April 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion

You're on!
Starting tomorrow? I'll use my EFBT! I'll use a few different blades. I'll start with the second use of this GSB, then Astra and then finish up with Feather! Unless you want to go same blades too and have some suggestions... I can post a pic of my current blade stock!

 

oh yes..my whole family is eastern england/dane origin..well back into the 18th century..

 

Shave number 5 with the same setup last night around 11:30pm after everyone went to sleep. I'm finding that these twilight shaves are becoming my favourite, very relaxing stress reliever for me even though I knicked myself twice in pretty much the same spot ( just below my jawline left side 2 inches from middle of chin) but I got the trusty styptic pencil on them super quick and it was like it never happened, except for the lovely little tickle that follows kinda makes ya feel alive though don't it?!?! I'm tweaking my 30 day challenge slightly though I'm going to go 30 shaves instead of 30 days because it's just easier for me to keep track that way. Anyway Happy Easter to everyone and happy shaving to all.

 

SOTD Monday, 04/13/2020

Day 2 of my time with the Brass TAR (Tom’s Adjustable Razor), and all I can say is wow! I’d always liked my Gibbs Adjustables despite the razor blade modification required. My only negative was how light they were requiring me to focus on both tremor control as well as technique. The issue was somewhat mitigated with my repaired Rex Ambassador. The additional weight helped somewhat, but the narrow sweet spot sometimes makes it difficult when doing the back of my dome.

The beauty of this razor is that it checks several boxes for me. First is that I rally like open comb razors, thus my affection for my French Le Coq Cage head and Famex razors. I love the open combs on both razors, but particularly like the slight adjustability of the Famex. The issue is that both razors are still relatively light. Second is the broader range of adjustability with the TAR, much wider than the Famex. After yesterday’s shave, I felt more confidant cranking the TAR up to 4 for today’s first pass on the face. I did readjust it to 3 for that first noggin pass.
But the final box is the beautiful 156 gram (rounded) weight, allowing me to fully concentrate on shave technique.

The shave itself was a pleasure. I used Evans’s (@MrEE) Badger/Boar hybrid brush. The knurling on the handle completely negates any handle slipperiness. It built a beautiful lather with one of my favorite mentholated cream soaps, Kapo, which is manufactured in Bulgaria. Since it already contains some slight mentholation, I only needed to add three drops of M-Bomb to get it to the appropriate level of iciness. With the TAR set on 4 it mowed down my whiskers on the first ATG pass to the skin line except for a few of the usual places - around my Adam’s Apple. After readjusting it to 3 it took care of my dome stubble with the same level of aplomb - again leaving some rough spots in the usual places on the back of the head.

My final ATG buffing pass at 3 cleared the stubble around the Adam’s Apple with the exception of a very minor weeper below it which stopped following the post shave wash with Glyce glycerin soap. I set the TAR to 2.5 for my final ATG dome buffing clean-up. The real joy for me in this shave was my ability to completely focus on shave technique. The weight of the razor eliminated any need to think about tremor control. The noggin second pass was completed bloodlessly. Thank you TAR for another beautiful BBS. I feel clean, smooth, cool and refreshed. Stay safe and healthy out there! All the best to everyone!

RAZOR: Brass Version TAR (Tom’s Adjustable Razor)
BLADE: Suneko (2)
PREP: Cold water rinse
BRUSH: MrEE’s Aluminum Handled Brush w/ Badger/Boar Hybrid Knot
CREAM: Kapo Fresh salted w/ 3 drops of M-Bomb
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with Glyce Glycerin soap followed by Thayers Lavender WH and finished with Murray and Lanman Florida Water AS/Cologne Splash

 

Out the back door.....





tp

 

starting tomorrow..your on..awesome. .my techs need some love ..i don't or haven't used feather blades,but gsb and platinums work,nacet are great.spoilers are awesome..i may use my canadian /u.s prewar techs as well.little difference,just looks.knocks the dust of off of them..

 

awesome shave and pic Jeff,good afternoon..

 

@brit this is what I have got to work with:

 

you should be fine with those..pick your favorites..cool thing about a focus..you can change things a little to dial in the shave.get used to one blade first to get your technique in order..happy shaving..

 

Oh wow. Bloody hell that's a helluva view!

 

Wonderful shave and repert, Jeff.

 

That setup is awesome!!

 

Terrific shaves and pictures, Blair and Gary!

 

Thank you, Gary!

Sounds a nice shave other than the two nicks, Jake.
Are you using your off hand to stretch your skin? Skin stretching made a huge difference in my results.

 

Just ordered The Body Shop's Maca Root shaving cream and matching after shave. It cost me the princely sum of £5.70!

 

Excellent shave and report, Jeff!

 

@Jake Gibson I find that being dynamic with my left hand is helpful. Always around and inch or so behind where I'm shaving to make sure the surface the blade is cutting across is as flat as it can be. I don't pull too hard with the stretch either, as this makes the cutting action feel uncomfortable!

 

Here is the best map I have of the place I live on.

Only took 30 minutes to upload....
The green is forest, or as I call it...
The woods.
tp

 

I agree Jake! A few months ago, I did a 30 consecutive straight razor shaves using the same straight, brush, soap and aftershave.

 

Wonderful shave Jeff! You have been on cloud nine for awhile and that's a great place to be at this time. Unfortunately, there have been reports of suicide by those that couldn't handle being cooped up at home. So keep enjoying your shaves my friend.