just so damn cool!

 

April 4

Koraat 7/8 finished on Zulu Grey
Etsy silver tip
LASS Fougère

Today's shave was a lather fail. The lather irritated my skin and I just could not get it wet enough. I am not sure if it was the lather or the edge. The last shave with this razor the edge was very smooth and sharp, today not so much. I am inclined to believe that the lather was the issue today. At least I smell good

Irritation A- Closeness B Smoothness B Sharpness B+

 

No, thank you for the razor. Like I said, I'm not going to give up on it just yet. Just going to wait until I have a different blade to try.

 

My pleasure! Hope it treats you a little better. You can skip Krona, it's mild like that.

 

Oh, I might still have to get a Krona just to say I tried it, but yeah if I can't get anything better out of the Popular the Krona probably won't make my Top 10.

 

Arko Adjustable April!!!!!

April 3

Razor - Soviet Consul (9)
Blade - (3)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Jayaruh #46
Post - Alum

The Consul is wide open and it's definitely a wide gap. The blade isn't too wonky, barely more than last night so that's the good news. Hopefully the Voskhod will help keep its comrade in check for tonight.

The Maggard synthetic knot in the JR46 was fantastic for face lathering tonight. I rubbed the stick on my face as usual then dipped the brush and shook it a couple of times. Worked up a really great lather and loaded the brush enough that I did two full passes and squeezed enough lather out for at least two more. Good stuff. I have another synthetic on the way from West Coast.

Two full passes and the baby showed up with only one minor knick on the right side near my ear. There's just a lot of room for error on this setting with this razor. The Russians don't play around when they go aggressive. Felt smooth though and the alum wasn't too bad. Hotter than the first two days but nothing to scream about. Literally or otherwise.

Tomorrow I'll switch to the Gillette Slim and do a Grand Blade Trial shave or two. Blades to be announced. Arko, of course, will still be on the menu.

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Awesome April
3 April 2017
Day Four - The Arko Challenge


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Exceptionally nice shave today. A good Monday actually, though long, but good. Four edges gone, 26 great shaves remaining in April. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a terrific Tuesday morning!

 

Yep, this was indeed a good day. Try and do this again and again. Congrats on quiet alum, that means your angle and pressure were within the sweet spot, and your lather was good!

 

Do you find that gazing upon fine German steel makes you feel all peaceful inside? Me too.

 

It's common to line the spine of a blade with electrical tape before honing for the concern you mention.

 

That pic is TTO serenity.

 

At least he did not get started on Williams.

 

Nice photo Neal! That one is worthy of a frame.
You've been near Minimalist until these past few months. Can't wait to see which brush you picked.

 

Welcome aboard! Great focus!

 

Hello and welcome aboard!