May 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Dang, Jim, that’s just mean!! I just mention the thing and boom here it is again! What a gorgeous razor and brush! I don’t need another new razor - I don’t need another new razor - I don’t need a new beautiful copper razor unlike any razor I currently own!!! How much are they again! Arrrrghhhh!!!

 

Great shave, Paul!

 

Actually, that would be kind of cool

 

Another lovely set up and wonderful report, Joseph--that AoS Lemon software sounds like just the thing on hot day!

 

Wow! That's an impressive line of service. My grandfather played the saxophone in the Marine Corps Band in the Pacific theater until Corregidor was overrun, then found himself in the Bataan marches. He only weighed 86 pounds when he was finally released. While convalescing, he met my grandmother, who outranked him--after a few dates, she pulled rank and issued her first order, "Kiss me, soldier!"

 

Beautiful vintage Böker razor and shave, Maestro!

 

”May 27--In the Mix-it-Up-of-Mystery May”
Shavette Shave #78 ”Shaving on a Dime”

Gear

• Razor: Utopia Care shavette--just under $9.00 w/100 blades included
• Blade: Derby Premium (1)--included in price of the shavette
• Shave Oil: Shave Secret--$3.75

The Shave
So, I took up Joe’s @Trigger budget shave challenge. I spent a hefty amount of time searching for it, but eventually unearthed the Shave Secret that I purchased at Walmart for about $3.75 four or five years ago. It has its pros and cons, and I used it fairly regularly for a few months up until the cons started to outweigh the pros.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Very small footprint--great for a travel kit (which is where I finally found it, btw)
• No prep time for lather
• Light cooling effect
• Great face feel and no need for balm or AS afterwards

Cons

• Have to shave with slippery hands; with a DE, no biggie--just apply and re-wet with left, and shave with the right. But if you shave with both hands like I do with a shavette, it can be a problem. For me, it was only an annoyance.
• No “lather trail” to help you track where you’ve shaved
• Does not glide as well as lather
• Wiping the gunk off the blade every few strokes. The oil, skin and hair don't simply rinse off; it needs to be wiped away. I found this to be a significant hassle--and kind of gross

3 passes today (WTG, XTG, ATG). Because I was in a bit of a hurry, I didn’t really touch up spots that got missed (easy to miss spots without lather), so I’m on the higher side of DFS/CCS. No blood or irritation, but the experience is pretty much how I remember it--decent, but not luxurious (except for the post shave face feel, which is admittedly pretty nice).

My thoughts: I still think Shave Secret makes an admirable get-the-job-done 1 or 2 day travel option where keeping things small and light are important. But if I’m on a trip longer than that, I’d want the comforts of a brush, lather, and balm. For home use? I don’t see a repeat anytime soon.

As for the Utopia Care shavette, it’s fiddly to load, and its slim profile can be tricky to manage, but it shaves quite well, and allows a really shallow shave angle if you want it. The Derby Premiums that came with it are decent blades. All in all, a solid performer and a great bargain.

Off to work I go--happy Hump Day!

78 down, 22 to go!

 

Wow! That's a great military pedigree Jeff! You should be proud of being a part of 5 generations who have served valiantly.

 

Amen and amen!

 

Great photo and budget shave Tim.

 

The Gillette Guard is supposed to deliver a pretty decent shave. Many use it for a travel option. I was under the impression it was made for the Indian market in an effort to take some market share from DE razors.

 

One more day with the copper CG and I'll swap to a different razor. Not sure which one as of now but it won't be the CG.

Valiente effort, Tim!

 

Very nice budget shave Tim! I believe that you did well with that shavette because of your muscle memory. Have a nice day Tim!

 

Thanks, gents.

 

Thanks, Tim. It's less invigorating then you would think. Good stuff tho.

 

Thanks, Joe. The name's less than politically correct.

 

fine shave Tim..

 

Good 'n cheap, Tim.

 

May 27, 2020
Colonial Brass General
Feather Pro
CH2 Synthetic
B&M Bay Rum
Captain’s Choice Bay Rum Aftershave

​

We are just having a rainy messy week here in the ATL. The same cast of characters are up again today. I moved the remnants of the soap to the center of the container to make loading easier. The Jade Soap Destroyer certainly did a job on loading and lathering the B&M Bay Rum. Three passes and touch ups ended in another drama free BBS shave. The CC Bay Rum aftershave has more of kick than Dominica Bay Rum which suited me just fine. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

Wonderful shave and picture, Clint!