May 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

It's easy. I just don't ask. I consult her on the colognes, aftershaves, etc. The soaps are mine, as the scents don't really linger all that much.

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Thanks, I'm gonna make it my focus this month. It seems like figuring out what it should feel like will be a big turning point.

 

+1 And I have a stash of aftershaves that I like that I only wear to work.

 

It will allow you to take a pretty steep angle. Most people say 30 degrees. I start with it nearly flat, and then bring it out until I can feel and hear it cutting the hairs.

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There were several times that I didn't really feel the blade, but I could hear it cutting. I figure the sweet spot has to be close to that.

 

That right there is funny.

 

PROGRAMMING NOTE

Things are a bit touch and go at the moment here at Cartel headquarters. The HQ sits about 2 blocks from the Missouri River in St. Charles (Frenchtown) and while we are still mostly high and dry things are on a "wait and see" basis. Nothing to panic or freak out about but our attention is largely on where the river is on the levee and how the water in our street (which is a main drainage street) is acting. They closed the storm drains today because the water is high enough that it would be running backwards from the river at this point. So, our yard is subject to flooding especially since it has been raining non-stop for the past 14+ hours. Not heavy rain but it has nowhere to go. Ground is saturated, storm drains closed, yada - yada - yada.

So, I'm not paying much attention to anything besides weather and regular trips to the basement to make sure sump pumps are working, no water is rising etc. Will be doing this at intervals throughout the night just to make sure we don't get caught unaware. The worst this house has ever flooded was in 1993 when the basement completely filled with water. Hoping to avoid that this time and we're hopeful as the crest on the river tomorrow is predicted to be about 4 feet less than 1993. Crossing our fingers. On the other end of the news - 2-3 more inches of rain is possible tomorrow before it may finally move out late tomorrow night or early Friday.

So, pardon my absence and, assuming the water stays outside where it belongs, I'll be working on catching up here tomorrow. Three days, 21 pages. And Missouri is filling up with water. Don't tell me this isn't MAYhem at its finest!!!!!

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Take care up there Neal.

 

There you go keep fighting it. You will get it all sorted out soon. Or bleed out.... Which is a finish too in a way.

 

Praying for you Neal

 

Praying you guys stay high and dry!

 

I ended up skipping my shave last night because I was just too tired. Sleep won. So tonight I had plenty of stubble to mow down. I visited the antique store where I recently found my '56 Super Speed and my Black Beauty at lunch today. They'd had an old dented up GEM Micromatic and one of the short black handle Super Speeds and I wanted to take another look at them to see if either was worth trying to bring back to life. Lo and behold, right were I'd found the '56 last time lay an entirely different GEM Micromatic. It's got a little plate loss on the head, but everything is straight on it and it's heavy as mess. I love my GEM 1912's and my Damaskeene, so I had to bring it home and give it a try. MAYhem, right? I think this shop vendor is playing a game with me. Every time I buy a razor, another one shows up in its place. I need to try and track them down and see what all they have laying around.

So today's shave consisted of:

GEM Micromatic (Chick Blade)(Face shave)
Mystic Waters Sandalwood Rose (a sample of which I received from the very generous @Redrock )
Thayers Rose Witch Hazel
Stirling Sandalwood Balm
'56 Super Speed with Feather blade, 3rd shave (Head shave)

The GEM Micromatic has a MUCH more aggressive feel than my other GEM razors, which are all quite mild. It's also a very heavy razor. I had to be very conscious of angle and pressure. It's sweet spot is pretty narrow. You can really feel the blade on this one, but if you tame it and control it, the reward is a very close shave. The results were quite impressive. I did get one small weeper but it was a small price to pay for the end result.

This was my first attempt at a Mystic Waters soap. I'd been hunting a "woodsy rose" scented soap. Functionally this is very good soap. Lather was pretty easy. I started off with a bit too much water, but after loading a little extra and face lathering for a couple of minutes I was rewarded with a nice, slick lather that did the job well and left my face feeling hydrated. The scent was strong and present, and it's a nicely done rose. I wish the sandalwood was more of a dry, woody sandalwood like the Stirling scent. The rose witch hazel complemented it nicely, and the Stirling Sandalwood balm was the needed touch at the end scent-wise. If I could mix those two scents, I'd have a serious winner. I'm considering buying both soaps and mashing them together. Mystic Water soap is on my radar now.

I have a tin of Lisa's Natural Herbal Creations Cedar and Saffron soap arriving this weekend. I also have my first straight razor headed my way fresh off of the hone of @HolyRollah. He did a fantastic job of cleaning it up.

Here's my before picture as I found it:


Here's Kevin's pic of it honed and cleaned up:


And his SOTD with it:


I've got my @Drygulch strop ready to roll, and it'll be here in time to be involved in the thick of MAYhem.

 

You used a injector blade with the MMOC?

They were made to be run flat against the face. I think most find that works. Then again that is with a SE blade not molesting it with the chick blade.

 

My thoughts are with you and your bride.

 

Ha. It was a Personna GEM blade. Good catch. 2am posting woes!

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I lived in an apartment that was 'haunted', the ghost, spirit or whatever it was always was kind to me. Several different women who were guests of mine all complained of being haunted while spending time at my place. I guess she was a jealous spirit. Several interesting stories but not for while I'm typing on my iPad. Oddly they all explained similar experiences.

 

Ahh you are back on my ok to talk to list. Love the mmoc. The razor that got me into SE. Here are the difections if you have not read before.

http://theoriginalsafety2.com/thread/2227/micromatic-open-instruction-sheet-1930s

 

Say hi to Logan for me. He is growing fast, keep the pics coming.

 

When I was a youngen the old lady that had died in the house before my parents bought it use to come in at night and sit on the edge of my bed. Happemed often. No worries with spirits here.

 

That's a beautiful Boker, Chris. I don't recall ever seeing scales like that. You know who to call if you decide it's not for you.