April 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

It's gotta be time.....

 

And by liability, we mean blackmail. Occasionally you forget that this is just a Cartel full of icy gangsters.

Mossad has nothing on the Georgia Crew. @cmorris357

 

SOTD

Super speed
Nacet (1)
Fendrihan Synthetic Tuxedo
Proraso Red Preshave
Tabac
Williams Aqua Velva
Proraso Blue AS Balm

Had nice shave this evening. In honor, of an earlier conversation on here, I used the Tabac. Used the Proraso Red Preshave, not sure if it helps, but I enjoy the scent, so while the heck not use. I'm about ready to declare those stubborn hairs on middle neck as unshaveable. I've tried stretching in every direction, buffing, etc. I'm not even sure a cartridge could shave them. The wife said the smell of the Williams Aqua Velva was ok. In my book that's a win. Have a nice evening/morning gentlemen.


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Good news on a Thursday!

We'll start by saying that I shaved with the FB/9, Arko, @jtspartan Tuxedo, and my third Astra of April. It was chill.

That's not the good news.

The news was that at 2:45 pm I was picking up my friend from the hospital. We got him medicated, regulated and situated back at his place. His parents arrived this evening, so I am back home. He starts intense therapy with a counselor and psychiatrist next week, I will be his driver and personal assistant until he gets back to feeling strong. It's gonna be a long road, but I saw some encouraging things today. He laughed at appropriate jokes, and really seemed present, though obviously dealing with his new meds. Hopefully, we can get him through this and see the other side soon. I told that I don't have all the answers, and I struggle too, but that he will never be left to struggle alone. He's gonna be ok, and he knows it.

Ok. Now somebody post something outrageous so I can get back to Flat Earth, or Egyptian Math or shaving or something...

 

Nice avatar. Rapira is good stuff.

 

Agreed. @Screwtape did try a while ago, though, as I recall.

 

Thank you, Gentlemen.
Andrew, I agree with you about the TFS products. The only one I didn’t enjoy was Farinik. The secret, I find, is to load the heck out of them.

 

Time to shuffle security here at HQ. Sometimes the view from the throne is a bit obscured from the reflection of the sun off of all of the Russian steel around here.

 

That was heavy set of boxes. It's crazy how bulk cases of blades feel like they're packed full of steel or something.

 

Mainly Search-Fu. It was a tough one. I searched for bolt and it came up. Oddly it came up in March of 2017, so it was a March Madness shave and not a MAYhem shave. They are all loaded into a "Hold My Beer" folder. St. Louis edition.

 

The power of numbers. One little blade - light as air. Bulk cases - fatal if dropped from more than 2 feet.

 

Most eloquently waxed my good fellow.


Although, we must be mature enough in our skills to make accommodations for properly bloomed Barbasol on rush days.

 

Yeah, I took a sample chunk of Barristers Reserve Cool, smeared it in the bottom of my shave bowl, added at least five times as much water as soap so the sample was completely under a pool of water, then went to work with my brush. I was expecting soupy looking water; I got usable lather -- a little runnier in consistency than I usually prefer but lather that could be brushed on, would stay in place, and gave good shave protection. I was quite impressed.

 

Back to the Futur and Arko. Ran it with a Feather as a test, set the same as I'd have it with an Astra and the experience was no different. Feather makes no difference for me in this razor, I'll give it until the month end set like this to see.

I've shaved for just over two months with the Futur now - exceptions being my R41 Wednesdays and a couple of other departures. 99% of shaves with Astra blades and two soaps in terms of TOBS and Arko. I do therefore feel I've got to know this razor and get a decent idea of technique though I've a way to go.

The perfect combo for me feels like
Razor: Futur on #4.5-5.
Blade : Astra (Feathers make no difference I think so no need to use them but will check for a few shaves)
Soap: Arko trumps TOBS and will be my go to soap, setting the bar for others to perform against
Post shave: I'm loving Speick at the moment so sticking with that.

Overall the Futur has been a brilliant first razor and could easily be the only one, the issue with that being I have become distracted by the sheer enjoyment of having a few different ones. For now though each of the stable will get a month of daily shaving which sees me through enough time.

I've planned April to be FaTip, Feather for two weeks, then Astra for two weeks, Arko soap + Speick with occasional Farenheit for the final scent. R41 Wednesday will now be replaced by Futur Wednesday for May.

PS all the riding the cap info has been brilliant and to anyone new...the one razor/blade/soap for a month + working on this is a brilliant way to kick off as a DE person. Therefore a word of thanks from me to everyone who quietly shares all the information in here. One month of this and you can focus on learning the razor and your technique so it really does work.

 

Very nice report Ken!
I completely agree, doing a rule/focus has made a huge difference in the quality of my shaves. I too feel my technique has a ways to go. Light pressure has been committed to muscle memory but I still catch myself dropping to too steep an angle on occasion. I catch it pretty quick, hopefully in time it won't happen at all.
Happy shaves!

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Pressure is still something I have to watch consciously rather than relaying on muscle memory and angle is again something I have to think about all the time. The latter is why the Fatip is coming in for May as it will keep me focussed

 

My nemesis is a Blackbird OC. It will be my MAYhem razor.

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Friday shave:

As a nod to the warmer I used some Razorock P.160. A change of pace and it on the list of soap to finish off because it is getting close to the end. This is nice stuff. This Drew Dick is the most hollow, loudest razor I have, it always feels like if it was any bigger it would flex. All was right with the world and I had an epic shave.

Irritation A+ Closeness A+ Smoothness A+ Sharpness A+

Razor: Drew Dick 5/8 extra hollow
Strop: SRD
Brush: “Etsy” silver tip
Pre: Nivea
Soap: Razorock P.160
AS: Enhanced Florida Water AS, Edwin Jagger ASB
Scent: Creed Royal Mayfair

 

Thank you Jared.


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Day 156

Gem Clog Pruf
Gem Stainless
Omega Baby Pro
Arko Stick
Superior 70

Another nice shave from this pedestrian kit... Enjoy your day.