March 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

wristwatchb · Mar 30, 2019

Hembree said: ↑

Williams is like the Rockwell 6s, dependable and just gets the job done.
Click to expand...

jluc · Mar 30, 2019

NCoxSTL said: ↑

March Madness!!

March 29 - The Eye of the Tiger

Razor - Parker SRX Shavette
Blade - View attachment 190589 (1)
Soap - Jeeves of Hudson Street Blood on Steel 30DC LE
Brush - Stirling 24mm Finest Badger
Post - Alum

Are you ready to RUMMMMMBBBBBLLLLLEEEE!!!!! It's Tiger shave night and it's all to acid-test a theory. As more of us have tried and even shifted to full time use of shavettes, there has been a growing awareness that DE blades that we might otherwise avoid become quite effective when used in a shavette. The reason? Most likely the fact that the blade is "unlocked" from the forced angle of the DE razor and therefore free to be adapted through technique to provide the optimal result. Blades that might otherwise seem dull and draggy suddenly become quite efficient tools to shave with. Even the Zorrik, which I used earlier this month, was improved considerably over three passes when in a shavette as opposed to a DE. So how far does this apply when considering "bad blades"? Well, one of the absolute worst is on trial tonight. The Tiger. It's a carbon blade, old style three hole, and it was a son of a gun to get snapped in half. But snap it in half I did. This is the blade that has never, in the history of the 30DC, given anything other than an absolutely horrid result. Can the shavette tame the Tiger?

Well, to give it its best shot I figured I'd use the soap that seems most appropriate for this shave anyway. Blood on Steel. Now, I've never cut myself with a Tiger, but who knows, right? Besides, the Jeeves soap is slick and very protective. I need all of that I can get just to avoid the potential irritation load. The Stirling badger brush made easy work of loading and lathering so no worries there. I chose the Parker shavette just because. I thought about the Luxor Pro, but I'm really not concerned about the corners of the Tiger. Besides, with this blade design the corners aren't as wicked as most.

So, lather done, and here we go. I grabbed the usual starting angle, stretched the skin as tight as I could get it and prepared to feel yanking, tugging, and all around misery. Only......I didn't. I can't say it was smooth, but it wasn't "Tiger rough" that I've always felt before. Ok, this is promising. A slight chuckle because I didn't expect to say anything positive and onward I went. I completed the right side and while I won't say it was a smooth shave it was far from horrible. On to the left I go. Finished that first pass on the left side with the same result. Yeah it's dragging, and yes I've had smoother, but I managed to finish a pass without wishing for death. That's an improvement.

Are you amazed yet? Surprised? Feel like the theory is vindicated? Well hold on for just a few more seconds. While the pass wasn't terribly uncomfortable it was also - shall we say - a waste of effort. Seriously, when I rinsed to lather again it felt like nothing on my face had changed from the start. Had I even reduced the beard at all? Hmmmmmmmm. I went for the second pass turning XTG. Still not smooth but not horrible, but I began to pay close attention to the lather as it came off of my face on the razor. Not one shred of evidence that there was any stubble removed. None. I even finished my right side neck without rinsing the blade, then scooped the lather off the razor to search for signs of beard stubble. Nothing. Well, maybe one or two specks, but that was it. And after half of an XTG pass I still couldn't feel any reduction. This dog isn't cutting the beard. Apparently it's just bending it over and moving on. So, enough of that. I grabbed my '47 Superspeed with a Sharp Star in it and did a quick two pass finish that netted a near-BBS along with one nick (talk about irony) from a bad setdown near my right ear.

So........it's more comfortable to use a Tiger with a shavette - but it's totally useless. Wow. I didn't really expect that result, but there you go. Now, I will say that I did see some signs of cutting, albeit few and far between, but to succeed in shaving with this blade in a shavette you'd need at least 8 hours by my estimate. And I'm pretty sure you'd only succeed by friction eventually wearing the beard away. Yep. The Tiger is the Tiger. It's a defective blade and not even a shavette can turn it into a useful object. Technique Trumps Tools! Unless the tools are defective!

Hope you have a great Saturday and a fantastic weekend! Two more days at work for me!

View attachment 190591
Click to expand...

Great report, Neil!

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

jluc · Mar 30, 2019

RyX said: ↑

March - all Focus out the window

Stirling Glastonbury SS
Surrey/VdH boar brush
Suribachi bowl, cool water
'59 Fat Boy, Gillette Silver Blue
Stirling Glastonbury AS
View attachment 190592 I'm the happiest Hippy on my block tonight. Didn't wait to finish the sample of soap in the Old Spice mug. Using a shedding old boar on the dry new puck I loaded well, and generated one of those glossy butter cream lathers that ought to be photographed. Instead I went straight on to applying it to my stubble. Moved the slightly used GSB to the Fat Boy, set it to MAX, and after two passes could have been done. Too much lather still in the bowl? OK, I'll take another pass, and enough touch ups to not leave any vacation on my face. One nick on that horizontal crease between bottom lip and chin that self sealed. A splash of the AS gave what scents just a bit piney compared to the soap. Still good stuff.
Good Shaves Y'all!
Click to expand...

Wonderful picture and shave, Rick!

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

wchnu · Mar 30, 2019

wristwatchb said: ↑

A couple of bricks got throwed too.
Click to expand...

Not as many as should have been.... I have been busy with work and all.

jluc · Mar 30, 2019

wristwatchb said: ↑

It only goes to show that you don't have Karve AD!
Click to expand...

@clint64 now has Karve OCD.

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

BaylorGator · Mar 30, 2019

RyX said: ↑

Since I'm posting at 11:43 PM Central but reading nine hours ago history, I'm doing vignettes rather than a novella.
Click to expand...

I would love it if your next post could be in the form of a Tele-novella, Rick.

Keithmax said: ↑

My first big razor, Hart Steel 7/8

View attachment 190598
Click to expand...

I have gear envy every time you post, Keith.

wristwatchb said: ↑

John, I'm takin' you with me next time I go to Starbucks. I can never figure out which word for coffee size on the menu means "gimme the biggest one ya got." One has to question this marketing strategy in my neck of the woods. Pass the jug, please.
Click to expand...

No matter how fancy my pants may be, I refuse to have to learn another language to order coffee. I unapologetically order a large, and let them figure it out for themselves.

clint64 · Mar 30, 2019

Trigger said: ↑

Great shave, Clint!
Click to expand...

Thank you Joe.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

John Ruschmeyer · Mar 30, 2019

NCoxSTL said: ↑

March Madness!!

March 29 - The Eye of the Tiger

Razor - Parker SRX Shavette
Blade - View attachment 190589 (1)
Soap - Jeeves of Hudson Street Blood on Steel 30DC LE
Brush - Stirling 24mm Finest Badger
Post - Alum

Are you ready to RUMMMMMBBBBBLLLLLEEEE!!!!! It's Tiger shave night and it's all to acid-test a theory. As more of us have tried and even shifted to full time use of shavettes, there has been a growing awareness that DE blades that we might otherwise avoid become quite effective when used in a shavette. The reason? Most likely the fact that the blade is "unlocked" from the forced angle of the DE razor and therefore free to be adapted through technique to provide the optimal result. Blades that might otherwise seem dull and draggy suddenly become quite efficient tools to shave with. Even the Zorrik, which I used earlier this month, was improved considerably over three passes when in a shavette as opposed to a DE. So how far does this apply when considering "bad blades"? Well, one of the absolute worst is on trial tonight. The Tiger. It's a carbon blade, old style three hole, and it was a son of a gun to get snapped in half. But snap it in half I did. This is the blade that has never, in the history of the 30DC, given anything other than an absolutely horrid result. Can the shavette tame the Tiger?

Well, to give it its best shot I figured I'd use the soap that seems most appropriate for this shave anyway. Blood on Steel. Now, I've never cut myself with a Tiger, but who knows, right? Besides, the Jeeves soap is slick and very protective. I need all of that I can get just to avoid the potential irritation load. The Stirling badger brush made easy work of loading and lathering so no worries there. I chose the Parker shavette just because. I thought about the Luxor Pro, but I'm really not concerned about the corners of the Tiger. Besides, with this blade design the corners aren't as wicked as most.

So, lather done, and here we go. I grabbed the usual starting angle, stretched the skin as tight as I could get it and prepared to feel yanking, tugging, and all around misery. Only......I didn't. I can't say it was smooth, but it wasn't "Tiger rough" that I've always felt before. Ok, this is promising. A slight chuckle because I didn't expect to say anything positive and onward I went. I completed the right side and while I won't say it was a smooth shave it was far from horrible. On to the left I go. Finished that first pass on the left side with the same result. Yeah it's dragging, and yes I've had smoother, but I managed to finish a pass without wishing for death. That's an improvement.

Are you amazed yet? Surprised? Feel like the theory is vindicated? Well hold on for just a few more seconds. While the pass wasn't terribly uncomfortable it was also - shall we say - a waste of effort. Seriously, when I rinsed to lather again it felt like nothing on my face had changed from the start. Had I even reduced the beard at all? Hmmmmmmmm. I went for the second pass turning XTG. Still not smooth but not horrible, but I began to pay close attention to the lather as it came off of my face on the razor. Not one shred of evidence that there was any stubble removed. None. I even finished my right side neck without rinsing the blade, then scooped the lather off the razor to search for signs of beard stubble. Nothing. Well, maybe one or two specks, but that was it. And after half of an XTG pass I still couldn't feel any reduction. This dog isn't cutting the beard. Apparently it's just bending it over and moving on. So, enough of that. I grabbed my '47 Superspeed with a Sharp Star in it and did a quick two pass finish that netted a near-BBS along with one nick (talk about irony) from a bad setdown near my right ear.

So........it's more comfortable to use a Tiger with a shavette - but it's totally useless. Wow. I didn't really expect that result, but there you go. Now, I will say that I did see some signs of cutting, albeit few and far between, but to succeed in shaving with this blade in a shavette you'd need at least 8 hours by my estimate. And I'm pretty sure you'd only succeed by friction eventually wearing the beard away. Yep. The Tiger is the Tiger. It's a defective blade and not even a shavette can turn it into a useful object. Technique Trumps Tools! Unless the tools are defective!

Hope you have a great Saturday and a fantastic weekend! Two more days at work for me!

View attachment 190591
Click to expand...

As I recall, one of us figured out that the Tiger was made of a grade of steel that just would not hold an edge for any usable period of time. Also, I seem to recall reading over on B&B that someone had reached out to CzechBlades and confirmed that the primary market for Tiger blades is African seamstresses.

clint64 · Mar 30, 2019

RyX said: ↑

March - all Focus out the window

Stirling Glastonbury SS
Surrey/VdH boar brush
Suribachi bowl, cool water
'59 Fat Boy, Gillette Silver Blue
Stirling Glastonbury AS
View attachment 190592 I'm the happiest Hippy on my block tonight. Didn't wait to finish the sample of soap in the Old Spice mug. Using a shedding old boar on the dry new puck I loaded well, and generated one of those glossy butter cream lathers that ought to be photographed. Instead I went straight on to applying it to my stubble. Moved the slightly used GSB to the Fat Boy, set it to MAX, and after two passes could have been done. Too much lather still in the bowl? OK, I'll take another pass, and enough touch ups to not leave any vacation on my face. One nick on that horizontal crease between bottom lip and chin that self sealed. A splash of the AS gave what scents just a bit piney compared to the soap. Still good stuff.
Good Shaves Y'all!
Click to expand...

Great shave Rick.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

NCoxSTL · Mar 30, 2019

Keithmax said: ↑

I don't know why but I was expecting some blood, maybe some pulling. I wonder if they even hone those blades?
Click to expand...

I wasn't expecting blood, necessarily, but I did expect at least a little better result, but with lots of pulling and irritation. The blades have an edge on them so something like honing has occurred. Just nothing that makes it usable for shaving.

Trigger · Mar 30, 2019

RyX said: ↑

Thanks Joe!

Have you tried a shave with a Gillette Flare Tip? It's the inspiration / blueprint for the Weishi DE, but made of all brass with a thick nickle plating. If you can pick up a straight vintage for less than $20 in good or better condition you won't need to replace it.
Click to expand...

To be perfectly honest, I never thought about getting a Gillette Flare Tip because its aesthetics doesn't appeal to me. Also, I own 2 Fatboys and a Slim Adjustable that fulfill my Gillette needs. Ever since I started using straight razors, they will always be my primary shavers. I will only use safety razors to change things up, or if I need a quick clean shave.

Hembree · Mar 30, 2019

RyX said: ↑

Still good stuff.
Good Shaves Y'all!
Click to expand...

Primotenore · Mar 30, 2019

Trigger said: ↑

Joseph, you are going to get it. Great report, pic and shave!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Joe.

Hembree · Mar 30, 2019

jtface said: ↑

How smooth is the Rockwell? Is it as smooth and efficient as the Karve? These two seem to be the names that keep popping up these days!

Sent from my EML-L09 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The Rockwell is smooth and so is the Karve. I think the Karve edges the Rockwell slightly. The Karve to me seems to have more "soul" and the Rockwell is nice tool that just gets the job done. Both are great razors and will not disappoint.

blondblue · Mar 30, 2019

BaylorGator said: ↑

I would love it if your next post could be in the form of a Tele-novella, Rick.

I have gear envy every time you post, Keith.

No matter how fancy my pants may be, I refuse to have to learn another language to order coffee. I unapologetically order a large, and let them figure it out for themselves.
Click to expand...

You could start with French......."Café s'il vous plait".

jluc · Mar 30, 2019

March 30th
Razor: Gillette Fatboy E4 (9)
Blade: Astra SP (2)
Brush: Switchback/Omega boar
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: B&M Reserve Waves
Thayers Cucumber witch hazel
PAA Star Jelly unscented
AS: B&M Reserve Waves

Good morning!

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday's shave with the Fatboy wide open felt like it could be a face shredding monster without proper technique. It felt by far the most aggressive razor I've used. I haven't read any shave reports commenting on the aggressiveness of the Fatboy on 9. Must be me? Yeah it was. My quarter turn wasn't a quarter turn. I didn't have the blade properly locked down.

This morning's three pass with touch up was wonderfully smooth with near BBS result.

Have a great weekend!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Hembree · Mar 30, 2019

wristwatchb said: ↑

It only goes to show that you don't have Karve AD!
Click to expand...

That is why the Karve box has extra slots....built in enablers!

Hembree · Mar 30, 2019

wristwatchb said: ↑

John, I'm takin' you with me next time I go to Starbucks. I can never figure out which word for coffee size on the menu means "gimme the biggest one ya got." One has to question this marketing strategy in my neck of the woods. Pass the jug, please.
Click to expand...

Hembree · Mar 30, 2019

jluc said: ↑

March 30th
Razor: Gillette Fatboy E4 (9)
Blade: Astra SP (2)
Brush: Switchback/Omega boar
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: B&M Reserve Waves
Thayers Cucumber witch hazel
PAA Star Jelly unscented
AS: B&M Reserve Waves

Good morning!

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday's shave with the Fatboy wide open felt like it could be a face shredding monster without proper technique. It felt by far the most aggressive razor I've used. I haven't read any shave reports commenting on the aggressiveness of the Fatboy on 9. Must be me? Yeah it was. My quarter turn wasn't a quarter turn. I didn't have the blade properly locked down.

This morning's three pass with touch up was wonderfully smooth with near BBS result.

Have a great weekend!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Lock it down and turn it loose. Great shave!

jtface · Mar 30, 2019

Hembree said: ↑

The Rockwell is smooth and so is the Karve. I think the Karve edges the Rockwell slightly. The Karve to me seems to have more "soul" and the Rockwell is nice tool that just gets the job done. Both are great razors and will not disappoint.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your insights!

Sent from my EML-L09 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.

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

jluc smelling pretty

jluc smelling pretty

wchnu Duck Season!

jluc smelling pretty

BaylorGator MISTER Fancypants

clint64 Blind Squirrel

John Ruschmeyer Well-Known Member

clint64 Blind Squirrel

NCoxSTL AAACK!

Trigger Double Jedi Knight

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

Primotenore missed opera tunity

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

blondblue Well-Known Member

jluc smelling pretty

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

jtface Well-Known Member

Share This Page

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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.

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

jluc smelling pretty

jluc smelling pretty

wchnu Duck Season!

jluc smelling pretty

BaylorGator MISTER Fancypants

clint64 Blind Squirrel

John Ruschmeyer Well-Known Member

clint64 Blind Squirrel

NCoxSTL AAACK!

Trigger Double Jedi Knight

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

Primotenore missed opera tunity

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

blondblue Well-Known Member

jluc smelling pretty

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

Hembree Not as pretty smelling

jtface Well-Known Member

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