March 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Edison Carter · Mar 7, 2019

NCoxSTL said: ↑

I know I use the term BBS a lot but for me it just means it's as good as I've ever gotten it. I agree that it is a term that is somewhat overused at times. Now, as for the help for those rubbing cotton balls and you ranting, my wife is taking new clients. Although if your disorder also involves shaving she might not be the most sympathetic to your plight. Sorry about that. My fault there, probably.
Click to expand...

It is your gracious thought that counts here, but there are just some excentricites that are beyond the scope of even the most astute professionals.

brit · Mar 7, 2019

NCoxSTL said: ↑

Ah we're just here to give you a little help and cheer you on. Great work following the steps to mastering technique! Makes us proud!
Click to expand...

thank you sir,encouragement is a great thing, makes great things happen..no matter how small the task at hand..

RyX · Mar 7, 2019

March Madness?

Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood SS
B-400 By @twhite, WD HM badger
Suribachi bowl, cool water
Lutz Slant DE, Gillette Silver Blue
Proraso Sandalwood AS
After seeing Neal @NCoxSTL struggling to get a passable lather from his T&H soap, I decided to give mine a shot. Purchased from the same shop, by the same traveler, and smuggled into The States by the same Agent, though the ingredients vary somewhat. Last time I used this puck it was coarsely grated and pressed into a SS Grundtal dish. Having settled well it loaded easily enough with a fairly coarse and scritchy badger brush. Bowl lathering produced a fine lather that, though not as dense as ArBac, gave plenty of glide and didn't dissipate. The residual slickness is on par with several of my favorite soaps and well above merely adequate. I swiped the GSB blade from the Gillette #195, torqued it down in the slant and took three pass. The first two going WTG & ATG using the coarse toothed/aggressive side of the DE. Third pass and clean up fiddling I used the fine toothed/milder side. Results show DFS or better all over with an improvement in reduction of the usual hard to get lower neck stubble. A splash of Proraso's straight up sandalwood blended well with the lemon, pineapple & lavender sandalwood of the soap.
Good Shaves Y'all!

Norcalnewb · Mar 7, 2019

ordinaryshaver said: ↑

Been using the vintage adjustables these last couple of weeks for week day shaves.
Using the Slim this week.
Figured I'd try this Barbasol cream, and much to my surprise I was shocked by how much the menthol kicked in! The caffeine I believe is a gimmick but what the heck!
View attachment 188580
Click to expand...

Nice shave, Aaron!

Norcalnewb · Mar 7, 2019

Screwtape said: ↑

Wednesday evening March 6 - going for a Rule

View attachment 188581
Delta Echo refurbished Gillette Fatboy on 4 / Rapira Swedish Supersteel (3)
Simpsons CH2 Chubby Synthetic Bristles brush
MWF/Kent in beechwood tub
Alum and Polar Ice Booster splash

I soused, bloomed or otherwise soaked my shriveled puck of The Fat yesterday mostly to set up a joke in my shave report. However, the lather was so much better than what I got the previous day off the dried out puck that I am now wondering if using The Fat regularly so that the puck stays hydrated is a key to a great shave with this soap. So I have decided to keep using it for the rest of the month. In which case, I might as well stick with the rest of the gear too and declare a Rule... I haven't done one for a couple years anyhow, so it might be time to do so and concentrate on a technique refresher.

Today got it off to a good start. Great lather from the still-moist puck; top class brush action from the super-dense Chubby; easy DFS in two passes with the razor and blade. And I am finding that I quite like the skin feel of the Polar Ice Booster. Just a good shave for Day 3 with this gear.

Hope everyone is doing well as we coast over the Hump of the week. And Jason, hope you feel better soon. Same for Terry with your shoulder. And I am still praying for those who asked for it in the last few days.
Click to expand...

Great razor, John! I really like the DE jobs on Fatboys.

Primotenore · Mar 7, 2019

NCoxSTL said: ↑

March Madness!!

March 6

Razor - 1920's Gillette Travel Razor, Stirling Silver by William B. Kerr & Co.
Blade - (3)
Soap - Truefitt & Hill 1805
Brush - Stirling 24mm Badger fan knot
Post - Alum

Final shave for now with the Gillette Travel Razor and Bic CP blade. I'll start with thoughts on the blade on day three. As usual, the Bic blade performed perfectly. I remember a couple of years ago I was emptying out a small blade bank into my main disposal bucket and counted each of the blades by brand. Of course, the number one blade was Voskhod. Surprisingly, the number two blade was the Bic CP. Well, surprising only because everyone figured it would be another Russian. I've stopped going to the Bic as often but this three days has reminded me that I should keep some around, just to have another fantastic option should I decide I want to change up for a bit. My thoughts on this razor. What a cool little razor this one is. I'm going to dig into the serial numbers on the baseplate just to try and learn more about it, but this is a very functional, if very different to hold, little razor that shaves just like any good vintage Gillette. I'm glad I overpaid to acquire this one. Being an unusual piece it was more than worth the money in any case.

Now, to the soap. T&H 1805. It has received many negative, and strongly negative, reviews. I've used it before with some success. Last night - it lived up to its terrible reviews. So, let's give it a shot to redeem itself. Two comments were made. Joseph @Primotenore suggested a 1/4 to 3/4 ratio hot water soak prior to shaving. I'm pretty sure he is really suggesting "blooming" the soap. Ok, I don't use the term but I do "soak" a few soaps, and this one got basically that treatment since last night. There was reason for hope according to Andrew @Linuxguile because, yes, it isn't Marvy. There has to be some hope. I went to the Stirling badger given its density and thought that might give me an edge as well. So how did it go?

I shook the badger mostly dry before hitting the wet puck for the load. And, I loaded for probably twice as long as usual. The brush seemed fully ready to go. Wet my face, and started the face lather. After a fairly short time it looked like I had good coverage. So, on to the first pass. I made it through the entire shave without the lather completely dissipating. Definitely better than last night but not impressive. Maybe that's as good as it gets. I rinsed my face and went back for another face lather. Looked good again until I picked up the razor and I noticed a big round spot on my left cheek with absolutely no lather. Clearly the brush pulled all the lather off my face. I looked at the brush, saw plenty of lather in it, so I changed from lathering to painting on my face. NOW things started improve. Greatly. By painting on the lather I got not only solid coverage over my entire face but I also got some cushion and the slickness was at least 50% improved. Second pass was quite comfortable, slick, and ended with a near-BBS. The soap lasted without any problems during that pass. Nice.

Now my mind started to wonder. Maybe face lathering isn't the way to use this soap. So, without loading it any further, I grabbed one of my VDH green bowls and started to work up a bowl lather. I added a little water, worked it, got it going, added a bit more water and - BANG - a bowl full of quite nice looking and feeling lather. I swirled it up on the brush and painted my hand. Great cushion, coverage, feel, all the right ingredients including slickness. I stood there looking at my hand for a good five minutes and barely any had dissipated. Now we're definitely talking.

Obviously this is a soap that can be very nice and useful. My recommendation - get the puck super wet, keep the brush mostly dry and load up. Then bowl lather and paint your face with it. I'm a happy camper. Have a great Thursday night and a better Friday!

View attachment 188582
Click to expand...

Actually I was not suggesting blooming. Not in the least. I was referring to a process I first learned right here on TSD by @GDCarrington in his thread "Vintage Williams Project". https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/the-vintage-williams-project.45842/

Primotenore · Mar 7, 2019

Screwtape said: ↑

I am now wondering if using The Fat regularly so that the puck stays hydrated is a key to a great shave with this soap.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, John.

Terry · Mar 7, 2019

brit said: ↑

may try an old type /single ring focus next month..my old type is a nickel 20s to 30s example..thicker cap etc..same as my new improved. all designed to be used with the thicker 3 hole blades..
Click to expand...

Sounds great!
Go for it Gary!
tp

Terry · Mar 7, 2019

NCoxSTL said: ↑

Get that replated back to a bright nickel finish and you'd have a definite heirloom!
Click to expand...

Thanks Neal (SWEATER GUY)
It's silver, but that's ok.
tp

Terry · Mar 7, 2019

Good Thursday morning.
Inspiration from @brit (Gary), another Gilette from the past. A 1920 single ring with a Feather ( new of course ) gives another perfect shave for the week.
There ya go, did a two pass for the sake of it. This is smoooooooth and clean!

I can only hope that it continues.
Thank you Gary!

Enjoy
tp

wristwatchb · Mar 7, 2019

Edison Carter said: ↑

It is your gracious thought that counts here, but there are just some excentricites that are beyond the scope of even the most astute professionals.
Click to expand...

PLAla · Mar 7, 2019

SOTD March 7, 2019

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: vintage Gillette Platinum Plus
Razor: Schick M1 Adjustable
Brush: Stirling Kong synthetic
Soap: Country Club for Men Cahaba Blues
Post: Witch hazel, Jeeves of Hudson Street Tobacco Bay Leaf aftershave

Operation SinkIt continues with the Cahaba Blues. I'll use it two or three times a week to finish it off. Wonderful scent and performance. The Schick M1 did its job beautifully and all came together quite well. The Jeeves Tobacco Bay Leaf scent could be my daily driver if I ever whittled down to one aftershave, but as we know that ain't gonna happen anytime soon.

Have a great day!

PLAla · Mar 7, 2019

RyX said: ↑

March Madness?

Truefitt & Hill Sandalwood SS
B-400 By @twhite, WD HM badger
Suribachi bowl, cool water
Lutz Slant DE, Gillette Silver Blue
Proraso Sandalwood AS
View attachment 188591 After seeing Neal @NCoxSTL struggling to get a passable lather from his T&H soap, I decided to give mine a shot. Purchased from the same shop, by the same traveler, and smuggled into The States by the same Agent, though the ingredients vary somewhat. Last time I used this puck it was coarsely grated and pressed into a SS Grundtal dish. Having settled well it loaded easily enough with a fairly coarse and scritchy badger brush. Bowl lathering produced a fine lather that, though not as dense as ArBac, gave plenty of glide and didn't dissipate. The residual slickness is on par with several of my favorite soaps and well above merely adequate. I swiped the GSB blade from the Gillette #195, torqued it down in the slant and took three pass. The first two going WTG & ATG using the coarse toothed/aggressive side of the DE. Third pass and clean up fiddling I used the fine toothed/milder side. Results show DFS or better all over with an improvement in reduction of the usual hard to get lower neck stubble. A splash of Proraso's straight up sandalwood blended well with the lemon, pineapple & lavender sandalwood of the soap.
Good Shaves Y'all!
Click to expand...

Nice shave and photo, Rick! I really like the Grundtal containers. Got a set of three the last time we went to IKEA in Atlanta and I use them a lot.

Terry said: ↑

Good Thursday morning.
Inspiration from @brit (Gary), another Gilette from the past. A 1920 single ring with a Feather ( new of course ) gives another perfect shave for the week.
There ya go, did a two pass for the sake of it. This is smoooooooth and clean!
View attachment 188594
I can only hope that it continues.
Thank you Gary!

Enjoy
tp
Click to expand...

Great shave, Terry!

PLAla · Mar 7, 2019

ordinaryshaver said: ↑

Been using the vintage adjustables these last couple of weeks for week day shaves.
Using the Slim this week.
Figured I'd try this Barbasol cream, and much to my surprise I was shocked by how much the menthol kicked in! The caffeine I believe is a gimmick but what the heck!
View attachment 188580
Click to expand...

Great shave, Aaron!

Screwtape said: ↑

Wednesday evening March 6 - going for a Rule

View attachment 188581
Delta Echo refurbished Gillette Fatboy on 4 / Rapira Swedish Supersteel (3)
Simpsons CH2 Chubby Synthetic Bristles brush
MWF/Kent in beechwood tub
Alum and Polar Ice Booster splash

I soused, bloomed or otherwise soaked my shriveled puck of The Fat yesterday mostly to set up a joke in my shave report. However, the lather was so much better than what I got the previous day off the dried out puck that I am now wondering if using The Fat regularly so that the puck stays hydrated is a key to a great shave with this soap. So I have decided to keep using it for the rest of the month. In which case, I might as well stick with the rest of the gear too and declare a Rule... I haven't done one for a couple years anyhow, so it might be time to do so and concentrate on a technique refresher.

Today got it off to a good start. Great lather from the still-moist puck; top class brush action from the super-dense Chubby; easy DFS in two passes with the razor and blade. And I am finding that I quite like the skin feel of the Polar Ice Booster. Just a good shave for Day 3 with this gear.

Hope everyone is doing well as we coast over the Hump of the week. And Jason, hope you feel better soon. Same for Terry with your shoulder. And I am still praying for those who asked for it in the last few days.
Click to expand...

Ah, The Fat! Wonderful choice for a rule. Nice shave, John!

NCoxSTL said: ↑

March Madness!!

March 6

Razor - 1920's Gillette Travel Razor, Stirling Silver by William B. Kerr & Co.
Blade - (3)
Soap - Truefitt & Hill 1805
Brush - Stirling 24mm Badger fan knot
Post - Alum

Final shave for now with the Gillette Travel Razor and Bic CP blade. I'll start with thoughts on the blade on day three. As usual, the Bic blade performed perfectly. I remember a couple of years ago I was emptying out a small blade bank into my main disposal bucket and counted each of the blades by brand. Of course, the number one blade was Voskhod. Surprisingly, the number two blade was the Bic CP. Well, surprising only because everyone figured it would be another Russian. I've stopped going to the Bic as often but this three days has reminded me that I should keep some around, just to have another fantastic option should I decide I want to change up for a bit. My thoughts on this razor. What a cool little razor this one is. I'm going to dig into the serial numbers on the baseplate just to try and learn more about it, but this is a very functional, if very different to hold, little razor that shaves just like any good vintage Gillette. I'm glad I overpaid to acquire this one. Being an unusual piece it was more than worth the money in any case.

Now, to the soap. T&H 1805. It has received many negative, and strongly negative, reviews. I've used it before with some success. Last night - it lived up to its terrible reviews. So, let's give it a shot to redeem itself. Two comments were made. Joseph @Primotenore suggested a 1/4 to 3/4 ratio hot water soak prior to shaving. I'm pretty sure he is really suggesting "blooming" the soap. Ok, I don't use the term but I do "soak" a few soaps, and this one got basically that treatment since last night. There was reason for hope according to Andrew @Linuxguile because, yes, it isn't Marvy. There has to be some hope. I went to the Stirling badger given its density and thought that might give me an edge as well. So how did it go?

I shook the badger mostly dry before hitting the wet puck for the load. And, I loaded for probably twice as long as usual. The brush seemed fully ready to go. Wet my face, and started the face lather. After a fairly short time it looked like I had good coverage. So, on to the first pass. I made it through the entire shave without the lather completely dissipating. Definitely better than last night but not impressive. Maybe that's as good as it gets. I rinsed my face and went back for another face lather. Looked good again until I picked up the razor and I noticed a big round spot on my left cheek with absolutely no lather. Clearly the brush pulled all the lather off my face. I looked at the brush, saw plenty of lather in it, so I changed from lathering to painting on my face. NOW things started improve. Greatly. By painting on the lather I got not only solid coverage over my entire face but I also got some cushion and the slickness was at least 50% improved. Second pass was quite comfortable, slick, and ended with a near-BBS. The soap lasted without any problems during that pass. Nice.

Now my mind started to wonder. Maybe face lathering isn't the way to use this soap. So, without loading it any further, I grabbed one of my VDH green bowls and started to work up a bowl lather. I added a little water, worked it, got it going, added a bit more water and - BANG - a bowl full of quite nice looking and feeling lather. I swirled it up on the brush and painted my hand. Great cushion, coverage, feel, all the right ingredients including slickness. I stood there looking at my hand for a good five minutes and barely any had dissipated. Now we're definitely talking.

Obviously this is a soap that can be very nice and useful. My recommendation - get the puck super wet, keep the brush mostly dry and load up. Then bowl lather and paint your face with it. I'm a happy camper. Have a great Thursday night and a better Friday!

View attachment 188582
Click to expand...

Excellent shave, Neal!

Keithmax said: ↑

Thursday Shave:

View attachment 188584

Back home and back to my routine. On the trip my saves were below par so I was glad to bounce back with an epic shave. The big Koraat bellied double hollow was a pleasure to shave with....

Irritation A+ Closeness A+ Smoothness A+ Sharpness A+

Razor: Koraat 14 2.0 double bellied hollow
Strop: Roo
Brush: Handle by Jason, Omega Pro knot
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Crowne and Crane
AS: Enhanced Florida Water AS, L’Ocittane ASB
Scent: Chanel Antaeus
View attachment 188585
Click to expand...

Wonderful photo and shave, Keith! Hope your trip overall was fun.

clint64 · Mar 7, 2019

Paul76 said: ↑

Last nights shave

John C Cockhill 3/4 rattler grind
Jayaruh 117
Stirling the lounge
Myrsol Don Miguel 1919

I had just honed this razor and it did not disappoint with how effortlessly it shaved. Had three passes that resulted in a smooth irritation free bbs. Now for the bad news, during the first pass I was rinsing the blade off I heard a small pop, I took out my loupe and saw a small crack near the toe. At the moment it’s not affecting how it shaves but I think in the near future I will have to reshape it to remove the crack. View attachment 188561
Click to expand...

Excellent photo Paul. I hope the razor is easily repaired.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hembree · Mar 7, 2019

3.6.19
Awesome shave this morning. Y'all have a great day!

wristwatchb · Mar 7, 2019

March 7

Parker SRX
Lord Super Stainless (1)
Simpson Chubby 2 Super
C.O. Bigelow
Alum, Thayers WH, USB, Pinaud Clubman & Aramis
55th focus shave

This is my planned morning shave. I'm counting on the kung fu to kick in for another great result. My bride has an early morning PT appointment (she's doing much better), and hopefully we'll do something fun this afternoon.

Have a great day, my friends!

Douglas Carey · Mar 7, 2019

Paul76 said: ↑

Last nights shave

John C Cockhill 3/4 rattler grind
Jayaruh 117
Stirling the lounge
Myrsol Don Miguel 1919

I had just honed this razor and it did not disappoint with how effortlessly it shaved. Had three passes that resulted in a smooth irritation free bbs. Now for the bad news, during the first pass I was rinsing the blade off I heard a small pop, I took out my loupe and saw a small crack near the toe. At the moment it’s not affecting how it shaves but I think in the near future I will have to reshape it to remove the crack. View attachment 188561
Click to expand...

Excellent picture Paul. How do you like that aftershave?

clint64 · Mar 7, 2019

ordinaryshaver said: ↑

Been using the vintage adjustables these last couple of weeks for week day shaves.
Using the Slim this week.
Figured I'd try this Barbasol cream, and much to my surprise I was shocked by how much the menthol kicked in! The caffeine I believe is a gimmick but what the heck!
View attachment 188580
Click to expand...

Grew shave

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Killerflyingbugs · Mar 7, 2019

Tried a little left hand shave today just to see how it would go. Cheeks are no problem, under neck will require a bit more practice. One weeper and a little burn from the alum on my neck.
Gillette flare tip
Perfecto brush
Parker blade
Sterling bay rum/electric sheep mix (a little es left in the bottom of my bowl) the lemon grass went well with the bay rum.
Alum and post shave balm.
So far my focus is on track.

Sent from my LGMS550 using Tapatalk

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March 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

What Madness is March bringing to your shave?

I'm going to use gear I rarely or never use for the month.

I'm going to do a Rule.

It's Focus time!

Soap Madness for me....gotta make room for more!

I'm going to eat cookies AND donuts for breakfast.

I'm going to shave completely in the dark....oh wait....that's MAYhem.

Edison Carter Well-Known Member

brit in a box

RyX DoH!

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Primotenore missed opera tunity

Primotenore missed opera tunity

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

clint64 Blind Squirrel

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

Douglas Carey Wildman

clint64 Blind Squirrel

Killerflyingbugs Well-Known Member

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March 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

What Madness is March bringing to your shave?

I'm going to use gear I rarely or never use for the month.

I'm going to do a Rule.

It's Focus time!

Soap Madness for me....gotta make room for more!

I'm going to eat cookies AND donuts for breakfast.

I'm going to shave completely in the dark....oh wait....that's MAYhem.

Edison Carter Well-Known Member

brit in a box

RyX DoH!

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Primotenore missed opera tunity

Primotenore missed opera tunity

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

clint64 Blind Squirrel

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

Douglas Carey Wildman

clint64 Blind Squirrel

Killerflyingbugs Well-Known Member

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