March 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thanks Keith!

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Thank you, Bruce!

 

I applaud you for sticking at it and making it work. It takes double the effort to do it part time. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t say that to be judgmental, I went after it three times, and quit. It wasn’t til I had some weeks off from work and hit it hard, that I pulled it off. Good for you!

 

March 25, 2018

Razor: Baili Updated Tech Clone
Blade: German Wilkie (1)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Williams
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

You may recall my travails from last month with trying to buy the newer Baili clone of the Tech (BR171?) from an AliExpress vendor. Thanks to the absolutely confusing Baili numbering scheme combined with a vendor who "randomly" ships both old and new stock, I ended up with the older version of the razor. Recently, I found a US-based seller who was selling a white-box (i.e., poly wrap) version along with 20 Curley Shave-brand blades for less than the AliExpress vendors. It came on Friday and today is my first shave with it.

This is definitely an interesting razor. It is the same one which Razorock sells as the "DE1" except for the possible fact that it is the shiny chrome version. It is a solid razor with thick plating and a somewhat hefty handle. The head design seems to borrow from several models in that it has a cap like a 60's Tech, a curved baseplate like a post-War Tech, safety bars that curve in a more German style, and covered blade ends. Overall, I'd call it a mild and smooth razor. I expect that it would be best paired with a sharper blade.

Overall, I was very satisfied with the shave although a couple of spots could have been a bit closer.

At some point, I'll give the Chinese-made Curly Shave blades a go. I have 25 of them and May is coming. For today, though, I wanted to see how the razor would do with a known decent blade.

 

March 25, 2o17
Shave 11 of 30

So wow, haven't shaved since Tuesday. That wasn't my intent, I was hoping to get on an every other day schedule, but it is nice not having to worry about being clean shaven. So I decided to be lazy. So with the exception of the chin and around the mouth, it was a two pass shave. I thought I was going to have to break out the E3 to finish up but I was able to get to it with the shavette. I did give myself a few tiny weepers, but nothing that some cold water couldn't solve. it was the second shave for teh blade, so out and into the blade bank it went.

19 to go for this focus.

 

-Gem Jr.
-Stirling Marble M7 Fan
-Stirling Rose
-Stirling Piacenza

Inspired by some 30DC enabling, and having just ordered an MMOC, I chose my only Gem for tonight’s shave. It reminded me of why I generally dislike Gem style razors. The blades suck. I am sorry, they just suck. I am not sure I have ever had a shave even approaching “epic” with one of these razors. Makes me think I should do a paint scraper shave for Mayhem.




Now in all seriousness, I should probably do a focus, but not sure I want to step away from decent shaves long enough to pull it off. We’ll see.



Generally, do you guys recommend the PTFE SS blades?

We got a little sun this week, and the driveway piles are under the roof of my truck now. I predict it all to be gone by May this year.

 

Nice filter effect, Jared!

I like the Gem Super Stainless blades I can get at Walgreens. I don't think they are coated, but honestly I am not sure. They hold you well, as I can easily get 14+ shaves out of them. They also don't have a rusting problem seeing as how I am in SE Texas where I am pretty sure rust was invented.

 

In FL our rust has rust. Just saying...

 

March Madness!!!

March 25

Razor - 1959 (E1) Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (1)
Soap - Proraso Sandalwood
Brush - Stirling Two Band Synthetic
Post - Alum

Two changes tonight. New blade. Wanted a challenge so I went with the Astra Super Platinum, a known trouble maker of a blade. Not sharp at all, really horrible, almost to the horrible level of a Sharp Star. Don't ask me why I keep over 100 on hand and use it for my head shave. I'm just a glutton for punishment. While you're sending all of your worthless Sharp Stars to HQ for disposal, go ahead and include the Astra SP's you have as well. There's nothing the Cartel won't do for your comfort.

The other change was just color of the Proraso tub. Went to red, which is the sandalwood. I'll stick with it through the move. The shave was a two pass and touch up BBS that left a great face feel and made the shave a pleasure. In spite of the blade, yes. Seriously - box them up and send them in.

Four more days of work then a weekend of fun on the way with the move. House is starting to look bare but full of boxes. Storage is slowly filling up. All of my shaving gear except this setup is now sealed in a box awating its new home. Have a great Monday and start to your week! We'll be watching the rivers rise around here the next few days as rain moves in to stay!

​

 

A MMOC is a harsh taskmaster. It's wooly and difficult to tame, but the challenge is rewarding for that very reason. The Ever Ready is a much gentler shave, but the MMOC will demand more attention to detail and bite you for slacking, which will make you more skilled in the end as you discover that technique trumps tools.

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My recent month with the MMOC bears that out exactly! Fantastic razor for those who have the patience to master it.

 

When you have two items that don't work for you on their own, pair them together.

The culprits:
Wholly Kaw Merchant of Tobacco soap
Clubman Special Reserve aftershave

Here's the rub:
While Wholly Kaw is an awesome soap functionally, the scent has been an overwhelming disappointment, what with its being a linear Nestle Cocoa Powder bomb.

Clubman Special Reserve, while being a fun wear personally, only sees limited use as it is quite strong and of limited versatility. It also has the distinction of being my wife's second-least-favorite aftershave, besting only the mighty Veg.

Tonight, Wholly Kaw came up in the rotation, along with the Fatboy and a new Feather blade. Usually a great combo, but I'm tired and wasn't really focusing and got a couple of weepers out of the deal. At least my face was super soft. I decided that I would try and at least get a little enjoyment out of my aftershave and threw caution to the wind, slapping on some Special Reserve rather liberally. I walked out of the bathroom just as my wife was walking into the bedroom. She immediately stated that I smelled really good. I checked her head for fever, examined her birthmark to make sure it was really her, and asked her what had happened. She said she really liked the new aftershave I was wearing. Turns out Cocoa powder and spiced leather are complimentary scents that have a strong connection to my wife's olfactory pleasure.



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You need to bottle that and keep it around for those special date nights!!

 

I'm with you Jared. I tried a couple GEM SE's & different blades. Couldn't find my happy place with them. They got traded to another TSD member. Later I saw one come up in a PIF. Sorry Fuzzy, but I just couldn't make it work.

I feel for y'all Northerners. Growing up in Chicago 'Burbs I remember winter. Here on the South Coast the shorts and sandals are coming out of the closet. Highs in the low 80's next 4 days. We're suffering, too.

 

I agree. I buy the same blades and get plenty of life out of them. And I especially like them in the GEM Junior.

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Only a few days left to March madness. Got the shavette dialed in pretty good . 30 day rules do work . Did this shave in honour of my late father. Sunday would have been his 92nd birthday and he loved the Aqua Velva . Heres to you Dad !

 

Truth.

#unplanneddatenightverified

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Here's to your dad.

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MARCH of the Patchouli!

Stirling Glastonbury sample
30 DC LE Cypress & Cashmere
Suribachi bowl & cool water
'55 Gillette Red Tip & Kai blade
Homemade Lime Patchouli AS
Althogh I'm sure to wander, I've enough Stirling samples to pull a Soap Focus together. Scored a bit of irritation leaving blades in various DE's so I'm also going to try shuffling one blade around to different razors. Kind of late in the month to finally find a Focus but here I am. Today's freshly unwrapped slice of goodness with thanks to Jared @PickledNorthern arranging a drop shipment land on my porch. Tallow, lanolin, & shea butter base with Patchouli, Lavender, Oakmoss, Lichen, Frankincense, and Vetiver. Easy thick slick shiny lather with very good residual glide. What's not to love! Well, the blade in the Red Tip was less than desirable but that's my lack of book keeping. Already got a plan to avoid trying to get one more shave from a blade when I just don't keep track. Aggressive razor + sharp blade = ride the cap and no pressure. I did that part right and avoided further irritation. CCS is fine since no one inspects my shave but me. A splash of Everclear with E.O. for flavor topped off the patchouli fix.
Good Shaves Y'all!

 

Monday shave

This PRC western grind kami is fresh of a Gokyumo 20k refresh, the edge was very smooth and nicely sharp. This puck of Tabac is really pissing me off, it just refuses to die. A nice shave with a sharp blade.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A+ Sharpness A+

Razor: PRC western grind kami
Strop: Mastro Livi
Brush: 30DC LE
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Tabac
AS: Enhanced Alt Insbruck AS, Chanel Antaeus ASB
Scent: Chanel Antaeus