April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Real men shave with pink straight razor. The scales look good and it's unique.

 

I also need to go ATG. I have coarse whiskers to so I do WTG, XTG then XTG opposite direction then ATG. I can. Ow do this without irritation, doing ATG on the 3rd pass would leave me with irrritation.

 

I'm not going to argue with anyone wielding that thing! I don't care what color it is.

 

+1 on the Aramis Charlie!

 

Razor: Gillette Black Beauty (R-2) 1971
Blade: Personna 74 Tungsten Plus (9)
Brush: El Druida Barberpole Manchurian
Soap: Arko
Aftershave: Lucky Tiger

 

Great set up and a gorgeous brush amigo!

 

April 9, 2017...

- Schick E3 with Schick Injector Blade, 3rd shave
- Simpson Case Best Badger Brush
- Maggard's Sweet Orange PSO
- Mariana Soap Cottage Hometown Hero Shaving Soap
- Alum + Margarita's in the Arctic Balm for the post

So since yesterday was Saturday, I decided to skip shaving again. Which again gave me two days worth of stubble to work with. Interestingly over the last four days, I've discovered that the hair on the left side of my neck doesn't quite grow the same as the right. Not only does the hair appear to grow in a different direction, but I think there are fewer of them. With two days stubble you can definitely see a difference. It is like hair is missing.

The shave itself went smoothly. WTG fine, ATG one nick under the lower lip, and touchups one small weeper. Still haven't figured out how to stretch my jawline out (the underside of it is giving me fits), and the shave along my neck wasn't near as good as it should have been, but I'm not going for a BBS so will let it slide. My neck area is definitely something that shows irritation as the alum confirms, but it isn't searing or lasting.

The big thing regarding this shave is that I decided to use a local handmade soap I found down here on the Gulf Coast, and posted about here.

With the work week a full 5 days, that will be 5 more full shaves out of it. Will the blade last that long? Stay tuned...

 

I love the brush, Doug. It looks great in your picture!

 

I'm just starting to lean towards this as well, Keith. I have always tried to be a 3 pass (plus touch up if needed) shaver. My 3rd pass on my face can be true ATG with no issue, but not so on my neck. 2nd neck pass is XTG and 3rd is opposite XTG. My 'touch up' the last few shaves has basically been an ATG on my neck and jawline only. It has not added irritation.
Basically, my experience mirrors yours- if I go ATG on my neck on the 3rd pass it is fireworks, if I go XTG both ways first I am ok- for the last few days with an Old Type (and EJ on the weekend) anyway.

 

April 9 (Sunday ) - back on track, creams focus

Schick Krona / Topaz Platinum ( 2)
Alluminati Envy White brush
Nivea Sensitive Skin shave cream

I usually shave at night, so I got myself back onto schedule tonight. I found the Nivea Sensitive Skin cream to be amazingly good, especially at a commercial drugstore price. The tube recommended face lathering, so I tried that instead of my normal bowl lather. My face was very quickly covered in a thick creamy lather, with enough still in the brush for several extra passes. The cream says it contains chamomile and witch hazel for skin protection. The face feel was good enough that I used the leftover cream as a post shave balm, letting it sit on my face while I cleaned up the sink area before I rinsed it off. The only possible downside to this cream is that it is lacking in scent, just having a neutral "clean soap" smell.

The Schick Krona gave an excellent shave tonight. My usual diagonal passes followed by a less usual ATG pass left my neck completely BBS (for the first time ever) and my face very nearly so.

Hope everybody had a good weekend!

 

April 9 - Dorco 301 day 2

Merkur 34C
Dorco 301
23mm AOS Pure Badger
DIY PSO
Castle Forbes Lime
Alum/Thayers/Nivea SPSB

Having little knowledge of Castle Forbes, I did not know what to expect. I liked the pure lime scent and was reminiscent of a fresh baked key lime pie. Pressed into my bowl and with minimum water, I worked it to a paste and a little more water yields lots of thick, rich slick lather. Even just a touch shown it to be really slick.

The Dorco was showing wear but was able to pull off the baby in 3 passes. I was rushing to attend my daughter's soccer game so the irritation the alum indicated showed that wet shaving has three cornerstones: Speed, Tools and Technique to get an irritation free shave. When you go too fast, compromise on tools (razor, blades, soap, etc.) or deviate from good technique, the irritation will be present. Getting these three right for yourself gets you an irritation free shave or at least that is what I feel.

The alum showed some light irritation on the neck but still less than most other times. CF and I pulled off a very good shave.

The bathroom was still full of the scent of limes while I rinsed out the bowl. Even the last remnants of lather, as watered down as it was while rinsing, showed how slick this soap really is.

I am impressed with Castle Forbes and will need to add one to my den. It is unfortunate they only make 3 scents.

 

That is cool and patriotic brush, where did you get it?

 

Two shaves out of focus so no pic:

I had to shave three times in 24 hours. The first was a straight razor shave reported earlier but I need to shave again in the evening, Sunday night and then again Monday morning for work. When I have to shave this much the second and third shaves are three passes only. Despite all this shaving no irritation, as @Bama Samurai says, 'technique trumps tools' and in this case multiple shaves.

Both shaves were with my Jayuruh boar and Knize Ten soap

Sunday evening Rocnel adjustable

Monday Rocnel DE based single edge

 

Awesome April
9 April 2017
Day Ten - The Arko Challenge




Still sticking to the rule. Nine edges down for another DFS on two, twenty-one fine Russian Edges remain. Getting ready for another week of big fun on the prairie! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.


Have a Magnificient Monday!
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Welcome to the group!

 

Welcome to our group!

Derby is an extremely popular label with professional barbers, it's a very good value for the price. You are very correct about them being a very "average blade." They are very smooth, but not the sharpest blades to be had. I like using them in my shavette.

 

I would recommend following up with what I use when shaving with pink razors. You will get less ribbing than if you use the Veg.

 

Right on.

 

Congrats on the brush Doug. Knowing how bad you wanted one, I am happy for you.

 

April 10, 2017
Colonial Razors “The General”
Feather Pro (3)
WDC-8 with Druida Manchurian
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood

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The weekend was entirely too short. In addition to the normal Monday, this will be the first force commute in Atlanta post I-85 collapse. Last week was spring break which reduced traffic by 30% so today will be interesting to say the least. On a positive note, the shave this morning was excellent. The WDC-8 has a nice feel in the hand and whipped up enough lather for 5 passes. Three passes and minor touch ups ened in a near BBS which is more than good enough for a work morning. A splash of Fine Platinum and I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Monday.