June 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

June 2
Good afternoon, everyone!
Today, I picked my first "winner out of the hat!" It is the Van der Hagen TTO non-adjustable. I am glad that this was my first pick because it's my least favorite razor. I put in a new Rockwell blade before I began the shave. I decided to lather with the VDH Luxury soap using my Rocky brush. I am spoiled by Stirling soaps because this lather was only ok. Did 2 passes, extra touchups than normal, a weeper on my chin and one on my lower neck and some irritation. However, the baby did arrive. Finished with witchhazel and then Aqua Velva Blue Ice. Wow! Did I feel the sting! As per my custom, I don't grade my safety shaves. However, I would say that the shave was a good one, but it wasn't a fun shave for me.
Have a great Sunday afternoon, guys!

 

The math works out.
tp

 

Good post, pic and shave, Joseph! The brush is outerworldly!

 

Disclaimer: I like the themes, but most days I am shaving in a rush for work and I have to grab the fastest setup and knock it out with no time for pics. So my participation in the themes ends up being days off when I have time for a themed setup and pics.

 

We do what we gotta do.

I get my gear out, take a pic, load a blade if needed the evening before.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

Great shave, Joseph! When I started out straight shaving, I did WTG, ATG and XTG passes. As you know, I only need 2 passes that are with and against the grain and touchups to get an excellent shave. I believe if your razor is sharp, then a 2 pass shave is all that is needed.

 

thank you Paul..

 

thank you Clint..

 

Sorry guys, but the Southern comedy is lost on me. Please forgive this Northern gentleman.

 

If you compare ANY gear to Keith @Keithmax - we're all just basic types. But that's ok. He still speaks to us and treats us as almost equals.

 

Veddy nice, Blair!

 

I'm running a few pages behind so pardon my post if it's already old news. I consider basic soaps to be Van der Hagen, Arko, Williams, Proraso, and probably include TOBS, MWF and Tabac in that list as well. I know some would argue against the MWF and Tabac - but they are old line soaps that have been around and work fantastically well. They are more expensive than, say, Arko, but that doesn't make them "elitist".

 

Clint, super shave, pic and post! Enjoy your day!

 

You do know that it normally takes 12 steps to solve those kind of problems? Or, is your 5 steps the following?

Step 1 - See soap
Step 2 - Say, no I won't buy this soap
Step 3 - Say, No, I mean it, not buying it.
Step 4 - Say, Well, it's just one after all.
Step 5 - Buy soap.

 

They also have more wrinkles.

 

Honestly Joe, my shave standards with a straight are not quite what they were with a DE, but I am ok with that. The daily with a straight (for me) does not get nearly as close. Every other day...it does. Problem is, I like to shave daily.

 

I agree with your assessment of the Wunderbar. I could easily make it my one and only razor. (Slap me - it's not vintage but I still say that)

 

Nice shave. If you use an apple and are interested, I have a randomizer that works great.
Here's a screenshot of what it is: