April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

April 15, 2017
Colonial Razors “The General”
Feather Pro (8)
WDC-8 with Druida Manchurian
Reef Point Test Depth
Witch Hazel with Menthol
Cool Water EDT

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Many Saturday mornings are slow around the homestead making it easy for me to slow down and enjoy a leisurely shave. A soap with an enjoyable scent adds to the experience. Reef Point Test Depth is just such a soap. The clean crisp scent is very pleasing without being overpowering. I have found the General/Feather Pro pairing to be exceptionally smooth while still remaining efficient. Three passes and minimal clean up consistently ends in a near perfect shave. I will try the General paired with a Feather Super next month. I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday.

 

Just excellent, Clint!

 

You guys are too funny. I couldn't stop laughing long enough to post.

Sucks when you can relate to something such as this!!

 

Thank you Jared. And I have got a unicorn.

 

So explain this to me. To make the first soap enjoyable you mix in some enjoyable soap?

So is Reef Point the first or second soap?

 

Yesterday.....



-Torrey 5/8"
-Stirling 26mm Finest
-Stirling Iced Pineapple
-Osage Rub

Hope everyone has a good Saturday.

 

Good catch. So slow and lazy this morning I am running behind on coffee.

 

Excellent picture, Clint! Is that a table? I have definitely enjoyed this week's set up in photos.

 

No prob bro. That's what we are here for. I am glad I can point out you caffeine deficiencies and you can therefore correct for them.

At the same time you got to enjoy two soaps today. Not many can say this.

 

Thank you Jim. Yes it is a table in the living room. I enjoyed taking the photos this week. I have found that certain shaving items are just easier to photograph than others. The highly polished metal handle brushes are the hardest for me. I am constantly trying to make sure I am not caught in the reflection. That would certainly ruin the photo.

 

Great looking SR Jared. You have quickly accumulated a nice rotation of straights.

 

Thank you, Sir. This one is actually the first one I had; a gift from Chris. [HAT TIP AND THANKS, @Bama Samurai ] It is my oldest razor, and in just beautiful shape for being 120+ years old. It is also a great little shaver and has given me a few of the best straight shaves I have had to date.

I still haven't figured out if I prefer a bigger heavier razor or a smaller lighter one. The bigger razors with a little less hollow of a grind seem to cut the most easily, but the little guys like this one are so sweet for cleaning up around the corners of my jaw. Same with the hollows around my adam's apple. At this point it is all technique, or lack of it, but so far I always seem to come away with the best shaves from these little guys. But I guess I will just have to try a ton of them and find out.

 

Day 20 of 30 days of Henckel straights

I had a tube of Pre De Provence Shea Butter Shaving Creme sitting on my shelf. I have used it before and had decided that it was unusable for me with a DE. So, it has sat on my shelf for a long time. After yesterday's successful experiment with Shave Secret, I decided to give the creme a try with the straight. I got a very nice shave. The creme does not form a lather, but merely sits on your face providing lubrication for the shave. Unlike Shave Secret, you can actually see this on your face, so you have some visual clues as to where you have shaved on the current pass. The only time I have felt a lack of lubrication with either of these is on the upward pass on my neck. I'm not sure why, but it doesn't seem to want to let the razor slide in this area. Adding more creme does improve the situation, but it is still less than optimal.

I did 2+ passes and got an extremely good shave.

Pre De Provence Shea Butter Shaving Creme
24mm High silvertip set an extra 10mm deep
2 passes, WTG, XTG
Sampsons All Natural Aftershave Balm
Round Toe 6/8 Henckel 17 1/2

 

Parker SRX
Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Semogue BC Texugo
TOBS Rose SC
Alum
Superior 70

I was still a little gun-shy after my last try and almost grabbed the tech this morning. I am glad that I did not. Try 2 with the shavette was far better than my first outing. I did 2 passes North to South and escaped with no bloodletting and just a smidge of irritation on the neck. It took more time than my usual 3 minute tech shave so some of the lather started drying out. Not the closest shave at all, but it is presentable. I felt more comfortable using my left hand as well. Overall, I consider this a success.

 

My Louisville Slugger brush, JR # 160, is in progress, just waiting for the Omega 98 knot! I currently don't have a boar in the rotation, so this will be a welcome addition to my den. This behmoth should be a real soap destroyer.

The novelty of having a shaving brush with a hometown theme (I'm from Louisville) made by our very own talented brush craftsman @Jayaruh was too much to pass up!

 

Bring me all of your bacon and eggs.

I have gotten multiple Ron Swanson comparisons some I grew out the mustache over my upper lip. There are worse people to compared to.

 

Beautiful picture Clint.

 

great to watch! Man, he really drove em back up the middle, didn't he????

 

Kid is three, and already so focused he never pulls his head. Love to see him some years down the road.

 

Thank you Doug.