May 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Ghost busters???? (Aka "who you gonna call")

 

Thank you, Brian!

 

Thanks Keith!

 

I'll keep you and your wife in my prayers, Charlie.

 

May 4 (Thursday ) - old blade revisited

Rockwell 6s on plate #3 / PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground carbon ( 1)
B+B Omega Essential Boar
Red Green Duct Tape Special soap
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Astringent Aftershave

I am going to be using my new frankensoap for the next while, possibly trying it with different brushes. Today I used a nicely broken-in boar brush, which quickly whipped up an excellent lather.

In the spirit of MAYhem, I broke out my 70-year-old carbon steel blades again. Even when new and fresh, the PAL blade wrapper warned that the hollowground blade was unusually sharp and directed "Use lightly for the first 3 or 4 shaves".

A few months ago, I tried running one for as long as possible while honing it as needed with a vintage bladesaver hone. I got 41 shaves out of it before even the honed blade was too rough for my liking. As I recall, the first 4 shaves were very sharp and rough, then it smoothed out and delivered smooth sharp shaves until it started to fall off again around shave 10, and I honed it the first time after shave 13. I then honed after every 5 shaves until the end.

This time, I plan to see how long I can run the blade in the Rockwell 6s without any honing (but taking the blade out and drying it off after every shave as it is carbon steel.)

Today's shave was ... sharp but very rough. I could feel that the blade was one of the sharpest and most flexible I have ever used. It also felt like I was shaving with a microscopic saw. The watchwords for the day were "lightly" and "gingerly". Nevertheless the resulting single pass shave was a near DFS with no cuts, nicks, weepers or irritation. The alum was silent. Under the circumstances, I will take that result.

I expect the next shave to be equally unpleasant and to require equal care and attention. That will prepare me well mentally for Saturday's excursion with Little Lily. When I then return to the PAL-loaded DE, the shave should have smoothed out (or at least will seem smooth after Little Lily - assuming I survive her tender embrace). I should be able to get at least two weeks of shaves off this blade. We'll see.

 

Jim, I sure appreciate it. Have a great day!

 

From what you shared about your friends' tragedy and your wife's medical tests this week, I'm not surprised that you are wiped out, Chris. I think in your position I'd be too tired to sit and stare at the wall like a Zombie, much less shave with a straight razor. Continued prayers headed up for you, brother. Speaking of straight razors, that one is about the most beautiful and unique one I've ever seen. Congrats!

 

You're making me a bit jealous that I don't own this Franensoap now. Starting to wish it was available commercially. Apparently I've gone way deeper down the soap rabbit hole then I had originally intended!

 

New Shavy Category
Most Successful Shave with the Item Least Suitable for Shaving
Inspired by @wchnu with his half baked "blade glued to a twig" idea. I am rooting for his success here as well as his potential nomination pending the posting of the results. Good luck to Fuzzy, and other like-minded (i.e. insane) stunt shavers who i'm sure will emerge As MAYhem runs its natural course.

 

May 4, 2017
Colonial Razor “The General”
Feather Super Pro (4)
Shavemac ATG LE D01 2 Band
Mystic Water Raspberry & Lemon
Folsom & Co. Shambala

​

Another automatic smooth, comfortable, drama free shave this morning. Two passes and minimal touch ups ended in a near BBS. I finished the shave with a splash of F&C Shambala. I hope everyone has a great Thursday.

 

SOTD May 4, 2017

Blade: Feather Pro
Razor: RazoRock Black Hawk
Brush: Vulfix badger
Lather: Vulfix Lavender shave cream
Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Bergamot Lavender aftershave
WTG, touch-up

Nice shave this morning. Using the Hawk for four days straight might be a little much for my face. The shaves are nice and smooth but the razor is not near as mild as my injectors and I felt a little burned today. No redness but did get two small weepers on my jaw line. Oh well. I'll use it one more day and then switch over to another SE.

Have a great day!

 

It's a bummer starting MAYhem on the road. Not only do I have to sneak looks at my phone to keep up with you guys, I have to delay shaving with my MAYhem gear.
The upside is that this was a very nice shave.
Travel SOTD
Arko Shave Stick
AoS Pure Badger Brush
Tuckmar Razor
Mennen Skin Bracer After Shave
Have fun!

 

You mean this one?

 

Great picture, Clint. The B&W is a nice touch.

 

May 4 SOTD:

Omega Boar Brush
Maggards London Barber Shop
Gem Featherweight
Stirling Unscented PSB
Maggards London Barber Shop AS

 

Good Luck my brother!

 

Hi Logan, you handsome devil you!

 

SOTD: Vintage Otto Fromm #50 'Red Head' 6/8" full-hollow square-point; Crowne & Crane 'Citrus Melánge' tallow soap, Jayaruh custom 24mm synthetic, Pre de Provence Shea aftershave balm. Silky-smooth shave with a soothing shea butter finish. Have a blessed Thursday, men!

 

4 May 2017 GEM/Soap Focus
Shave
For today's shave I'm using my newest soap, Regiment Shaving's "High Speed". I went back to JR #161, my small container specialist. In no time it loaded and whipped up a very slick citrusy lather. The description says lemon, lime and some other good stuff. I definitely could smell the citrus, but my nose is not sophisticated enough to get anything else. The GEM continues to deliver. 2.5 passes, an excellent WWS. After a hot/cold rinse, cold towel and some Dominello Vitali Calming Post Shave Moisturizer. I splashed on some Proraso Green After Shave. This was the closet thing in my den that fit the scent of the soap.
Another great shave, which I'm sure will be followed by a great day!
Adios amigos!