April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

actually, let me correct that....it was a PIF from someone(you know who you are).

 

19 April 2017 Hump Daaaay!
Blade/Soap Focus Shave

Today since I'm breaking in JR#161, I pulled out Razorock XXX. I've found that using good smelling soaps or creams accelerates the process of getting rid of the Mr. Hog smell.
The VDH/Wilkinson duo turned in a decent 2.5 pass WWS. The XXX did it's slick, comfy best and the Cella A/S left my face feeling soft and moisturized.
I'm really looking forward to this Sunday and the start of blade auditions for the '52 SS Black Tip.
Hump Daaaay!!

 

Perry, have a fun and safe trip!

 

April 19
Gillette Old Type w Lord Platinum (2)
Jeeves of Hudson St. Apothecary
TGN Boar/Maple Handle
Thayers Unscented
Barrister's Reserve Cool

Day 14 of the Canadian Old Type focus, day 2 with a Lord. The Old Type shaves are really starting to feel routine, in a good way. Bowl-lathered a nice, slick lather with the Jeeves soap and had a pretty standard 3 pass plus touch-up DFS. Did have two weepers- one on corner of mouth and one on neck. One survived the Thayer's but gave up against the Cool. One more day with the Lord and then will swap it out for something else lurking in the far reaches of my blade box.
Have a great day all!

 

The brushes look great.

 

Three great shaves and photos.

 

Great photo Jim. The Gillette New is a fantastic razor.

 

Have a great trip Perry.

 

April 19, 2017
Wolfman WR1 OC
Feather (1)
“Amigos” Simpson CH2 Jade Synthetic
Route 66 Lumberjack
Fine L’Orange Noir

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Happy Wednesday. The CH2 synthetic is such a lather making machine the Lumberjack never stood a chance. My estimate is the soap will be done and dusted in the next 3-5 shaves. I received the soap as a gift and have enjoyed the Lumberjack scent so much that it made my "buy " list. I decided to try a 2 pass shave, XTG & ATG, this morning. With the large amount of touch ups required to get my normal near BBS, I would have been just as well to have went with 3 passes. The standard gap Wolfman is smoother than my increased gap Wolfman or Timeless OC but it is also less efficient. I finished the shave with a splash of Fine L'Orange Noir. I am so ready for a normal day.

 

Day 24 of 30 days of Henckel straights

I grabbed the 6/8 Henckel today. 2 passes and a little cleanup on the chin resulted in a zero-blood BBS. One thing I am really liking about using a straight is that it is entirely possible to cut a single hair which ensures that all of the hard to reach places get taken care of.

The ABC produced a very slick lather with a great Almond scent. It is not quite as slick as Shave secret, but it is very close.

DIY Pre-Shave Oil
ABC Face Lathered
2+ passes, WTG, XTG
24MM silvertip set an extra 10mm deep
Sampsons All Natural Aftershave Balm
Round Toe 6/8 Henckel 17 1/2

 

I am pretty new to straights. Today was day 54.

For me, slickness means everything with a straight and factors in much less with a DE or SE. I have tried a few of my "regular" soaps with a straight, but immediately switched to either slicker soaps or making the lather much thinner in order to increase the slickness.

 

Clint, the Wolfman is such a great looking razor. I read all the good comments on these Simpson synthetics. I've got an Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic STF V2.0, and I haven't been too impressed with it. Do you know if the Simpson brushes use a different kind of synthetic knot?

Beautiful photo. The books in background really set off the razor and brush combo.

I hope things have settled down for you now that the tax deadline has passed. I also hope and pray your PT is helping you feel better. Have a great Wednesday.

 

Good picture with an excellent brush Clint.

 

Great picture and setup Perry. Safe trip.

 

Keith is a "go-getter"!

 

Thank you Charlie. Things are settling down a little and the PT is working. I see a light at the end of the tunnel. More importantly I am pretty sure it is not an oncoming train.

I have owned and used the EJ STF V2 brush like yours. I am not sure if the knots use the same fiber but I can say that the design and execution of the knot is vastly different. The CH2 Synthetic is exceptionally dense with no real glue bump at all. The backbone is derived and dependent on the density of the knot. I get a feeling of a "wall of fiber" that is similar to the "wall of badger" feeling from a dense badger knot. I can say that I have tried no synthetic brush that feels like a Simpson CH2 synthetic. Maybe @PickledNorthern , @Boojum1 and @Douglas Carey can chime in with there thoughts.

 

Thank you Doug.

 

April 19, 2017

Razor: NDC Post-War Tech
Blade: GSB(3)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Cream: KMF fragrance-free
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

Another day with the US post-War Tech; same as yesterday except I swapped the ball handle for my spare Fat handle. I had an odd moment where I had trouble finding the right angle during part of the ATG pass, but that resolved itself with no issues. Another fine shave with a very quiet Alum.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the pre-War Tech though I can see why people like the post-War ones. The extra blade rigidity definitely gives it a different feel and it is definitely an efficient razor despite its mildness.

 

Beautiful combo and picture, Clint!

 

I agree whole heartily with Clint. I usually prefer Badger brushes. The CH2 synthetic is the best synthetic I own.