May 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

MAYhem Continues!!!

May 16

Razor - W.B. Speed - The Rabbit
Soap - Soap Commander
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Alum

So, after taking a couple of days off from shaving to add to the whole MAYhemic feel to this month, I'm back and have a traditional straight razor in my hand. It's the Rabbit, the first real straight I owned, and it has been ages since I've used it. Why don't I use TSR's more? I hear a few of you screaming - BECAUSE HE HATES TO STROP!!!!! Yep, you got it. However, with three days growth and the need for a razor that will mow it down easily, I put up with the strop. And, I will admit, it went well. I didn't feel like I was hurting anything, just relaxed and went with the flow. A little Zen perhaps?

I chose Soap Commander for the lather and used the Wolf. It's been several weeks since I've used anything besides a synthetic. I'm ready to feel some luxurious badger on my face.

Before proceeding to the shave let me say something that I'm sure @Bama Samurai won't be surprised at, other than it coming out of my mouth. I missed my synthetics. Yes, I enjoyed the feel of the badger but the quality of the lather suffered. I thought I had it wet enough, but it wasn't quite as slick as when I use a synth. And, while there was plenty, there wan't the overabundance I've grown used to. Ok, ok, I'll say it. I understand where synthetics can outperform the natural brushes. Does my tradition bound and vintage loving shaving mind enjoy saying that? No, not really. But man, I missed the JR46 and WSC tonight.

Moving on. I got the grip on the Rabbit and started on the first stroke and it took a couple of strokes for me to realize how loose and relaxed I was. That was a nice surprise. No tension in the grip, no pressure on the blade, just smooth strokes to finish the right side. The left side was a bit of a trick to start, but that's because my left hand should be chopped off and shredded, the useless idiot. Still, I managed a pass without tension or pressure and had a good result. I went for the second pass, some XTG and other cleanup and even a bit of ATG on the neck. Ended with a nice DFS, no blood, and overall a very self-satisfied look on my face. Apparently, absence makes the shave grow better when it comes to me and TSR's. I may have to spend some more time with them again since it seems my mental block has a huge crack in it.

Alum was a bit on the warm side but that's not a problem. As for tomorrow night? It's MAYhem - how the heck should I know?

 

Hone it up and send it over!

 

Today starts a 30 day focus for me!



Razor: Murkur 38C HD long handle
Blade: Shark
Brush: The Purest Satin Tip Synthetic
Soap: The Blades Grim Smolder
AS. : The Blades Grim Smolder
Extra: Gentlemen Jon Alum Block

So alright then here goes


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Welcome @Fup! After what Neal @NCoxSTL or was it Chris @Bama Samurai said about our ranks swelling I almost feel chastised. We've had some great success with new guys joining the 30DC. You only have to become the best shaver you can be to keep up. No pressure, right?
If you jumped in here, real time, this is now. Do go to the first page an read up on the idea of a Rule. If you already did that then watch this video.


Ok, since you made it back to Now, pay attention to what this guy says. Not the stuff he says to others, but what he says directly to you.

That's the part you are going to be Rule-ing. There's a couple of Cartridge habits to unlearn. The rest is moving forward. The Technique spoken of is applicable to DE, SE, & even straight razors. Since you are working with a DE, there's some good reading in a link in my signature - Riding The Cap. Pick up that easy to learn Technique to help reduce razor burn.
And toss that year old Nivea balm. An opened container setting in the dark just might be growing mushroom. Not the fun ones, either.

 

No need to feel chastised - or is that a guilty conscience...hmmmmmmm?????? If so, you can make it all better by finding and sending me a Gillette Toggle. You're welcome.

 

I was just killing time until you could get back here! We always have room and time to make another expert happen.

 

Whoohoo! Another victim member for the 30DC!
Cool that you jumped in @LevelupShaves. Since you announced you are working a Focus that means you have some products that will vary. (Different from @Fup 's Rule where he's going to work his kit as it is.)
The idea of a Rule is to reduce variables in hardware (persistent gear) or software (consumable products) and figure out how to use the gear to your best advantage.
Since you announced a Focus, have you chosen something to focus on? Sometimes that means comparing items in one category. Maybe you have a blade sampler, or a couple different soaps to fine tune your lather making. A Focus is less strict basic technique learning, more experimental fiddling.
Take your time, consider your answer. Do you know how many CT's have happened in this group?

 

My apologies I announced this as the wrong thing it's not a focus but a rule I'm going to be working on my technique using this set up for the month. The Murkur and Sharks will stay the whole time after a couple of weeks I may start changing out soaps and AS because I love variety but the hardware is locked down. I want to get better especially around my neck area I've gotten a lot more consistent lately but I figured why not use one thing and just get good with it.


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Somewhere in the Multiverse is a five gallon bucket of Toggles. When I stumble over it... You're on my list Neal!

 

By the way @RyX where's that link to the ride the cap thread I don't see it


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Welcome to the rule...

 

It's in his signature line. If you're using your phone you have to turn it sideways to see the signature.

 

It's all good. If you finish out the month using all the same equipment, that's doing a Rule. Starting in two weeks if you cycle in other soaps & aftershaves you'll be starting June off on a Focus.
No one is enforcing these ideas to be heavy handed. It's about reducing variables to really pay attention to your Technique. If you use the same gear and your shaves improve your skill at shaving has improved.

 

...is right here.

 

Welcome! All fun joking aside this where I learned to shave with straights..... now if I could only improve my honing.

 

Wednesday shave:

After 1 1/2 years of nothing but touch ups and wonderful edges I put a small chip in the edge of my PRC western grind kami. This is the third attempt to hone it after the chip.

I really thought I had it this time, it look good under the loupe, it was cutting arm hair... so I was disappointed in how rough it felt and it did not seem like it was cutting. So I grabbed my ATT H1 which had an Iridium Super loaded (1 shave already on it) and what the heck???? It also felt rough and not so sharp. The lather was awesome some I had no idea what evil spirits inhabited my bathroom this morning. So I picked the PRC back up and finished the shave.

I expected irritation and to feel allot stable. Amazingly there was just a tickle from the alum and my face was smooth. I am going to send this razor out to a pro and get it back to it's former glory

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness B- Sharpness B

 

to TSD. Have fun and play nice.

 

Ask @Keithmax. That's what he does with his upper lip.


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Looks like a great start. Good luck.

 

Apparently this is what it would look like if someone on this thread won the lottery and was able to market their MAYhem idea to the public. (I'm thinking the finger shaver 2.0 might make a fantastic infomercial with the "Sham Wow" guy.) What in the world is that thing?