August 2018 30 Day Rule/focus Pix & Discussion

@Screwtape, I need to get products in hands that folks will be excited and talk about. Once established with reputation, prices will be much more. Right now, the price range would be $70-$250, excluding a handmade by me sheath. Discounts are available on straight razors as well.

Randy’s knife and the Ram’s Horn (or other material) VG-10 knife would be $250. The fixed blade knives made from 440C will be less. I have a couple of seconds at the lower end as well.

Form comparison purposes, Check the custom knives at the link below:

https://www.knifecenter.com/shop/custom-knives-from-knife-center

I do a number of patterns of folding knives or fixed blade knives depending on exactly what the customer wants. I really like small fixed blade knives for every day carry. The little ram’s horn knife below is my everyday carry and shop knife. After considering safety issues, I pocket carry this knife with no trouble. Not only do fixed blades cost less, there aren’t any moving parts to break.

The ram’s horn folder is 4 inches closed with a blade length of 2.5 inches. Both this knife and @baylorgators are liner locks. Randy’s knife is 3 inches closed with a blade length of 2 1/2 inches. The scale (handle) material on his knife is dyed cottonwood burl. Randy’s is a lock back with nail nick and this one has a thumb stud.

I have plenty of cool material for scales and can order anything I don’t have. The only restrictions are ethical. i.e. any kind of ivory, giraffe bone, etc...

 

Those pine cone scales are super cool!

 

I forgot one of @Screwtape 's questions. Randy's knife is damascus, here's a pic of it.

 

I've researching the best inexpensive razor for a beginner, meaning $15 or under.

In line with the 30 day focus theme of this thread, I've been spending an awful lot of time with:

Weishi long handle
One of these blades: Gillette 7 0'clock, Gillette Silver Blue or Astra

I've come to this conclusion: The Weishi's are hard to beat for a super mild inexpensive razor. The Rockwell R1 is a great value for the money with aggressiveness similar to a Red Tip. The plastic Feather twist to open is great for not getting nicks, though doesn't feel smooth to me.

 

Ever try an injector or vintage single edge razor? They are inexpensive and are intuitive as far as angle. There are a lot of fans of those types of razors in this thread and on TSD. Let us know if you'd like to try one.

 

August Focus

Today's shave bears no resemblance to August 1st's.
Finishing this month off with the R41 and Cella.
Have to admit I got a slight tingling on my shave area after the second pass.
It wasn't awful, so I won't bin the soap.
Nice, cushiony lather that lacked in slickness until pass 3, when it was finally hydrated enough.
BTW, this Cella is off of the 1000g chunk and was generously given to me by a fellow shaver.
The scent is VERY faint; barely anything at all. Meh.
Some compare Cella to Boellis Panama 1924, but I can't agree. Boellis' scent is quite lovely and potent.
Boellis also is a slicker soap. Granted, it costs quite a bit more, but you are getting your money's worth.
4th shave with the Perma-Sharp. No degradation that I can feel...yet.
Forgot to mention that the M&F Polo is one of my favorite brushes. A1
Menthol-laden Florida Water is really refreshing. No cloying scent. Just sunshine in a bottle.​

 

Did you self mentholate? Fantastic photo Joseph!

Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk

 

Great shave John. The CH2 Synthetic should eat through the soap in short order.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Great shave and photo Jason. You have two winners in the New LC and Seville.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Great progress James. I would just stay with one soap/cream. It will make judging your progress easier.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

You are making some real progress Randy. I understand the time constraints on photos so keep updating us on your progress.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Wonderful shave and photo Joseph.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Thanks Clint.

Thanks Andrew. I pulverized 8.5g of menthol crystals and added them to the Florida Water.

 

Comparable to the Weishi, it's inspiration is the Gillette Flare Tip. You mentioned having a Red Tip so you already see the difference in quality between the modern version and a 60-70 year old vintage razor. Check you local antique shop for a Lady Gillette DE. Same middle of the road aggression as a Flare Tip, but the longer handle like the Weishi.

Tapatalk Via Kyocera

 

Thank you Clint, and agree 100% on the soap and razor.

 

Thank you, Andrew. Top notch performers all, as well.

 

Thanks to you and @Keithmax for these suggestions. I didn't mention this in my post but am working through current production razors as they'll be included in starter kits.

 

Hi. So thinking ahead to the September 30 day thread here. I'm planning to try to follow the 30 day rule.

So far I've been learning on a Black Beauty and feel I've made good progress. I'm starting to become more confident and I've nearly eliminated my post shave irritation.

But... I have 2 new razors coming in over the next 3 days - A Slim Adjustable and a Fatboy Adjustable.

What do you guys think for September? Change up the razors? Or stay with the Black Beauty?

I'm really intrigued with the Fatboy but --- let's face it --- I'm still learning.

So whaddya' think?

 

The less you change things up, the better. Having said that, those 3 razors are pretty similar, so if you are really that excited about the Fatboy, I’d suggest trying it for a shave; then decide which one you will stick with for 30 days, and commit to it. If you don’t switch back and forth or change the settings on it, you’ll probably be just fine.

 

August 29th
Razor: Rex Ambassador (4)
Blade: Personna Platinum Chrome (3)
Brush: Yaqi High Mountain Silvertip
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: Soap Commander Vision
Stirling unscented mentholated witch hazel
AS: Soap Commander Vision

Good evening, friends!

Great shaves have become the norm. Two pass with touch up, near BBS.

Have a great night!


Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk