MAYhem 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

For this morning's shave, another instance were the first load didn't get much soap on(to me), but the second brush swirl saved the day. I used to think I was loading too hard, now maybe too soft. I guess I shouldn't care about what the brush looks like after a load-I can always straighten it out("fluff" it out)later.

 

Great report Ken. Personally I get better results with certain razors than others.

 

Thursday May 3 - ONE day only MAYhem!


Lee Valley plastic paintscraper / Gem PTFE ( 1)
JR #276 white ash and boar brush
The Dry Dock shave bowl
Vitos Eucalyptus shaving cream
Alum and Osage Rub

Backup:
Swiss Army Knife
Styptic Pencil, disinfectant, bandaids
Supply Co V.2 SE injector on plate #2 / Personna ( 19) - for cleanup

Okay, I realized I was reading and answering posts while avoiding going into the bathroom, so I went and got the paint scraper shave over with. I regret to admit that some spark of sanity did in fact seep in overnight, so I took my kitchen sink model Swiss Army Knife in with me and used the metal file to round off the exposed corners of the blade to minimize the risk of gouging with them. I decided this was necessary because the paint scraper does not lock the blade securely. The blade can't move in and out or slip sideways but has about 1/16" of "flap".

I bowl lathered for maximum control over the consistency of the lather, and added twice as much water as usual so it would be as slick and runny as possible.

Then I grabbed the scraper and shaved. It took a bit of experimenting to find the best hold. Eventually I settled on grasping it with index finger and thumb in the side indentations as the way to get the best control. I found that I could "ride the cap" on the lip of the handle, although the flappiness of the blade made achieving an optimum angle difficult. If I ever did this again (not bloody likely) I think I would root through the bag of scrapers to find one with a tight door and non-flapping blade. (Sold in a bag of 6 for I think $5.00 complete with blades.)

I could hear the scraper blade against my whiskers with every stroke. The combination of the flappiness of the blade and the extreme light weight of this premium razor made the shave somewhat inefficient. My single pass got me down to somewhere between a SAS and CCS. No blood though.

I lost patience after one pass and grabbed the Supply Co injector for a second cleanup pass. That left me at my normal DFS. I would have to say that an unexpected benefit of the Paintscraper Razor was that it made the Personna blade in the injector feel as smooth as silk on its 19th outing.

The styptic pencil, bandaids and disinfectant went back into the cupboard unused. The alum was completely silent, and the Osage Rub finished off what turned out to be a decent shave.

 

Thank you John. I am just too lazy to take the photos on a daily basis.

I have the Layrite Original Pomade and find it to be a great product. I bought it and the Anchors Hair Company Teddy Boy Original at the same time. Testing them side by side, they both work very well. Like shaving soaps, I can see keeping both around.

 

May 3rd
Cooper MonoBilt w Polsilver
Soap Commander Endurance SS
Stirling Finest / Maple
Thayers
Barrister’s Reserve Spice AS

Got back home late last night. Happy to shave in my own ‘den’ this morning. Decided not to pull the pain stick out until tomorrow. Face-lathered a very nice SC lather. I am quite smooth after 2 passes plus a little neck touch up. Finished with the Reserve for a Spicy kind of morning.
Have a great day all!

 

Great report Randy. Glad the SE worked well for you.

 

Great photo and report Perry.

 

May 3, 2018

Colonial Razors 'The General' with UFO Colibri SS
Feather Pro
Paladin Graphite Moe
MDC Le Bol En Bois
Chatillon Lux Champs De Lavande AS & PST

​

 

Way to go John. You guys are much braver than me. Glad you made it through without drawing blood.

 

Glad you made it home safely. Wonderful picture and lineup Jason.

 

Great photo Amigo. I thought you used a Super Pro in the General.

 

Good to see you home safe and sound, Jason. Nice photo as usual. How do the SC Endurance and Reserve Spice versions of Old Spice compare?

 

I love the handle on that razor!

 

Great score on the Featherweight, Chris!

Another stunner, Clint. The OneBlade seems to be coming out pretty consistently now. Is the tuxedo a good fit after the swap?

Sounds like a great start to the day, Perry. I might have to try the Pitralon some day as we seem to enjoy some of the same splashes.

Wow, MAYhem indeed John. Congrats (?) on a great job with the paint scraper. I’ve used one of those Lee Valley scrapers, and you are a brave man! Certainly there should be some nominations coming forthwith.

 

Thank you, John. I’ve never owned the Shulton original (save for splashing on some of my grandfather’s when I was 7) so I can’t say how either compares to it. Out of the SC, Stirling Spice and Reserve Spice, the Reserve is my favourite. It seems to be a much more ‘complex’ and well-rounded scent. The Endurance isn’t far off it. The Stirling Spice does seem to be lacking a little something, to me, in comparison to the Reserve. All 3 are a nicer scent that the P&G version, imho.

 

Thank you, Clint. It is always nice to be back home.

 

Thanks, Jason! I enjoy the Pitralon. It has a cedar note that's prevalent. Nice scent overall. Not overpowering. Good face feel (not just straight alcohol like some splashes feel) and a nice menthol touch.

 

Thank you, Clint!

 

Much respect, John!

 

@clint64, @Boojum1, and @jtspartan - terrific photos and shave reports this morning as usual!