March 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Today was a no picture day. I as in a rush to get on the road. It was the 8th day in a row with my Feather AC SS. This thing is occasionally leaving a slight weeper on my neck. I’ve been shaving with straights for so long I almost forgot what a weeper was. I need to figure out what I’m doing wrong.

 

There is no such thing as way too late. Although the older I get the earlier way too late gets.

 

Morality is temporary, wisdom is permanent.

-HST

 

Change the blade?

 

Tonight, I shaved with an old friend. Nope, it's not as creepy as it sounds.

Tonight I pulled out a soap that I haven't used in a bit: Lisa's Natural Tobacco and Bay. This is a green tobacco and Bay leaf scent. Medium strength and pleasant. Oddly enough, it was the medium strength scent that sent it to the back of the den back when I was trying out way too many soaps, but I found that I really enjoyed it today.

I also pulled out the ol' Zenith boar. I've been using synthetics 99% of the time because, frankly, I enjoy them more. I've had a love/hate thing going with boars for a while now. I feel like I have to work harder for less with them. Except for this one. The Zenith has a very short loft, especially compared to the handle. It almost looks like someone botched it. HOWEVER, it is the only boar that I have used that I feel nails it. It's got plenty of backbone, but not as much as it looks like it would. Enough scritch to feel like it's working but not so much that I don't enjoy it. And it just works a lather like a champ.

Between the Lisa's Natural, which seems to fly beneath the radar and which punches well above its price point, and the Zenith I got perhaps the best lather I have ever gotten. I pulled out my Old Type frankenrazor and went to town, and my face is super smooth, super soft and irritation free.

So good, in fact, that I broke out the English Leather and applied it liberally so that I may bask in its discontinued (supposedly?) glow.

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I’ll try a fresh one in the morning. I’ve been doing 4 days on a blade and both times it’s been on the second or third day. I’m stretching and watching angle and pressure, but think it might be a pressure issue. Thanks

 

I know I'm trying, hell I doing pretty good all things considered. It's just this OCD perfectionist personality that is getting in the way. My shave tonight was pretty great, a sane human being of stopped but my OCD kicked in and I had to try to chase every hair...even though I know not too.
You guys have been incredibly helpful, and I'm getting pretty great shaves. Tomorrow I told my self when your done your done no more endless touch up, their counterproductive and diminish an otherwise fine shave. From now on going to focus on the positives and my technique.


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Thank you for those positive thoughts, I just need to slow down and enjoy the shaves, and be someone who appreciates all the progress they have made.


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Indeed, it is fun and I'm enjoying it, and going forward I'm going to enjoy it even more. I feel like I'm on the precipice of a breakthrough.


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Mighty helpfull there!

Um your cutting yourself. That is what your doing wrong. Glad I could help out.

 

Friday March 9

Delta Echo Ink black Gillette Fatboy on 4 / Lord Super Stainless (2)
Semogue Owners Club cherrywood Tuxedo brush
The Dry Dock shave bowl
Cyril R. Salter Indian Sandalwood shaving cream
Alum and TSD Milk Aftershave Sandalwood

With a healthy dollop of cream smeared in The Dry Dock and a bit less water added than yesterday, the SOC synthetic brush whipped up an almost perfect lather. Which then formed the starting point for a great shave. Two passes to a very high-grade DFS.

I have always really enjoyed using TOBS shaving cream. It lathers easily and provides excellent performance. I think the Salter cream is on a par with it. Scents differ of course; I think I slightly prefer the TOBS Sandalwood or Mr. Taylor's to the scent of this sandalwood version. But as a shaving cream, you can't really go wrong with either one.

Blades on the other hand ... I binned this Lord offering after the second shave. The blade felt smoother than yesterday but still nothing to write home about. Tomorrow I will try the Lord Super Chrome and see if I like it any better.

 

That is great news Neal. I hope you are able to finalize the decision today.

 

I hear you. Both of the girls will be many states away. I know where I will be spending my vacation time.

 

Zenith really does make some very nice boar brushes.

 

March 9, 2018

Wolfman WR1-OC with WRH7
Gillette Silver Blue
Dorian Craft Works Barberpole Two Band
Mystic Water Pompelmo Y Fiori
Folsom Capri
ADP Blu Mediterraneo Ginepro Di Sardegna

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There is that gorgeous Delta Echo Fatboy again. Wonderful photo John.

 

Thanks, Clint. I still can't believe what a difference Delta Echo made to these ratty old razors, not just in appearance but in smoothness of function.

 

Beautiful crisp photo, Mark. I love that barberpole brush.

 

Micromatic Day 107

Gem Clog Pruf
Gem Stainless
Omega 10029
TOBS Avocado

Quick shave. One pass was more than enough.

Enjoy your day.

 

SOTD March 9, 2018

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel, Fine American Blend aftershave

Easy shave this morning. The Fat is such good soap. The big Omega boar whips up tremendous lather with ease and the mild yet efficient L1 mowed it down. Some Fine American Blend at the end to tie it all up. I always look forward to this combination.

Have a great day!