January 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thanks, Chris.

 

Thanks, John. I thought that, but wasn’t sure, so I asked.

 

Occasionally you'll see someone describe a "Zen Shave". When everything comes together, flows flawlessly, and the results are remarkable. The hallmark of the experience is you don't know what you did because you weren't trying for and might not have a conscience memory, yet you got a great shave. Congrats on approaching Shave Nirvana.

Good choice! That's a great boar. Now that you have one it's like buying a car. You'll spot them around quite often.

Very nice! I enjoy using mine, too. One day I'll remember to bring it and visit a nail polish display to find some touch-up paint for the knob. Until then a little chipped paint doesn't stop me from enjoying how effective they shave.

 

You're properly focused on shaving and not outcome. See what happens? You can make this result automatic by staying focused on the interaction between blade and skin. Some new guys seem to not realize that it's not lack of PSO, prep, soap or anything else causing issues. It's the piece of steel that they're unfamiliar with that's causing 99% of the issues. Nice work.

 

January 2018

Shavettes and Jeeves January!

January 29
Razor - 1947 Gillette Super Speed
Blades - (1)
Soap - Jeeves of Hudson Street Bay Rum
Brush - Jayaruh #46
Post -Alum

After a fairly bloody week around here, especially for me, I decided to go out in January with a couple of easy, nice, fun shaves. I'm staying with Jeeves to the end but went to the '47 Super Speed with a Voskhod. American brass, Russian steel. No better combination. I used the JR46 with Maggard knot for a great luxurious lather and took my time on two passes and touch ups for a nice DFS. After the blood and irritation from last night this was almost a decadent December moment.

I'm going to do one more day with this setup and then I'm starting February a day early. For those who haven't seen it in passing, February is all about favorite gear. Choose a favorite razor, brush, soap, or multiples and use them. Or, if you are trying to find a favorite, try some stuff out and find a new favorite. Or, of course, just focus on what you want or do the rule you need. You know how we stand on formality around here. We DON'T.

For now, two more days in the month and we have had another great one. Poll results still show that we are bunch of "up to no good" types and I'm fine with that. And hopefully some of you who intended to work through some soap stock got that done as well. As for me and soaps? I'm loaded even heavier than when the month began. Way heavier. Have a great Tuesday!

​

 

Thank you very much. I just seemed to be in the zone today . My mind was clear and I hardly remember the shave to be honest. Started the break in of my boar tonight, don't find it smelled as much as my 10005 Omega but it did shed about 5 hairs during the lather . Par for the course I guess

 

The Force is strong with this one.

 

I am very good at inside work.

There is a reason the OCMM instructions say to run the head flat. There is a copy of them in the shave school at TOST. I am sure there a few videos on the subject there as well.

Andrew sorry to hear about the FIL. Good vibes are always going out!

 

Wooooooooooo!

 

I've been focusing on setting the cap down and getting the feel for the blade making contact with the skin . It's starting to feel way more natural to me now .

 

That touch you're is developing is exactly what the SR guys do before each stroke. Finding the right edge angle is THE most essential skill for comfy shaves. You will progress quickly now to any razor you think looks cool. You have the key.

 

If I keep watching Fuzzys videos, I'm soon going to own a se razor before I know it lol. He makes it look so easy and those razors are attracting my attention .

 

SE and Injector razors are really nice shaves.

 

I'm using the shaverboy blades, which are dirt cheap but right now I wouldn't know the difference between a good blade and a bad one , I'm just concentrating on cap and blade angle. Wax on wax off grasshopper .

 

I still don't have my head around the injector razors. I've been using se blades for years in the shop but never dreamed of shaving with them lol

 

Monday January 29 - a carefully preplanned Menthol Monday and Jeeves January with Chubby 2 focus



Gillette Aristocrat / Voskhod ( 2 )
Kent BK12 aka The Soap Aircraft Carrier
Simpsons Lavender Vetivert cream and MBomb
Alum and TSD Milk Aftershave Lavender

As we always say around here (snicker), the key to a great shave is careful preplanning. I went into the bathroom intending to use my Rockwell 6s with a Voskhod, my Simpsons CH2 Synthetic brush, Jeeves Key Lime shave stick and either Jeeves Bay Rum or Soapy Bathman Cup of Joe menthol balm for a Menthol Monday finish. I ended up using the above rig instead -- the only thing left of The Plan was the Voskhod blade.

The trouble started when I saw my Kent BK12 badger brush and suddenly decided to treat myself to it. While setting up my photo, I then decided that such a lordly brush deserved a nobler looking razor than the rather plebeian matte-finished dull stainless Rockwell 6s, so the flashy Aristocrat took over. I also thought the Soap Aircraft Carrier would be easier to load from a tub of cream than by face lathering a shave stick, so I went to the Simpsons creams. I was going to use their Cafe Latte but opted for a lavender scent instead. Which meant my mentholated Bay Rum or Coffee splashes wouldn't match, so I went with the TSD lavender aftershave milk. And to have a Menthol Monday still, I needed to do something else, so I added a drop of M Bomb directly to the brush before my third lather pass for a chilly finish to the shave itself.

It was a great shave. Slick lather applied by a brush like a pillow. Three passes in the standard pattern rather than my normal non-standard direction one or two passes. Zero irritation. And All According To Plan.

Hope everyone is off to a great start to their week!

 

All it takes is a PM to get started.

Yesssss they are!!

 

With the planning and precision you put into that one it's no wonder it was a good one. Clearly you are a master of the perfectly laid out, thought out, and executed shave. With a few minor changes to prove your talent.

 

Options....

Staying up?





Chilling out?

 

Enigma