August 2018 30 Day Rule/focus Pix & Discussion

Looking forward to your thoughts on both.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

@jluc , can you send me a pm with your first and last name? Part of my plan is to send a second sample to those who were damaged in transport. Thanks, Pete

 

Thank you, Perry!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

You, sir, are a model of self-control and moderation. Although if I received a message that one of my favs was closing down - I'd probably break in a heartbeat.

 

No worries, Pete. I probably have enough of the sample you sent for several more shaves. Thanks for the offer and thanks again for the sample.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

I'll get the LC's boxed and out to you first of the week so you can have a couple more to admire there.

 

Hey - I would never say anything that could be taken as an insult. On the other hand, if the coverage is outkicked, then it's outkicked. Ok, guilty as charged.

 

That definitely looks familiar. And it's sitting right in front of me as it basks in the glory of being sent to the winner of the bet!

 

Speaking of blades - remind me how many months you made it and we'll settle up on that end as well.

 

Mail call!!

Thanks to his fall from the NB wagon, @jtspartan paid off his bet and sent me a new brush handle of his own creation. It's a beauty. Maple, gorgeous grain, and just waiting for the right knot to make it a classic. As it happens, @Screwtape also fell off the wagon just in time to provide the knot as per the bet. I'll be looking forward to putting them together!

​

Included in with the handle was a very nice razor, on loan for a bit - a 1969 (O4) Gillette short handle Black Beauty Adjustable. We didn't think it would make it in time for Adjustable August but yep - just in the nick of time.

​

 

Adjustable (Arko) Anything Goes and whatever else we decide AUGUST!!!!

August 30
Razor - 1969 (O4) Gillette Short Handle Black Beauty (9)
Blade - (2)
Soap - Arko
Brush - 30DC LE
Post - Alum

As per my last post I received a loaner of the only Gillette Adjustable I don't own at this point. The short handle Black Beauty. This one is a 1969 model and it's in perfect shape. Thanks to @jtspartan for offering to let me use it, especially since he knows how few adjustables I have laying around.

With two shaves left in the month this one arrived just in time. I switched the Ladas over from the Toggle, grabbed the Arko and, in a nod to the new handle from Jason that also arrived, grabbed the 30DC brush that he created as well. Lather was classic Arko and twice as easy with the Tuxedo knot in the LE brush. The short handled Gillette is, obviously, the same basic animal as the long handled version, but the short handle does give it a different balance and feel. It's quite nice, very well balanced, and provided an easy and quick shave set at 9.

All in all a very enjoyable shave as the month winds down. Glad this one showed up in time to make it into the line up!

In other news - my day off was a success. Doctor complimented my weight loss efforts and the new A1C1 number is out. Three months ago I was at an eye - popping and potentially heart-stopping 10.8. Today I'm at a much more respectable, though still slightly too high 7.3, which isn't bad for three months effort. The fight continues. Picked up a new 90 supply of meds from the pharmacy and got my flu shot while I was there, then we went out and celebrated with some chicken and sides out by the lake. Finished the day with the shave and that was the topping on a nearly perfect day! Hope yours was great as well.

Coming soon - the early bird arrival of the SEptember thread!

​

 

I made it 7 months. Ended Aug 11. I’ve got Voskhods and Sharp Stars in bulk and the only other Moscow blades I’ve tried are the Swedish Supersteels. Any other Moscows would be new to me. You might as well hold the blades until you are done with the razor so you only need to ship once.

 

That's a success story right there. Glad you joined us, hung around, and found some of the advice beneficial. Now that you're feeling more confidant with all the techniques in place you can think about doing a Focus. Try other razors, or pull out the blade sampler and randomly pick one. You've established your baseline acceptable shave so any variable can be judged positive or negative.

I've not been a participant in the NB's, but I'd consider arguing for special dispensation in the case of a company shutting down. Even if you aren't out of their soap yet, assuming you'd be replacing it when you do use it up. It's fixing to be unavailable.

 

The Cartel would be inclined to grant said dispensation, if only because while we may be a dictatorship of sorts, we're a benevolent dictatorship.

 

Technically, I haven't fallen off the wagon YET - I just have every intention of doing so when I get paid at the beginning of September and can afford to buy stuff... So my crash will occur around September 5 and I will have made it 8 months. For blades, I have lots of Voskhods and PolSilvers and some Rapira Swedish Supersteels but have never tried the other Russian blades.

It sounded like a very nice shave you got out of that short-handled Black Beauty. And congratulations on the excellent results at the doctor! Keep up the good work.

That's a beautiful handle Jason sent you! I have been looking at knots. APShaveCo has a brand new one out that is a synthetic that looks like a silvertip. It is supposed to be dense with good backbone but in particular, it's the first synthetic on the market that is fan-shaped. I think it would look good in that handle. Or they have a very nice similar knot that is the more usual bulb shape if you would prefer. Comments?

(NB: Since I am no longer doing NB'18, when I buy your knot I intend to buy myself one of their complete brushes with that fan knot in it. I think they look cool and I don’t have any fan knots in my brush assembly.)

 

Very nice photo.

 

Should get a great 'Duet'. The song of the razor should be soft and calm))). There should be no cod, as on an old vinyl record)))

Должен получиться отличный "Дуэт". Песня бритвы должна быть мягкая и спокойная))). Не должно быть треска, как на старой виниловой пластинке)))

 

Excellent report, John. Shame that neither the razor or cream are to your liking. Maybe the Russians should stick to making blades.

 

SOTD August 31, 2018

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: vintage Personna Ultra Chrome
Razor: Schick M1 injector
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Soap: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel, Fine American Blend aftershave

Happy Friday! This week has flown by but was filled with its challenges. I'm happy we are approaching a long weekend to rest and recover. Today's shave was terrific as usual. The Fat created a wonderful backdrop for the M1 to swipe it away easily and efficiently. Good finish from the American Blend and all is ready to go.

@NCoxSTL - Congratulations on your continued health improvements and weight loss and lower A1C1 number! That's amazing progress.

Have a great day!