April 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

SOTD 4.6.2018
Face Shave (1 day) and Head Shave (4 days)
Brush: VDH Badger
Soap: Arko stick
Razor: GEM Junior
Blade: GEM Stainless (2)
Post-shave: Assured WH, Nivea Men Sensitive PS Balm, Adidas Dynamic Pulse AS

Another late shave after a busy chore day. This was my second use of the GEM Junior razor from the G3 wartime kit. As a reminder, yesterday, I got several weepers on my neck when I got greedy and tried to find the Baby. Today, I really concentrated on angle and only doing 2 passes on my face. This really helped. It slowed me down, and I maintained focus on the angle, keeping the razor head nearly flat on my skin as I shaved. I bit myself on the jaw, ever so slightly when I loss focus for a second, but this occurred just as I was finishing up with the face shave. I managed a CFS, even on the neck, because I slowed down... I concentrated on the proper angle... and I stretched the skin.

Then I moved on to my scalp and it felt as if I had used this razor a hundred times because it just felt natural and effortless. I did 1 pass with a second clean-up pass and I was CFS.... maybe even BBS! Great shave today!

Naturally, the Arko provided a terrific, protective layer of lather. I can understand why it's loved by many.

Happy shaves! Have a great weekend everyone!
​

 

Good to see you again, Charlie!

 

James @jtface.... don't be afraid of the 1912. It's a fantastic SE shaver. Don't be afraid of it. Jim and Andrew are right on. Fine the right angle and you're on the right road.

 

Great shave, Andrew.... but it's overshadowed by an outstanding photo of your son. He's growing up to be a man's man.... I see he's already channel surfing. YEEESSS!!! You must be very proud!

 

Thanks, Clint.

Thanks, Jim

I'm glad you're warming up to the MMOC. There seems a skill-level a user has to achieve to really appreciate it.

Nice set-up, Clint!

Terrific set-up and photo, Perry! Enjoy your weekend!

 

Arko Adjustable April!!

April 6

Razor - 1959 (E4)Gillette Fatboy (Me)
Blade - (3)
Soap - D.R. Harris & Co. Marlborough
Brush - Stirling Two Banded Synthetic
Post - Alum, Marlborough Cologne

The evening started with a head shave. Haven't done that in two weeks due to moving so it was definitely time. Two weeks growth means one thing. Pain stick. I chose the Kai Captain with the Kai Captain Original blade. Lathered up the Arko for this one from the mug and went to work. Nice and effective against that extra growth and only two bites. One behind my right ear when I twisted the tip just a bit. Nothing major. Another just over and back from my left ear due to a bad set down. I can't complain about that. The new sink is bigger so my view from the hand mirror to see the back of my head in the mirror behind me is different. Just didn't adjust for that with the set down.

Main event was the Fatboy on "me" again with the Rapira. Stayed with the Marlbourough soap and had a great shave. Thought it was perfect then a weeper showed up on my jawline near my goatee. Still a DFS finish. Near-BBS, really, so no worries. Back to work tomorrow and ready to roll.

Spent the money to fix the car today. Nothing major, just a painful 3 hour wait for the part to arrive. Good to go. Hope you have a weekend without any problems!

​

 

Bold enough to head shave with a pain stick! I know you do that... but it still amazes me. You remain my hero!

 

Oh man.... I tried to catch up tonight, but I don't think I can do it.

 

With a hand mirror no less...

 

You’ll get it soon enough, Dan. I hadn’t used a GEM Jr. until this winter myself, and keeping the top flush seemed to make all the difference. I bet next time it’ll be dialed in.

Hope the car wasn’t too much of a hit.
DRH is one of the traditionals I haven’t tried yet. Almost pulled the trigger on Arlington last year. Have you tried that one, Neal?

 

Thanks, Jason!

 

You guys are very supportive and amazing to help me justify what I was going to do anyways. Cheers!

 

No I haven't. But now, of course, since you mentioned it.............. As for the car - we lucked out a bit on that. Yesterday a couple of lights came on, TCS and TPS if you know what those are, then the check engine light came on. Then, a friendly new neighbor kind of guy flagged me down to let me know the brake lights weren't working. Internet diagnosed the Brake Switch being the culprit. Took it in at noon today and paid for the diagnostic. Yep, brake switch and it would be two hours to get one. So, we sat down and got comfy to wait it out. Then they let me know the cost. Just over $400. OUCH! Well, can't drive without brake lights without attracting cars with funny flashing lights. Part showed up finally, took them all of 10 minutes to put it in and they called us up. Seems like the original price they had given me was that high because they thought they would have to pull the console to fix it. They didn't. He did it all just under the dash. Final cost - less than $200 including the diagnostic. Not many times I can remember going to the shop and paying LESS than what they said so I am a happy camper.

 

4/6 SOTN- off rule
Razor- Black Beauty Adjustable X1 (1977)
Blade- Wilkinson Sword England (Vintage)
Brush- 30DC LE with Omega Pro Badger
Lather Bowl- Lobster Rose Pottery
Soap- PAA Prickly Pear ATG
Post- Cold Water, Alum, Thayer’s Rose
Aftershave- PAA Prickly Pear ATG

So let’s start with the razor. New to the den. My birth year and quarter. About two months ago, I deleted all my searches for this razor and decided to quit looking for it. Someone posted this one on Facebook as an estate sale find they were going to flip. It arrived pretty clean with all all the adjustments working. Cleaned it up some more and oiled it. I don’t need another razor.

Software, I got a shampoo bar as a sample with some Stirling body soaps I ordered. Liked it, getting more. Ordered one from PAA as well. Forgot this soap and splash was in my cart, and don’t look at the total until I had already paid. Mrs. Gulch didn’t believe that either. I didn’t need soap or aftershave.

Scent Profile: Sweet Orange Essential Oil, a hint of Rose, Benzoin Resin, Sandalwood, Desert Brush, Prickly Pear Oil. Light menthol. Good performing and thirsty lather. Aftershave is top notch, with a good level of menthol, and a long lasting scent.
Blade was made in England, not sure of the date, but based on the age of the other stuff in the box, I think 70s or 80s. Performed well. Three passes on setting 5, and I’m BBS, but had a few weepers. Not quite epic, but one of the most enjoyable shaves I have had in a long time.

 

It's the least we can do. Seriously, really can't think of less that could have been done. Especially with your intent to charge ahead blindly.

 

Favorite movie quote...

If we can't control you I guess we have to support you. Woo

 

I have not seen any lather catcher love lately. Soooooo[. 1900 Superior....Williams...Eterna boar...Skin Bracer Cool Spice.

 

Rockwell 6c (3)
Rapira Swedish Supersteel
Fendrihan Tuxedo Synthetic
Proraso Red Preshave
B&M Taiga
Thayer's Medicated Witchhazel
Speick AS Splash

The Rockwell with the Swedish Supersteel brought home the baby in complete comfort. Mowed down A day and halfs growth like nothing passes. The OCD in me required a small touch up pass. All can is think I may found my blade for my Rockwell 6c. A perfect 10 shave in my book, the kind of shave I dreamed about when started my wet shaving journey. I'm as content as a man who just pulled his first piece of tail.

I would like to thank all the guys who have shared sage advice with me, I couldn't have gotten to this point with out you. Have a great weekend everyone, I'll be at the hospital working, enjoying my great shave.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

If I get that printed on tee shirts, you'll get a commission soon as the profits start rolling in.

 

Every dollar helps!