March 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion

March 2nd
Menthol Monday

Razor: Shake Sharp
Blade: Gillette Wilkenson Sword
Brush: DS Cosmetics 28mm Tuxedo
PS: Striling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap
SS & AS: Stirling MITA

Finally got to use the Shake Sharp sent to me by Jeff @jgreenepa. Very smooth and efficient razor. I can see why people like them. The shave was certainly on the BBS side of close, but I did nick myself on my chin. Tried to go fast with a razor I'm not familiar with.

As always MITA is a fun soap. As I was finishing up, my wife said, "I smell Margaritas in the Arctic". It's one of her favorites too.

 

Now that's how you do it! I don't mind taking baby steps to get there--just so long as I eventually get there

The brush, btw, is amazing! I'd break it in the exact same way

 

Take care of what needs taking care of, Perry. Door's always open, and a place set for you at the table!

 

Ok, I am going to say it's your face and it's your shave. However, I have a different point of view and I am also saying that what works for me, may not work for you. From day one, I never blunted my DE blades for shavette shaving because I wanted to make sure that my technique was true. Blunting the blade gives a false sense of mastery because it forgives average to below average technique. I have shared my beginning shavette experience where at shave #16, I was comfortable shaving my head and that gave me the courage to try a traditional straight. Truth be told, outside of beakers and bunsen burners, I am a little klutzy so I was surprised that I did well for a novice from the start. Also, I have nerve damage on my left hand so I was worried about using it for this type of shaving. In fact, it helped that hand feel things a lot better. I share this to give you full disclosure on what you want to do. I am not telling you to disregard Andrew's advice because it is valid. If you do follow with his advice, then you might night progress as fast as you would otherwise. Nicking, cutting, etc is part of the process and it gives you visible proof that you are off on technique. If you keep your pressure light, then any cut, nick, etc will be minimized. I have over 140+ shavette shaves and I still get weeps, but they are so small because I use light pressure and for the sake of accountability I report it. Realistically, 90% of my weeps are laughingly so small that I really shouldn't report it, but that's how I fly. I supoort you Tim, whatever you decide!

 

I believe you did, Andrew. You have been exceptionally generous over the years, already. I hesitate to call on your generosity once again. I don't even think you need more of my brushes, you have a bunch already! I do have some boars that no one wants, though...

 

You'll get many years of lathering enjoyment from it Joe!

Forgot to mention...if you lose focus just set the razor down for a second to regroup your thoughts and continue on. You're doing great pal!

 

Don't order more splash yet, Patrick. I have a software lot that no one is asking about, you can probably just have what you want from it for the cost of shipping so I can clear it out, and I can add the rest of that splash to it. There is Booster and a few other of your faves in there too. In the Classified thread if you haven't seen it.

 

Amazing set up and report, Andrew. Don't remember if I said it before, but I love the look of that razor--classic and classy!

I've also been playing around with stretching, and side-stretching as well. At first I was afraid the hairs would lay down flat (and to an extent they do), but anything that will make the skin itself flat seems to be better than leaving it alone. Win that race! I'm the turtle that will get there a week after you

 

Patrick, awesome shave! I want to say don't sell yourself short regarding your straight/shavette shaving. You have enough experience and good shaves that it should always be the result.

 

Very nice Evan! Gee, sorry about the nick. I like the Shake Sharp but I didn't think you can nick yourself with it. I have used it a few times and it does give a BBS shave, but I found that I have to work at it because it isn't aggressive enough for me.

 

Very nice Patrick!

Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk

 

Thanks, Tim! She truly a joy to behold and seems like a great performer. I am going to use this brush for a number of consecutive shaves to really open her up.

 

Great shave Evan, Shake Sharps are nice, real nice!

Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk

 

Great shave and photo Patrick.

Wonderful picture and shave report Evan. I need to get me some MITA.

 

Wonderful progress, Andrew!

 

Thanks Patrick! Good brushes makes shaving fun!

 

Very nice Evan!

Thanks Joe! Your kind words mean alot to me !

 

I figured since I'm posting the same gear over and over and over, why not throw a curve every now and again to make it more interesting?

Today's tangent is a Conan the Barbarian action figure my brother-in-law got me as a gag gift fifteen years ago. He gave it to me to watch me pretend I liked it, then gave me the "real" gift. The irony, of course, is that the "real" gift has faded from memory and into obscurity--I have no idea what it was or if I ever even used it. Conan the Barbarian, however, has been on a shelf in our family room right next to the illuminated Burger King collectible Fellowship of the Ring goblet. So stupid, but the folk under this roof love us some stupid

And thank you, Jason

 

I will take a look now .