February 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

clint64 · Feb 6, 2020

Trigger said: ↑

Feb 6
Good morning, guys!
Shavette shave # 134
Dovo Shavette
Polsilver 1/2 DE blade (8)
Rockwell Synthetic Brush
Stirling Bay Rum SS and AS
Nivea ASB
I am off on this dreary Long Island morning so I slept a little longer and that's why I just finished my shave.
I like all my brushes, but my Rockwell synthetic really makes the nicest and most luxurious lathers in my collection, except for my C-mon. Today's lather was no exception. With only 2 passes, my Dovo shavette shaved my 41 hour growth w/o any blood or irritation for a IBSS++/BBS-. I thought I cut myself on the jawline so I hit the area with the styptic pencil. I did get a sting, but blood or any slash mark wasn't visible. Usually, I get a tell-tale sign of any skin rupture, but it was not the case in this instance. The blade was slightly tugging so I binned it after the shave. With 8 shaves on this blade, I don't need to go for number 9. I replaced the blade with a Personna headshaper to prepare for the next shave with this razor. Applied the nice smelling Bay Rum aftershave and then topped it with the Nivea. Make it a terrific Thursday guys! View attachment 217159 View attachment 217159
Click to expand...

Great photo and shave Joe. Enjoy the day off.

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clint64 · Feb 6, 2020

PLAla said: ↑

Shave Fu catch-up post. Wonderful shaves, pictures, and posts!
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Thank you Perry.

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timabababaluka · Feb 6, 2020

jtspartan said: ↑

February 6th
Barbasol Floating Head
Simpson CH2 Synthetic
B&M Seville
Thayers
CL Unconditional Surrender
View attachment 217146
Feb Fave combo #5. Things are starting to get harder with this fave thing. Staring at a lot of good soaps in the den whose brand hasn't been chosen yet. Went with the Seville, one of my early favourties in the still awesome Glissant base. The Floating Head has only been in the den for a few months, but it doesn't matter, it makes the list. I truly have nothing like it in my DE den. You have to be so attentive, but then you are so rewarded for being so. The brush is an easy call- the Simpson synthetic knot is an exceptional synthetic knot. I do wish it was in an Emperor or Polo handle but beggars can't be choosers. I couldn't have a favourites list without pulling at least one CL splash out as well.
I had a very nice 3 pass shave. A good lather with none of the finickyness of the Reserve base and a pleasant, familiar scent. The FH got my full attention- A little left on my upper neck has me just short of perfect. The CL US is simply one of my go to scents that seems to work with lots of different accords. Love it.
Have a great day all!
Click to expand...

Beautiful Shave, Jason! That's a phenomenal set up, photo and report

clint64 · Feb 6, 2020

timabababaluka said: ↑

Feb. 6: Hell Week Continues...
As I was looking at the spreadsheet for scores, I became pretty despondent: 5 shaves, and only two of them qualified for a score--the rest were "Dead Is Dead." Morale was low. I needed a win today. Badly. It did not help that my next razor down memory lane was the MMOC...

View attachment 217164

When I first started shaving with this razor I quickly discovered that it loves to bite, and if it wasn't biting, it was burning. Last month's 30DC was devoted to taming it, and it worked. Armed with my new skills, and Blair's @b1hart inspiring thoughts yesterday on "reverse pressure", I kept the shave light and blood-free. I'm 50/50 now--hardly a win, but I'll take what I can get.

Week 1 Gear

Blade: Gem SS (1)

Brush: Kong

Soap: Soap Commander "Drive"

AS: Clubman Original

Balm: Nivea Sensitive "Cooling"

View attachment 217166

The Shave
Light, light, light "reverse pressure" shaving WTG on the 1st pass knocked some stubble off, but not tons. No biggie. "I'm a shaving-for-comfort guy now," I kept telling myself. Might even get that tattooed right under my "Reverse Pressure" tattoos on my right and left forearms. Towards the end, I snagged the corner of my mouth, and it felt like I got bit. I thought some rather choice expletives, but prolonged scrutiny revealed no blood, so... no foul. Shave on, Johnny!

Pass 2 (XTG), went without a hitch. Not quite as close as I'm used to, but that's a good thing now. I find myself chanting "Reverse Pressure," like a Tibetan monk--my new mantra.

Pass 3 (ATG), goes similarly well. I know for a fact that the south pole of the goat-zone is going to be rough with no touch-ups allowed, but after this week, even if I allowed myself touch-ups, I'd probably forego them. Gotta log this a bloodless win--don't get greedy.

Scores
Comfort: light, but noticeable, irritation along the corners of my mouth and upper lip. Comfort score: 3
Closeness: BBS with scattered areas of DFS and CCS. I'm tempted to log this as DFS, but the south pole and parts of the jaw are particularly bothersome to me. I'm calling it a DFS/CCS--score: 2

Reflection
Something I've noticed. Ever since cutting menthol for this month's 30DC, gone are the 'irritation-free' shaves. I find that odd. It could be that the refreshing tingle I've been feeling throughout the day has actually been a numbed irritation. Years ago there was a song that profoundly said, "I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all." Lately I've been thinking about that phrase--it's incredibly... stupid. I want my menthol back!
Click to expand...

Great shave report Tim. Congrats on making it through the shave

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jluc · Feb 6, 2020

timabababaluka said: ↑

Feb. 6: Hell Week Continues...
As I was looking at the spreadsheet for scores, I became pretty despondent: 5 shaves, and only two of them qualified for a score--the rest were "Dead Is Dead." Morale was low. I needed a win today. Badly. It did not help that my next razor down memory lane was the MMOC...

View attachment 217164

When I first started shaving with this razor I quickly discovered that it loves to bite, and if it wasn't biting, it was burning. Last month's 30DC was devoted to taming it, and it worked. Armed with my new skills, and Blair's @b1hart inspiring thoughts yesterday on "reverse pressure", I kept the shave light and blood-free. I'm 50/50 now--hardly a win, but I'll take what I can get.

Week 1 Gear

Blade: Gem SS (1)

Brush: Kong

Soap: Soap Commander "Drive"

AS: Clubman Original

Balm: Nivea Sensitive "Cooling"

View attachment 217166

The Shave
Light, light, light "reverse pressure" shaving WTG on the 1st pass knocked some stubble off, but not tons. No biggie. "I'm a shaving-for-comfort guy now," I kept telling myself. Might even get that tattooed right under my "Reverse Pressure" tattoos on my right and left forearms. Towards the end, I snagged the corner of my mouth, and it felt like I got bit. I thought some rather choice expletives, but prolonged scrutiny revealed no blood, so... no foul. Shave on, Johnny!

Pass 2 (XTG), went without a hitch. Not quite as close as I'm used to, but that's a good thing now. I find myself chanting "Reverse Pressure," like a Tibetan monk--my new mantra.

Pass 3 (ATG), goes similarly well. I know for a fact that the south pole of the goat-zone is going to be rough with no touch-ups allowed, but after this week, even if I allowed myself touch-ups, I'd probably forego them. Gotta log this a bloodless win--don't get greedy.

Scores
Comfort: light, but noticeable, irritation along the corners of my mouth and upper lip. Comfort score: 3
Closeness: BBS with scattered areas of DFS and CCS. I'm tempted to log this as DFS, but the south pole and parts of the jaw are particularly bothersome to me. I'm calling it a DFS/CCS--score: 2

Reflection
Something I've noticed. Ever since cutting menthol for this month's 30DC, gone are the 'irritation-free' shaves. I find that odd. It could be that the refreshing tingle I've been feeling throughout the day has actually been a numbed irritation. Years ago there was a song that profoundly said, "I'd rather feel pain than nothing at all." Lately I've been thinking about that phrase--it's incredibly... stupid. I want my menthol back!
Click to expand...

Excellent shave report, Tim! Congrats on completing the shave!

clint64 · Feb 6, 2020

timabababaluka said: ↑

Super classy photo and shave, Clint. Nice to catch the baby without ensuing drama
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Thank you Tim. A drama free shave is the most important.

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timabababaluka · Feb 6, 2020

Norcalnewb said: ↑

Well, I am roughly 15 pages behind k. The thread, and I am not sure I will catch up. Here is my shave from yesterday along with today's shave.

View attachment 217148

February 5 SOTD:

Razor: Prime Med Prep
Brush: Razorock Plissoft
Lather: PAA Future Fiction
Aftershave: PAA Future Fiction

My hotel shave yesterday was with Future Fiction, as I have the shave stick of this soap, which works well with the travel. This is another wonderful scent, which they list as a summer scent. Personally, I would easily wear this all year. It opens with a bright citrus note, but there is a Musk present to it as well. Behind this is a little ginger scent layered with some Vetiver. The base of this scent is a soft amber with some slight woody notes, so the scent gets dryer as the day goes on. It is a wonderful scent.

View attachment 217149

February 6 SOTD:

Razor: Schick Krona
Blade: Polsilver
Brush: PAA The Solar Flare
Lather: PAA AGHARTA
Aftershave: PAA AGHARTA

Today, I pulled out AGHARTA, which I have for a while, but seems to get buried in my stash. I need to use to more, as it is a lovely scent. It has a wonderful powder note to it that is intermingled with vanilla. If you like vanilla, then you will likely like this scent. There is a very slight musky scent, and underneath everything, there is a hint of cedar and oakmoss. I definitely enjoy this scent. The soap was nice and slick and set up a great two pass DFS to get me going, which is a bit later than normal my plane got back to Houston a bit late last night. I hope everyone has been doing well.
Click to expand...

A two-fer! Sweet. Double dose of awesome photos and scent descriptions. The Future Fiction I've heard about, and it sounds fantastic. The AGHARTA, however, is a new one to me--sounds intriguing... the good kind.

As to catching up... live for today, says I

timabababaluka · Feb 6, 2020

Primotenore said: ↑

February Focus

C.O. Bigelow~~Simpson~~2011 Mühle R41/Polsilver~~Proraso
Back on the road for the final week. Good news is that my colleague has been diagnosed "Cancer Free".
It has been a privilege being able to teach his students and afford him the time he needed to recover.
Different hotel room, same hotel counter.
I am going to use the R41 today and tomorrow until I get home to get back to the MK32.
I commented on Jason's @jtspartan post, that his CH2 synthetic has a distinct bloom of the knot.
Mine is a second generation brush and what you see above is as "bloomy" as it ever gets.
It does eat soap, however
The vintage Polsilver tames the R41 ever so slightly.
Caution and concentration are mos def© the order of the day when wielding it.
Once again, the Proraso products excelled and left me smelling...

very good.
Dealing with the aftermath of some ice this morning.
Hope everyone has a great Thursday.
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Great shave, Joseph. Very glad to hear your colleague is healthy. Also glad to hear you're able to stay on top of the R41. Enjoy the rest of your day, and show that ice who's boss (you ).

timabababaluka · Feb 6, 2020

Boojum1 said: ↑

Thursday
February 6. 2020

Blackland Sabre L2
GEM PTFE
Heritage Collection Shaving C-Mon
Shannon's Soaps LTD Coconut Lime
Barrister and Mann Reserve Cool
BB Blue

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Whoah. That Sabre is nice! And I absolutely love B&M's Cool. Great shave

timabababaluka · Feb 6, 2020

PLAla said: ↑

SOTD February 6, 2020

Prep: Cold water and PAA Cube pre-shave soap
Blade: vintage Personna twin
Razor: eBarbershop Type O clone
Brush: Poculi synthetic
Soap: Stirling Blu
Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Blu aftershave

Stormy night with tornadoes and flooding. Schools are on a two-hour delay, which would normally mean some extra sleep in the morning, but we were up at various times with tornado warnings and then Wilson woke up early. Oh well. The shave was nice and easy. Thank you to @Screwtape for sending these Personna twins a few years ago. Everything came together quite well.

Enjoy your day!

View attachment 217109
Click to expand...

Wow, Perry. Those are the makings of a loooong night. Glad to hear that everything's okay out your way. Great looking shave--love that razor/brush combo!

timabababaluka · Feb 6, 2020

brit said: ↑

View attachment 217155
good morning gents,thursday shave.loaded the brit red rocket with a platinum, slick tfs crazy sandalwood lather built by the yaqi twilight badger brush.known to be slightly more efficient than its u.s cousin,ie more blade gap,i took my time and was rewarded with a 2+pass bbs .no drama,no pressure..fine santal absolut aftershave to cap it off.have a fine day everyone..
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Such a great looking shave and set up, Gary. Not normally the biggest fan of the color red, but you've somehow managed to make the sale

jluc · Feb 6, 2020

timabababaluka said: ↑

Wonderful shave, photo, and report, Jim. It's nice to see the origin of the "smelling pretty" CT make its way into the shave rotation
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Thanks, Tim!
Yeah, I said I left the house smelling pretty. Andrew @Linuxguile caught it and Rick @RyX quickly piled on. I had a CT by the end of that day.

PLAla · Feb 6, 2020

timabababaluka said: ↑

Wow, Perry. Those are the makings of a loooong night. Glad to hear that everything's okay out your way. Great looking shave--love that razor/brush combo!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Tim!

9nein9 · Feb 6, 2020

jgreenepa said: ↑

View attachment 217137 View attachment 217138
SOTD 02/06/20

After skipping yesterday’s shave, I realized why I need to shave every day. Here I was, needing to reduce 48 hrs of thick, dense whisker growth. Time to break out the big guns, one of my most efficient safety razors, the heralded LaResche 51 Luxe. LaResche made the 51 safety razor model from the 30’s through the 70’s when they ceased razor production. This particular razor dates from near the end of production and was NOS when I acquired it. I love the shave it delivers. The OC design is interesting with the two end bars slightly above the interior teeth. The blade is housed between the two end bars and sits slightly below and flat against the interior teeth. Riding the cap with this highly efficient design puts the blade right at the skin line.

My last shave two days ago was a very comfortable DFS. The MWF I’ve been and will continue using all month has had an incredibly positive impact on my skin which feels really well hydrated. My usual cold water prep was quite refreshing this morning. Lathering felt like a real workout with the new 316L Synthetic brush from Rearden Razor. Happily the handle inlet design provides for a firm grip on this heavy 26mm synthetic brush. Luke Webster, the owner of Classic Shaving, lauds the backbone of this brush. I like a brush with a firm backbone, and the brush does not disappoint on this score, although it is one honkin’ heavy tool. I realized that a drop to the floor would fracture tile and/or toes.

That first MWF lather supplemented by the PAA Cube Soap was thick, shiny and yogurty and stood the whiskers up for the first WTG pass. The 51 sheared through the whiskers like they weren’t there. The second ATG closed the deal all around on a complete BBS. The alum block revealed no heat anywhere. I was left with velveteen smoothness on both noggin and face which I attribute to my continued use of MWF. I could have easily gotten away without any AS, but this boy does like his menthol. The Snake Bite AS topped off a perfect shave! I feel clean, coool, smoooth, and refreshed.

RAZOR: LaResche 51 Luxe
BLADE: Wizamet Super Iridium
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with PAA’s Cube Preshave Soap
BRUSH: Rearden Razor 316L SS Synthetic
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Thayers Lavender WH and finished with Fine Accoutrements Snake Bite AS Splash
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Great report Jeff! That razor is a beaut!

9nein9 · Feb 6, 2020

Hembree said: ↑

Awesome shave this morning with the ATT @ R2 plate. I wish I could keep up but things have been real busy. I am still trying to get caught up at work. We got in from Pennsylvania Monday a week ago and that following Wednesday the guy I had rented mom and dad's house moved out unannounced owing money. So now I have an attorney involved. People just will not do right today. I cleaned up and shampooed a few of the brushes I got in Pennsylvania. Yaqi brush is for size comparison. The little Gillette is just too cute. Y'all take care.
View attachment 217142 View attachment 217143 View attachment 217144 View attachment 217145
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Awesome score Danny! Good luck on the house situation. Hope you catch up to rent jumper .

9nein9 · Feb 6, 2020

clint64 said: ↑

February 6, 2020
Rex Ambassador
Gillette 7 O’clock Black
Omega Evo Synthetic
Captain’s Choice Bay Rum
Shave Cream & Aftershave

I changed up a couple of things in my effort to master the Rex. I went with a 7 O'clock Black instead of a Feather and used the dial from 2.5 to 3. The shave was smooth, comfortable and drama free. After touching up my jawline and neck, I did catch the baby. While I am very happy my wife gave me the CC Bay shave cream, it is just meh and will not be on the buy again list. A splash of CC Bay Rum aftershave and I am off to fight the beltway into work. With the rain and storms this morning, the commute will likely be just awful. I hope everyone has a great Thursday.
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Good to hear you are dialing the Rex in Clint. I found the black to be one of the better blades I've used . I believe I may have even stated one time that I preferred them to the GSBs. Cant remember why but they made an impression on me for sure. With that being said, the GSBs leave me silky smooth also.

BaylorGator · Feb 6, 2020

Paul Turner said: ↑

Girls doing OK, Randy?
Click to expand...

Yes, Paul. Thanks for asking!

9nein9 · Feb 6, 2020

jluc said: ↑

February 6th
Razor: Gillette NEW LC
Blade: Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp Stainless (3)
Brush: Zenith Copper
Pre-shave: PAA The Cube
Soap: B&M LGC
PAA Galactic witch hazel
PAA unscented Star Jelly
AS: B&M LGC

Good morning

Terrific shave to start the day! Three passes for near BBS. Nearly silent alum.

Today's randomizer pairing, LGC and Zenith badger. For those that don't know LGC earned me my "smelling pretty" CT, and this morning I do smell pretty.

Extra heavy load in the Zenith. Face lathered for the first pass, rested the brush in the brush scuttle. Hot lather for pass two started off thin and airy but quickly came together as it cooled. Same for pass three. B&M Glissant works with boiling water from the kettle.

Have a great day!
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Hahahaha I remember that day when you smelled pretty Jim ! Good memories . These hot lather tests are interesting to read and fun to try also. Great report!

9nein9 · Feb 6, 2020

jtspartan said: ↑

February 6th
Barbasol Floating Head
Simpson CH2 Synthetic
B&M Seville
Thayers
CL Unconditional Surrender
View attachment 217146
Feb Fave combo #5. Things are starting to get harder with this fave thing. Staring at a lot of good soaps in the den whose brand hasn't been chosen yet. Went with the Seville, one of my early favourties in the still awesome Glissant base. The Floating Head has only been in the den for a few months, but it doesn't matter, it makes the list. I truly have nothing like it in my DE den. You have to be so attentive, but then you are so rewarded for being so. The brush is an easy call- the Simpson synthetic knot is an exceptional synthetic knot. I do wish it was in an Emperor or Polo handle but beggars can't be choosers. I couldn't have a favourites list without pulling at least one CL splash out as well.
I had a very nice 3 pass shave. A good lather with none of the finickyness of the Reserve base and a pleasant, familiar scent. The FH got my full attention- A little left on my upper neck has me just short of perfect. The CL US is simply one of my go to scents that seems to work with lots of different accords. Love it.
Have a great day all!
Click to expand...

Great choices there Jason! I have a feeling that a chunk of soap here that just arrived may be going on my favorite list . The scent is captivating and the suspense is killing me to try it. You get a ' hat trick ' on that pic btw , amazing!

9nein9 · Feb 6, 2020

Norcalnewb said: ↑

Well, I am roughly 15 pages behind k. The thread, and I am not sure I will catch up. Here is my shave from yesterday along with today's shave.

View attachment 217148

February 5 SOTD:

Razor: Prime Med Prep
Brush: Razorock Plissoft
Lather: PAA Future Fiction
Aftershave: PAA Future Fiction

My hotel shave yesterday was with Future Fiction, as I have the shave stick of this soap, which works well with the travel. This is another wonderful scent, which they list as a summer scent. Personally, I would easily wear this all year. It opens with a bright citrus note, but there is a Musk present to it as well. Behind this is a little ginger scent layered with some Vetiver. The base of this scent is a soft amber with some slight woody notes, so the scent gets dryer as the day goes on. It is a wonderful scent.

View attachment 217149

February 6 SOTD:

Razor: Schick Krona
Blade: Polsilver
Brush: PAA The Solar Flare
Lather: PAA AGHARTA
Aftershave: PAA AGHARTA

Today, I pulled out AGHARTA, which I have for a while, but seems to get buried in my stash. I need to use to more, as it is a lovely scent. It has a wonderful powder note to it that is intermingled with vanilla. If you like vanilla, then you will likely like this scent. There is a very slight musky scent, and underneath everything, there is a hint of cedar and oakmoss. I definitely enjoy this scent. The soap was nice and slick and set up a great two pass DFS to get me going, which is a bit later than normal my plane got back to Houston a bit late last night. I hope everyone has been doing well.
Click to expand...

Amazing detailed reports Jim! Love the pics and scent descriptions. Safe travels!

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February 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Name your favorite!

Straight razors.

Vintage DE razors.

Modern DE razors.

SE razors.

Pain sticks.

Badger brushes.

Boars

Synthetics

Cookies

Polls that don't take 10 minutes to fill out!!

clint64 Blind Squirrel

clint64 Blind Squirrel

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

clint64 Blind Squirrel

jluc smelling pretty

clint64 Blind Squirrel

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

jluc smelling pretty

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

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February 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Name your favorite!

Straight razors.

Vintage DE razors.

Modern DE razors.

SE razors.

Pain sticks.

Badger brushes.

Boars

Synthetics

Cookies

Polls that don't take 10 minutes to fill out!!

clint64 Blind Squirrel

clint64 Blind Squirrel

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

clint64 Blind Squirrel

jluc smelling pretty

clint64 Blind Squirrel

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

timabababaluka No exceptions. Except.....

jluc smelling pretty

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

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BaylorGator MISTER Fancypants

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