July 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Straight Razor newbie.

Today....
Tried to strop on the paddle that I bought for my kitchen knives. Found it awkward and difficult keep flat heel to toe. Moved over to the hanging and liked it better. Followed the recommendations Glen gave me. Was careful to keep the spine contact. Took it slow and gentle.

Changed my grip up a little. Feels more comfortable with only 1 finger in front of the scales.

Shaved my arm a little to get a feel for the touch and angle. Much better on the face this time.

Did most of 1 pass, but laid back on the tricky spots. Finished up with the Focus. Brought the alum back out (had not needed lately) and got a little noise right where I felt I wasn't shaving well, otherwise quiet. Still got a long way to go.

Satisfied overall. Thanks to all who contributed suggestions. This will be a fun learning process.

 

Thanks to all for the prayers and positive thoughts. My girl is a smart one. She's going to get this figured out. She's meeting with my father, a retired RN, at an outpatient clinic tomorrow to start a 30 day program. In her case we're talking about a Rule, not just a focus. Meanwhile I'm enjoying lots of intense catch up Pawpaw time.

Tapatalk Via Kyocera

 

Thanks, we are sitting in the Las Vegas airport for two hours. Any longer and I would start to get whiny

 

Thank you, Kevin @HolyRollah put new shoes on this razor, it was transformative.

 

July 2018

July 1

Razor - 1918 Gillette Old Style
Blade - (1)
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Brush - Jayaruh #54
Post - Alum

Well, July has arrived and in four days the popsicle sticks will come out to play in our annual Cinco de Julio celebration! I decided to honor the tradition by spending the month with all aggressive razors/blades etc. So, expect to see a lot of my Fatip, the Adjustables wide open (including the Futur clone), some shavettes and, of course, pain sticks. Should be a fun month. Going to start it up with the 1918 Gillette Old Style with a Sharp Star blade. Aggressive 100 year old razor with a sharp and excellent Russian blade - no better way to start. The JR54 and the Fat for lather that is absolutely perfect and two passes and touch ups later I'm as smooth as a baby's butt. Yep. We call that the BBS. Nice! Alum was quiet so all's well at Cartel HQ!

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Best wishes for your daughter and family, Rick. It is probably a very good thing she is there with you.

 

1-2 de Julio, MCMXVIII A.D.

SRX
Derby
Barbasol
Alum
FW

 

July 1st
Gillette Old Type/ Lux Handle
Rapira Swedish Supersteel
Jeeves OHS Key Lime SS
Omega Travel Boar
Thayers
Captain’s Choice Bay Rum AS

This is my hotel set up for the next few days. I have a thick capped OT that I have neglected for awhile. When I bought it last year, it was quite gungy and when I cleaned it up I realized it was a frankenrazor. It had a mismatched, cracked ball end handle that wasn’t even the same colour. The head was minty, though. It is a smoother, but less efficient shaver than my earlier thin capped Canadian. I switched this Stainless Lux handle on to give it some heft and will use it this trip.
Had a fine and smooth 2 passer this morning. I still think my other OT is a bit more efficient, but this was pretty silky.
On a more important note, my daughter medaled in one of her dances today. Please excuse my proud dad moment:

A couple more dances to come on Tuesday as well.

Not sure of my exact focus for when I get home. Thinking of trying to finish off a few soaps and use some recently neglected razors. The Popsicle Stick razor will probably appear again as well.

Have a great day all!

 

July will continue with the MMOC except now with the added benefit of the perfect for travel stick on shelf I picked up at the Japanese $1.90 store. It and I are on a bus tomorrow for a three day visit to the lovely riverside town of Kampot near the Cambodian coast. The coast gets a lot more rain than Phnom Penh so I expect to do more reading than sightseeing.

Street food lunch of a very fine Thai papaya salad and some mystery meat bao. About $1.25.

 

Shave fu lives!

Sounds like a great shave, Clint. The pic is, as per usual, superb.

Wow, super collection of SS’s, Jim. Sounds like a great focus.

Congrats, Charlie. So that is what a full puck finished looks like. It has been so long I’ve forgotten...

I think you’all love the Pre war Canadian Tech, John. Congrats!

Excellent review, Andrew, and a top notch combo as well.

Cool looking Rooney, Keith. Is it vintage?

Great kit, and safe travels Brian!

 

Ok, I'm in for July.
I'll only use this gear until August:

Razor- Gillette Tech (England 1979 with aluminum spiral/plaid ball end handle and zamac no-logo top cap).
Blade- I'll continue using my June 30 day Brit Wilkinson Super Sword Edge (with 17 shaves from June on it now).
Soap- Tabac puck.
Brush- Plisson "La Maison du Barbier" synthetic with faux ivory handle.
Aftershave- Nivea Men "Cooling" Aftershave Balm with a few drops of Tabac Eau de Cologne blended together.

 

Thank you for sharing your proud dad moment and congratulations to your daughter.

 

Great travel set up, Jason! Congrats to your daughter!

 

Thank you, Jason!

 

I know you had a great time. Safe travels.

 

Good work and progress.

 

Great travel setup Jason. Congrats to your lovely daughter.

 

Thank you Jason.

 

July 2, 2018
Rocnel SE-G
Gem PTFE
Thäter 4125/3
AOS Ocean Kelp
Myrsol Antesol

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Weekends are entirely too short. Up and moving to fight the Atlanta commute. Everything worked well. Three passes and touch ups ended with a near perfect shave. One small nick due to operator error. A splash of Antesol and I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Monday.