May 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Frank, I just wanted to say that I have seldom read a more heartrending and moving tale on these threads. Your psychic pain as you forced yourself to take those extra swirls in the soap tub literally wafted off the page and grabbed me by the throat. Just remind yourself that this traumatic experience through which you are forcing yourself might not only make you a better Shaver as intended but may also have the effect of making you a better and stronger Man...

I hope to continue to be inspired throughout this month as I read your ongoing struggles of Man vs Frugality in Soap.

On a more serious note, some people do find sandalwood irritating. If you have a similar cream in some other scent, you may want to try it for a few days shaving in the same way and see if it makes a difference.

 

May 1 (Monday) - cleanup on the almond croap aisle

Rockwell 6S on plate #3 / Topaz Platinum (1)
Muhle black synthetic fibre brush
3P almond croap
Alum and Clubman VIBR

I decided to finish off the sample of the 3P soft almond soap before continuing on with testing other tubs. I cleaned out the little sample tub and stuck the remaining soap in the bottom of a small stainless steel bowl. Judging from the amount remaining after loading the brush tonight, I probably have enough left to run for the entire week and power the Little Lily on Saturday, MayHEM 6.

While I don't think the 3P is as good as the other 4 Italian soft almond soaps I tried, it is still very very good. More lather than I needed, plenty of protection, and I will have no hesitation using it with the shavette either.

Tonight's shave was the usual good one from the Rockwell when used with a good shave product. I was in a hurry, so only did one diagonal pass on my face and one ATG on my neck. The result was not the near BBS I get with my now-normal two pass shave, but was still a very good DFS. I used the VIBR again to give me that splash of tropical warmth and perk-up to start me off on my shift right.

 

You are correct on all counts. A favoritr of mine as well.

 

Interesting... around here, the dealer usually takes care of the DMV part.

I can sympathize, though. Last year, when I went to trade in the old Honda, I couldn't find the title. To get a duplicate title, though, I needed a letter of lien satisfaction from the bank- Santander (pronounced "SantanDER" like you are Raul Julia), originally Sovereign Bank. The local Santander bank branch referred me to another division which handles car loans. That division referred me to a third-party service who provides the letters... and who promptly told me there was no record of my loan. It took a week of chasing around Santander divisions before I finally got someone who'd admit that the old Sovereign records were handled differently (and not by the auto loan division), ultimately connecting me with a person at the Santander (pronounced "sanTANder") office that must have been the original Sovereign HQ. Thirty minutes later, the DMV had a copy of the letter.

I always say that, if we don't blow ourselves to bits, someday our grandchildren will do their banking at "The Bank". It will be called that because it will be the only one, having merged with any other remaining ones.

 

I can't remember when I've laughed so hard on a consistent basis as since I joined this thread. My wife thinks I'm nuts sitting on the couch looking at my phone and laughing. She's probably right, but not for the reasons she thinks.

Anyway, today I shaved with one of the samples I got from @RyX. Slim set on 4, Astra SP, first trial of a semogue boar I received from the "big lot 'o shave stuff" that I bought last week.

Great shave! Smooth and close. After the shave, the blind sample was revealed to be Proraso white. It provided good lather and good performance, as is its reputation. For me, though, there are so many good performing soaps out there I am saving my "keepers" for soaps/creams that have smells I "absolutely love". Very few have cleared this bar, and Prorasso was no exception. Having sniffed some of the other samples, however, there may be a keeper or two in this round of samples. Only the lather will tell...

Also, not having been a few huge fan of the omega pro boar brush, and feeling the coarseness of the dry semogue knot, I expected this brush to have no chance whatsoever to make the cut for my brush lineup. I was surprised and excited to be wrong on this one. Once wet down and loaded with soap, I really enjoyed the face feel of this brush. Is it anywhere close to the enjoyable luxury of my whipped dog high mountain? Not a chance. Having said that, it's still a keeper.

 

SOTD May 2, 2017

Blade: Feather Pro
Razor: RazoRock Black Hawk
Brush: Surrey badger
Lather: Strop Shoppe Baker Street
Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Baker Street aftershave
WTG, touch-up

Black Hawk again today. I will be focusing in on SE razors this month for the most part. The Hawk is easy to use, efficient, and enjoyable. Smooth shave with terrific software aiding the razor. The Baker Street line is a nice scent. Glad that Stirling revived the scent and is keeping it in circulation.

Have a great day!

 

3:15am shaves come early. Grabbed the Mongoose for a quick one.
I didn't realize this would be my first MAYhem shave. I opened up two weepers on my neck. I can't remember the last time I did that with a straight. I had to dig out the styptic pencil. So much for time saved
Route 66 Perfect Storm
B-400 Brush by Tom
Mongoose Razor
Feather Super Pro Blade
Lucky Tiger
Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barber
Have a great day!
Sitting at the airport once again

 

May 2 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
MWF
Gem 1912
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill
Fendrihan Shave Towel

I got home yesterday evening to a pleasant surprise. A package was waiting for me that included this wonderful shave towel, courtesy of @Douglas Carey. I put it to good use this morning to compliment a great SE shave. I am super smooth and feeling good. The MWF has left my face nice and soft, and the Glacial Lemon Chill AS added a little menthol kick. I hope everyone has a great day! Thanks again, Doug!

 

Gillette Tech Bulldog Handle
KAI Stainless
Semogue BC Mistura
TOBS Rose SC
Alum

Woke up late and groggy from allergies. Didn't have the time or focus for the shavette today. 1 pass and done today.

 

May 2, 2017
Colonial Razor “The General”
Feather Super Pro (2)
Shavemac ATG LE D01 2 Band
Mystic Water Raspberry & Lemon
Folsom & Co. Capri


​

The second shave on the Super Pro was much smoother. Two passes with skin stretching as I went and minimal touch ups ended in my normal near BBS. I was moving too fast and put the razor against my face too hard resulting a small nick. The Super Pro will bite if you are careless. Overall a very good shave despite the nick. A splash of F&C Capri and I am ready for the day, I thik. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

Wonderful pic Jim.

 

May 2

Gillette New SC
Astra SP (1)
JR # 160 Louisville Slugger brush handle with Omega 10098 boar knot
Castle Forbes Lavender
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel
Unrefined shea butter

This was my first shave with my NOS Gillette New SC. It was easy to find the correct angle, and it seems to be slightly more aggressive that my LC. Overall, it provided a fantastic two-pass shave. I skipped all the scents today (and plan to shower before I leave home) because it's my day to be with some pretty cool kids at the local children's hospital.

I'm honored to be with you all again this month, and I look forward to riding along. It's so much fun to see all the new folks that have discovered 30 Day Land over the past few months. As a senior citizen, my MAYhem shaves will be more boring than most here. I'll do my best to create MAYhem, havoc, shenanigans, and Tom Foolery from the sidelines.

Have a fantastic Tuesday!

 

Thank you, Clint!

 

Beautiful picture, Clint! The scent of that soap sounds great.

 

2 May 2017 MAYhem GEM/Soap Focus Shave

Saw this cartoon this morning in the NY Post. And in honor of my son's impending deployment to 'The Land of the Morning Calm' I decided it fit in with the mayhem theme.
This morning I went with the Cella, Crema Da Barba. JR#161 whipped up a great lather in no time. This brush works fantastic in small mouth shaving soap jars. The GEM Featherweight continues to impress. 2.5 passes, no weepers or problems. Though the head looks like it's the size of a shovel, the cutting area is the same size as my other vintage tools. Splashed on some Cella A/S and my face was feelin' great.
Have a fantastic day my fellow Denizens!

 

You're gonna really love that Short Comb Charlie. Try a GSB in it. For me, it's a weekday stubble assassin. Enjoy your day with the kids.

 

Safe travels, Brian!

 

Thank you! I've been traveling a lot and look forward to being home for a while after this trip. Doors closing for Chicago via Dallas.
Have a great day!

 

Sorry to hear about the chip and rough shave Keith, she is a beautiful razor!

 

I have a funeral to attend today, so no shenanigans for me. I went safe, and walked away with my BEST SHAVE EVER.



'56 Super Speed
Feather blade
Maggard Plissoft brush
Lisa's Natural Herbal Creations Tobacco and Bay soap
Thayer's Rose Witch Hazel
Salvatore Ferragamo Aqua Essenziale Blu aftershave

This razor/blade combo is my hands-down favorite. If I could only choose one, this would be it. It flat out works for me.

Lisa's soap is rich and creamy, and this one is fairly lightly scented. The tobacco here is floral, and it's a light, clean scent. Post shave feel with this stuff is phenomenal.

The overall process of the technique just worked. A light touch, two passes, a little cleanup and my best final result ever from the neck to the top of my head.

The soap was so good, I went online and ordered a tin of her new Cedar & Saffron just to say thanks (and make sure I don't run out of her soaps anytime soon).


Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk