February 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

John, congrats on your antithetical favorite (or favourite ) shave! We think we know what we like or what works best and then something surprises us. A couple of months ago, I felt the same way about my preference of natural hair over synthetic brushes. Now I find myself reaching for my LE synthetic fairly often.

I hope all is well.

 

Thought y'all would find this interesting. I bought a 1914 Ever Ready with case at good price off of E-bay. The handle was a little rusty and the comb I noticed had a slight bend to it which I figured I could straighten out. Mainly I wanted to us the head on the Weber Bulldog. Anyway, the razor came in today and I noticed that comb center section had been cut at some point in the past. I looked the selling pictures over carefully and the razor had a blade in it but the pictures did not show this nor would I ever expect this. The seller probably did not notice this as well and I have contacted the seller. I just find this kind of interesting that someone would take the time to cut the comb out of a razor.

 

The Rockwell is a nice looking razor, Danny. The bead blast finish is cool, and I imagine it combined with the handle knurling helps with the grip. You need to add some red paint to the R1, R2, and R5 bottom plate stampings to match your edge detailing.

I just can't understand why @Linuxguile doesn't have one of these ultra cool beauties in the den.

 

He just need a little push! We can help with that.

 

Yes, might have to do so, Andrew. I've M-bombed a few Splashes, but I think this is the only soap I've done it to so far. The M bomb has obviously been a popular product for quite some time, so I can't imagine it has been any sort of consistent problem adding it to soaps, but maybe there is something about this particular base that it does make a difference to. I might just do a 'test lather' tonight with the same gear to keep the variables the same and perhaps eliminate that (or not) as a reason.

 

Very nice set up and photo, Jason! It would be hard for any razor to compare with your MonoBilt, but your Canadian Pre-war Tech is a beauty. There's lots of Tech love round these parts, and I've got three of them waiting in the wings...

I'm with you on your preference of Rapira Platinum Lux over Ladas blades. The Rapira is smoother. I always enjoy reading reviews on B&M. Some folks love it, other no so much. I tried the Bay Rum soap, and I couldn't handle something in the scent. I'm not interested in trying any more of the B&M offerings.

 

SOTD February 21st


Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap
EDRIO #26 RazoRock MJ-90A
Schick Plus Platinum (4)
30DCLE (26mm, Frigate Class)
Dry Dock lather bowl
TFS Farinik
Stirling Glacial Unscented PSB
IB Amici AS

Another soap from TFS with a horrendous logo and in the chopping block. The scent of Farinik is orange, cinnamon, and a little bit of clove, which I actually quite like. TFS soaps don't make a dense lather but rather make a lighter fluffy lather. My method of lather building with TFS(and RazoRock soaps which are made by TFS) is to whip the lather into stiff peaks and then fold in water until I have soft peaks and a bit of shine. Farinik performed well enough and since I enjoy the scent it has earned the right to stay in my den.

The RazoRock MJ-90 is probably the most overlooked razor in their lineup and probably one of the best performers. Just enough blade feel to let you know what it's doing and amazing audible feedback. The MJ-90/Schick Plus Platinum had no problem getting the baby home after three passes, no touch-up needed. Have a great afternoon and evening my friends!



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Wow, that's not cool. You could always remove it completed and have a SEVette.

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I don't happen to like the dull bead blasted finish of the 6s. Which is why I was considering a 6c.

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I hope you get this squared away with the seller, Danny. I've bought a handful of razors on eBay, and I have always been treated well.

 

Andrew....I have my 6C loaned out to friend and he bought a 6S. If you would like to borrow my 6C I'll get it back from my friend and send it to you. This will give you a no cost test drive.

 

That is a thought. MAYhem is a comin!

 

I have always been treated well too. This is one of those things and I am sure the seller did not notice it and probably knows nothing about razors.

 

Great set up and shave, Andrew. Looks like enough lather for 7 passes!

It makes me wonder why soap makers use horrid logos. There are several soaps I'd never try based on the looks of the label, and this would be one of those. I'd rather see the Otter every morning that this poor old dude.

 

Thanks Charlie! No one ever accused me of skimping on the lather! Perhaps the label doesn't matter as much to Italian consumers, TFS's primary market.

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Fair enough, Andrew. I am not familiar with Rockwell lineup, but a polished finish would be very nice as well. In the watch world, satin finishes often translate to tool watches (they tend to hide scratches better) and polished finishes go with dress watches. I actually have and like both...

 

I would agree, Danny. I've purchased more than one razor where the seller referred to it by an incorrect name. I purchased a NEW SC, and the top cap came installed upside down. I'm sure it was an honest oversight.

 

I have bought a couple like that as well.

 

Very interesting and informative, Andrew. Glad to hear you've got this soap dialed in.
As you probably remember, I also picked up the Farinik when it was on closeout at IB a year or two ago. I also had the Mastro Miche you referenced as well (It gave up the ghost after 2 1/2 years in January, and was the subject of my first 30DC rule in the winter of 2016, actually). Like you, I did not find them the same (MM had lanolin, Farinik is vegan), but frankly found the MM a better product. The IB soaps I have that are probably TFS products (Mudder Focker, Irish Countryside) have different ingredients as well. The Irish Countryside, which I just got in and have not used, has Tallow and Lanolin. The Mudder Focker is a tallow soap as well, and is considerably harder than the MM or Irish Countryside. They all say 'Artisan Made in Italy', which is why I am assuming they are all TFS.
I guess where I am going with all this is that I like some of the bases from TFS better than others. You have gotten much better lathers with Farinik than I did. I binned it. I liked MM and like Mudder Focker. Irish Countryside was on sale, so I included it in with my Hawk order. I would not have done so without checking to see that it was their tallow/lanolin (and shea butter and aloe) base. It is softer than Mudder Focker, fwiw, and more like MM. Confused yet? I think I confused myself...

 

I think I follow . You know I will be moving my tub of MM along to a new home, if you start miss it. I know you still have some of the matching splash.
FWIW I find the the Super Formula (lanolin, Shea butter, and aloe. In both the tallow and vegan bases) to perform just as well or better then some of the well known artisans.

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