30DC LE Brush update Maybe not a bad time to give folks an update on the Brush project as the first round, and some of the 2nd round, have made it to their destinations. 9 brushes have been shipped, and 5 have been delivered. Brushes 10 and 11 are sitting at home with knots in them curing and #10 will be shipped on Monday. #11 will not be, as I discovered a tiny hairline crack around a knot. I will be keeping it for my brush as I don't think the crack will matter, but just in case, I'll use it myself. The 'sample' that I have been using that I was going to keep will be sent instead. So, out of the 23 brushes ordered, 12 have been made and 9 mailed. We set the parameters on this project on April 23 and I feel pretty good that I am just past halfway after 6 weeks. Have also had 2 brushes (both Cypress) that just didn't look close enough when completed. Have traded one, as John showed. Also made an extra one in exchange for all the Cypress. I apologize to those 11 of you that haven't had a message from me yet as your names were not selected early, but it shouldn't be too long.
Yes. When they don't want to load soap anymore it is a sign that it has soap buildup on them. A quick shampoo and a soak in diluted vinegar will peel that soap scum off, and have it loading like new.
Very nice photo! I like the layered overlapping products. Nice format. (I may copy the style to see if I can do as well. as yours )
I started doing WTG, ATG, & XTG a while back. It's become habit now and I prefer the finish I get. Knowing beards grow different for everybody for me that's N to S, S to N, and ear to nose, usually followed by nose to ear.
All in good time, my friend. The ones that have been posted look great! Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
I run N/S, S/N all over, and then ear to nose on my face. My neck is all jacked up so I have to swap angles at various points. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
Last couple of shaves: Arko Gem Junior Florida Water Felt like a Samurai. Then: Stirling Glacial Black Tuxedo Boker Straight Stirling SDM A/S @Drygulch Strop Another fantastic shave with the Boker, which has not drawn blood (knock on wood), and the Glacial soap was very refreshing on a stupid humid day. Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
June 2017!!! Trials and Tribulations June 3 Razor - 1959 (E4) Gillette Fatboy (9) Blade - (3) Soap - Arko Brush - Omega 10066 BoS Post - Alum Third and final shave with the Super Max Platinum Plus and it's on 9 with the Fattie. I suddenly remembered I have some boar brushes around so I chose the Omega 10066 to whip the Arko into shape. Ah, yes, I remember this brush. The slight scritch, full splay....nice. The shave was again very smooth. I can tell a slight difference with it set on 9. Just a hint more of the blade feel but no rough spots, dragging, or any other issues. No blood either as I watched my angle on the G-slide so I didn't mess that up again. The finish is near-BBS again. Another pass would have had the baby but might have risked a bit of irritation. As it stands, quiet alum and an all around great shave. That's three rounds to the Super Max Platinum Plus with straight "A"s. I'd call this a fine blade. Nice way to start off the Super-Max group. Next up will be the Super-Max Stainless Plus.
I find the speed of completion amazing, especially considering the quality of workmanship plus the fact that you are doing it all in your "spare" time. I honestly expected early July before anything much shipped out, and at this rate, you'll probably have 23 brushes knocked out of the park by then.
I am a few days behind: -Alumigoose w/Feather Super (2) -Envy Shave w/Envy White -Stirling Coconut Lime Soap -Stirling Island Man A.S. This was the night my hand was wracked up a bit, so I decided to go with a safety razor and use my off hand. The skill set I have developed from shaving offhand with a straight made this go quite smoothly. The v1. Alumigoose is really a great shaver. The Coconut Lime is a soap my wife uses more often than I do, but is sure a treat to use. The coconut is more forward than the lime, but there is just enough of it, you won't forget it. Followed by a little Island Man, and it was an awesome BBS shave. Joseph Rogers Near Wedge Omega 10049 Fankensoap Krampert's Frostbite A fun shave with an old razor, a classic boar and soap loaded out of a tub full of leftover bits and pieces. It is sort of interesting how well all these soaps play together. That tub has some very strong and different scents in it, and they all did just fine together. Very well could have been a BBS, as this razor is wicked sharp, but a couple of missed spots spoiled that. Otherwise a great shave tho. -Dovo Bismarck -Tulip 2 -Bombed Stirling Piacenza -Stirling Piacenza Splash Tonight was a stellar shave, one that had me touching my face for hours. I am going to spend the rest of the month sub-focusing on the corners of my jaw, right by my ear. I have had way too many near BBS because I have been sloppy cleaning up. Time to focus more attention to detail.
My normal order is WTG, ATG, and XTG. I get a better shave with less irritation that way. Do whatever works for you.
