April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thank you. Already added it to the rotation. I'm not forgetting this one again.

 

Koraat 8/8 again today. I named this one Bruin. Finished the last of my samples I started going through in February. Of course I got new samples in on Saturday. The sample I find shed was a Mama Bear Lily of the Valley. Kind of appropriate, as the actual flowers just bloomed this weekend in the yard. I had enough left for two shaves if I skimped, or one if I went all in. So I made enough lather for fourteen passes and a bunny, and went to it. This razor is amazing. Heavy and solid, no pressure is needed. The bellied hollow makes it more rigid than a large hollow ground. Three passes and a solid DFS. Alum grumbled a little, but was good. Myrsol F/s is awesome.

 

That is an impressive chopper.

I guess now any extra lather will be for "THE BUNNY" for awhile. Lol

 

1. this type of brush; Looks good!
2. changes, if any; Nope, it's great!
3. finish options; Light stain & Off while socket?
4. 26mm for 24mm knot; Good size!
5. lettering; 1/8' tall die stamps? Which Font? Kidding, which ever you have incoming will be great!

 

Concur.

 

Gorgeous handle. I like the size and shape. I agree that the natural finish is beautiful and would like to see that as an option. But, I'll be honored to have one no matter what the finish

 

I agree with your Shavette observation. When I tried to do a blade focus, I discovered very quickly that degree of difference between blades was extremely miniscule, to the point where trying to choose a favorite became meaningless. I haven't tried a single blade out of my many varieties that I couldn't get a good result with, and that was magnified by the shavettes. In that context they became far more equal than in the DE razors, largely because I could control angle of attack much more easily. I didn't have to search for the sweet spot. My first DE razor was a no-name blade from Sally with a huge blade gap. I almost quit over that razor. Buying a razor with less blade gap made it less likely for me to cut myself and kept me in the game. But I recently (this week) re-approached that old razor and got a very easy high quality shave with it, so much so that it is solidly back in rotation. I can now get a very consistently high quality result across a selection of 15 or so DE, SE and shavette razors of varying quality with various blades, which indicates to me that technique is of ultimate importance. I might enjoy one more than the other, and thus prefer that experience, but the end result is consistent.

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That is just amazing. Myself, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

Good vid. For not using them often, you sure whipped that one out pretty well.

 

Thanks. It was fun. I will be doing more and also some straights when Glen gets done with the 2 I sent him.

 

Arko Adjustable April!!!!!

April 17

Razor - 1959 (E4) Gillette Fatboy (3)
Blade - (1)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Jayaruh #46
Post - Alum

After yesterday's rather long and quite fun discussion about blades and how much difference they really make and, after probably surprising a few people by my basic conclusion that blades aren't the major determining factor in a shave, I decided to throw a little pseudo-science at the question again. I wanted to move back to my Fatboy for Arko Adjustable April, and decided to choose a blade that I have tried before and determined to be second tier. The Merkur Super Platinum from Germany fits the bill nicely. While this blade is certainly not among the worst blades, I have always considered it to be in that second tier of blades that are usable but not preferable. To me it's a bit rough, draggy and not all that sharp. That's my last impression of it at least but it has been a year or more since I used it.

Now, I will also state that I know a lot of people who like this blade, based on shave reviews and SOTD's around. But the general consensus would be more to the negative, again based on anecdotal evidence. For whatever that's worth. Did I mention this is a Pseudo-science approach yet? I did? Good.

So, with the JR46 and Arko I removed any possibility that the lather would be either too thin or not slick enough and went to work. Two passes and I found the blade to be smooth at the mild 3 setting. No issues with dragging and overall a nice feel. The finish is DFS, though not as high a DFS as I tend to prefer. Still, it's a good shave. And the fault of the result could be the mildness of the setting as much or more than the blade. That's why I'm giving it three shaves. Up to 6 tomorrow, then 9 on Wednesday. Standard blade trial but I'm being careful to judge only what I feel from the blade each time and the result.

Early results from tonight would suggest that my impression of the blade as being among the "not the sharpest" is probably correct but my impression of it being rough was not confirmed. We'll see how it works out the next two nights.

Tax day today! I trust everyone is all done with that. If not.....there's still time! But not much!

​

 

I shaved with the Aust just now, but will edit and tomorrow do an Awesome April special edition where I truly contrast it against a heavy Parker shavette. My day ended up running 15 hours, so I am just going to read and comment for a bit,

However, now, a little preview.

There was Arko.
There was Veg.

There was fine German steel. It was full hollow and it was sharp.

Those things together make me very happy.

@Keithmax - it's still the shave I remember.

 

I would agree with the developing group consensus here:

1. Really nice size and shape of handle - no changes needed.
2. The natural finish really lets a nice woodgrain pop. Any other stain is best just on the top bulb.
3. A 26mm hole for a 24mm knot should work for just about anything, given how common a size 24mm is for knots.

I would add:
4. For lettering, maybe two lines up top? With "TSD" on the top line and then the variant for the 30 Day Crew below? Either "30DC" or "DAY 30 CREW" works for me -- or anything similar you come up with too. I like the idea of the brush number on the bottom flat.

Finally, a small note of envy. I have always wished I had some talent at craftwork, especially woodworking. I can pretend to be a small projects home repair handyman but that's about as far as my own capabilities stretch.

 

Since you put my avatar overlooking your pseudoscience....kiddding....

On Blades:

Blade selection matters less as one gains experience. They are not intrinsically equal to each other or the all the same, but almost all of them are serviceable in well-practiced hands. One should use a blade that inspires confidence. There is no predicting which blade that will be for any given individual.

On Good Blades:

Any blade that will glide easily while cutting the beard is a good blade. Good is relative though, others will have different personal criteria.

On Bad Blades:

Blades in which the user lacks confidence are bad blades. Bad is relative though, others will have different personal criteria.

On my favorite blade, GSB:

I spent of my early months shaving with it, and it inspires confidence to this day. I know that many others like it, but I can't prove that it's any better or worse than anything else. If I want "an easy day", I can always try GSB.

 

So very cool! 30DC is our unofficial shorthand, but I'd be happy either way. Whatever you think would look cooler in a graphic design way is what I vote for!

I really appreciate your hard work and faithful effort to make this happen. It's gonna turn out great.

 

Can we get this on the base?

 

Laser etched 3D look would be cool.

 

Nice work!

 

That is amazing. I would be honored to own one. I am very happy with my current brushes, but would make an exception for this one.

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I agree. Need is not a reason for wanting this one.