April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Congrats. You are on the right track. Now that you are in 30-40 shaves keeping most of the things constant will pay huge dividends but still allow experimentation.

 

Just in case you didn't know, the soap's name is "Uncle Joe". It's kind of funny for me. Maybe you should put this as soundtrack while you shave:

It's true, but the temptation of trying new blades is so strong! Tomorrow i will try Personna Blue. I just HAVE to try one, just to see how much is the difference with Derby and whether i can shave with a sharper blade or not. Then, i will go back to Derby and continue the monthly pseudofocus.

 

Well, she got the looks and Neal got the smarts.

 

Razor: Gillette Black Beauty (R-2) 1971
Blade: Personna 74 Tungsten Plus (13)
Brush: El Druida Barberpole w/Manchurian
Soap: Eufros Brisa da Oriente
Aftershave: Stirling Executive Man Balm.

 

Wonderful photo Doug. You've become the outdoor photo master. It's amazing how long the Personna 74 blades last. How many shaves to you think this one will last?

 

That SA looks like it is right out of the package, Doug. Beautiful combo!

 

Thanks very much Jason.

 

Thank you Clint. I have no idea how long this blade will last. I'm not sure of the difference between the Tungsten and the Tungsten Plus blades.

 

I am not sure of the difference either. Looks like you'll have fun experimenting. I am planning on using the Personna 74 in another endurance test this summer. I enjoyed consistently good shaves the last time.

 

Gorgeous amigo!

 

Thanks very much Mark.

 

April 13, 2017...

So last night I went to the Biloxi Shuckers home opener. The Shuckers are the AA affiliate of the Brewers. Good fun game, but the Shuckers lost. So I was able to shower last night, but I didn't work a shave in. Which means today I shaved twice. In the morning I broke out the electric razor which gave the appearance of a clean shave, but was anything but. But as always, it allowed me to have just a bit more stubble for the evening shave.

The equipment:
- Shick E3 Injector Razor w/ Shick Injector Blade (5th use, I think).
- Simpson Case Best Badger Brush
- Maggard's Sweet Orange PSO
- Mariana Cottage Hometown Hero Soap
- Alum + Stirling Margaritas in the Arctic for the post shave experience

For tonight's shave, I decided to try a WTG/ATG two pass with touch up shave. Last time it was a XTG/ATG. I'm trying to see what gives me the most efficent two pass shave, and so far no winners. First pass went well, stubble reduction, no irritation, no nicks or weepers. Second pass was equally as well, again no nicks or weepers so I was especially pleased. After rinsing with some hot water, i started feeling around my face to see where the touch ups were needed. The neck, under the chin, and jawline were to be expected, so I took the brush and began applying a thin coat of lather. Then razor in hand got to work. Most areas I was able to get clean, and learned some new directions to use to get that smooth shave (or did I?). Directly under the chin, or rather the point of the chin always takes me a bit to get, and it was here that I got my first weeper. I have only myself to blame though as I didn't apply lather.

So I was getting ready to rate this maybe a DFS- shave, but during the post shave experience after drying off some of the spots that I thought I had gotten nice and smooth weren't so smooth after all. So I think maybe a B- is acceptable, since I did fairly good on the jawline and only had one weeper.

The Mariana Cottage soap did good again, and I'm starting to learn a few things. Initially it doesn't take a lot of water to get two passes worth of lather out of it. But the longer it sits, the more airy it gets. If you lather directly on the puck you shouldn't have a problem with running low on product. But if you bowl or face, you might need to reload. Never the less I had enough to finish. Tonight will be the last night for this soap, as it will be time to move on to something else.

Since tomorrow is Friday I probably won't shave, but Saturday could bring new adventures.

 

Friday shave

Today's razor was finished on the Shapton 16k and already has a shave on it. This Drew Dick 5/8 always seems to take wickedly sharp edge and today was no exception. It is a very hollow grind and shaving with razor sounds like pulling velcro apart, very cool. The edge feels allot like a Feather Pro, very very sharp. I do like the smile this razor has.

Four passes and no blood except for one pimple that was removed and just tickle from the alum. Longs lasting dolphin smooth face today.

Irritation A Closeness A+ Smoothness A Sharpness A+

 

April 13 (Thursday ) - creaming along on focus
Schick Krona / Topaz Platinum ( 2 )
Alluminati Envy White brush
Vi-John shaving cream
Alum and cold water and Vi-John

Tonight's cream was another Indian offering, Vi-John. It bills itself as "Asia's largest selling shaving cream" and touts the benefits of having Vitamin E as well as lanolin in it for that healthy skincare. I would say it is another solid middle-of-the-pack performer. The smell of this basic cream is just an unidentifiable pleasant clean, soapy scent -- there are lime and menthol versions that are no doubt somewhat different. So no points for a great scent but no negatives either. It face lathers easily and provides good basic protection. I found the lather dissipated more quickly than others, so my chin and upper lip looked nearly bare by the time I got to them, but the protective slip and glide were still there. Face feel was good though not as "silky" as with some other lanolin soaps or creams. I put the leftover lather on my face as a balm at the end to test the postshave feeling. My face feels good - soft and smooth although a little bit dry.

My shave tonight gave me a good close shave with no irritation and no stinging from the alum after diagonal passes and an ATG pass.

Hope everyone has a good Easter weekend.

 

Today I decided to clean and hone a couple of new razors. One of which was a razor given to me by @Screwtape.
I'm excited to say that this one honed up beautifully. I'm still new enough to honing to be very excited by that. I am very smooth after three passes
Route 66 Bay Lime Twist Soap
B-400 Brush by Tom
Thomas Mfg Co Razor
Thayers Witch Hazel
Ogallala Bay Rum Sage and Cedar
Have fun!

 

Doug, that's a beautiful set up and photo! Great job!

 

Keith, that's a cool photo and a great set up! Seeing your SOTD photos over many months, I've noticed that you have a fantastic collection of colognes. The Terre d’Hermès is a favorite of mine. What are some of your favorites?

 

Woo Hoo! I'm the newest member of the Jayaruh Owners Club. Jim is placing a harvested Omega 10098 boar knot in the number 4 Louisville Slugger brush handle shown in the photo for me. The handle will have a natural finish. This will be a great addition to my Den!

 

Been SUPER busy the last couple of days, so here are the last couple:



-Henckels 13/16" RP
-Rudy Vey Shavemac



-Brian Brown 6/8" Spike
-Jayaruh 400

Guys, I haven't had a chance to mail out any of the brush SPIFF stuff yet. I will get to the post office tomorrow, unless things go completely to Hell, but I am only planning to work the morning.

Night all.