February 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I'm not really a Prairie guy, I suppose.

 

Very nice, Gary. I think I am about to be Gillette Adjustable-less myself pretty soon. Good afternoon, btw.

 

Wonderful, Jim. Never has The Veg looked so good...

 

I'd be interested in a side by side photo of that Shavemac with your Trafalgar, Clint. They look quite similar. Hope you did get that break in the rain.

 

I might have to dig out a Feather and try it out in 'Madame Barbasol', Jeff. I've run Nacets in it, and they are fairly sharp as well.

 

Sounds like a rough night, and not a very good shave to make up for it... Tomorrow will be better, my friend.

 

Sounds like a fine, relaxing shave during your days off, Joe. Love the look of that Heritage for sure.

 

I say it is time to ditch the Tsuka, Tim! Sorry about the red, as well.

 

I'll post a side by side photo. I am going to alternate using the Shavemac and Trafalgar.

 

Another stunner, Doug. Notice much of a difference, if any, between the Brass and SS Karves?

 

Awesome, Joseph! I think that Hive is a phenomenal looking handle.

 

Jason, I do too! However, I am having a brand new badger brush made by a TSD member that will give the C-Mon brush stiff competition in aesthetics and hopefully performance. It will take a few weeks for the brush to be made, but it will be worth it to me.

 

Glad to hear the new RR stuff is working out ok, Jim. Is that... a Jim pic with no filter?

 

My Dead Sea soap and aftershave came in today. I really like the scent based on my first impression. The lemon and rosemary are their off the puck. I rubbed some between my fingers and can pick up a little of the cannabis/green scent. The scent reminds me of a beach in a dry climate. It's hard to describe.

 

TGIF! Hope you and your family have a great weekend, Andrew.

 

Thank you for the kind words, Gentlemen.
Andrew, my right arm is quite stiff. I think I need to bend it repeatedly over the weekend to loosen it up.

 

February 21

SS Weber DE with Bulldog Handle
Voskhod (3)
30 Day Crew LE Poculi handle w/APShaveCo 28mm SynBad knot
Eufros Tierra Humeda (Wet Earth) soap
Alum, Thayers WH, USB/Almond Oil & Aramis EdT

I completed my approximately two-month focus with the Weber DE and my 30 DC LE brush today. I began using this gear at end of December, and I've enjoyed some of the most consistent and close shaves that I've ever experienced. This old dog learned some new tricks in the process. First of all, I conquered the learning curve using a brush with a synthetic knot. My synth knot lathers now rival lathers made using my boar and badger knots. Second, I developed the habit of stretching my skin with every stroke of the blade like my life depended on it. In doing so, this improved both the closeness and comfort of the shaves. Taking time to stretch my skin also helped me stay more focused and intentional. This habit, while good practice with DE shaving, becomes critical in avoiding blood loss during open blade shaving. Finally, I started to employ careful ATG buffing of my chin bulb and upper lip as well as some J-Hooking in the hollows of my lower neck. This brings me ever closer to a true BBS shave that seems to last well into the day.

I used Voskhod blades exclusively -- three shaves and out. I find them to be sufficiently sharp and incredibly smooth. It's my favorite overall DE blade. I continued to work on using up three soaps (Mike's Hungarian Lavender, Eufros Tierra Humeda, and Stirling BoS) as well as bottles of Floid Vigoroso and UOMO EdT. The EdT is finished, and I continue to make steady progress on using up the other products. I'd consider repurchasing any of these products, all top performers IMO, except for the EdT.




I always enjoy using my Weber DE, and I've also grown to love my 30 DC LE brush for both home and travel use. I'm ready for a change, and it is now time to move on. <@Paul Turner, please cue up Boston's Don't Look Back.> I'll continue using up those few targeted products. In addition, I plan to include some (stand up and remove your hat please) Tabac into the soap rotation.

I will join a few of my 30DC brothers in a shavette focus that officially begins on March 1st. I want to solidify my existing skills with open blade shaving and assist/cheer on others in their shavette pursuits. I'm getting a bit of a head start by beginning tomorrow morning. First up is my Parker SRX shavette loaded with a Voskhod half-blade (two shaves and out), and I may work in another shavette or two before @timabababaluka says, "Hit it, Helga." At least two of us (the manliest of men) have committed to a minimum of 100 open blade shaves. Helga should have plenty of time to complete her sabbatical in Siberia before we'll need her services. Tim drew the short straw, so he will work out the particulars with her as most of us are too afraid.

To make things a little more interesting, I'll be using a 1966 Gillette Travel Tech (which I've never used before) for the occasional DE shave and for touch-ups as the mood strikes. My primary razor, however, will be a shavette...the razor used by a Man's Man! I've also decided to start with my Simpson Chubby 2 Badger in Super. I plan to change up brushes as the mood strikes. So here's the set up beginning tomorrow:



I almost forgot. I'm a sucker for watch ads and photos. I'll include something with each of my posts because I wanna and just for (my) fun.



Thanks for sticking with me, holding your laughter until the end, and being ready to call 911 at a moment's notice. Let's get started.

 

TGIF!!!
That snack is looking pretty tasty!
Thanks for sharing, Andrew!

Congrats, Clint! Anxious to hear what you think of your new razor.

 

Thanks Jason! I think Declan might be coming down with a cold so I think this weekend might me spent trying to get him over it and keep it from spreading to the rest of the family.