December 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Yup, you’ve inspired me, Barry. I’m starting January out with a Katana focus. Very nice pic and write up, as usual.

 

I echo these sentiments as well, Dave. The New Improved/Bostonian is a work of art (including the case!) and a true Art Deco classic, but the NEW LC is a smoother shaver. So are the SC and Goodwill for that matter.

 

Happy New Year to you and Kathy, Charlie! Best wishes for a wonderful 2021!

 

This is a fine plan. I will join you in this endeavour in January.

 

Hope you have a great visit with your father, Joe. That is quite the bowl, btw. Those agitators look pretty efficient in it. Was it built to be a shave bowl?

 

What a pic! Looks like you may enable a few folks into a light box purchase...
Congrats on the new razor- such a unique looking top cap. Throws Riding the Cap out the window, I’m guessing.

 

You really did do a great job on the handle, Danny. Looks phenomenal. I wonder which came first, that handle or the RR Radio knob. They look very similar...they may also be based on a classic one I don’t know about?

 

Thursday's Shave
New Year's Eve

Mühle R102
Gillette Nacet (2)
Frank Shaving Manchurian 2-Band Finest Badger
D.R. Harris Marlborough Shaving Soap
T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel
Proraso Red Aftershave

I've quietly had an unmentioned focus for this month - hot water prep. I've been a cold water shaver for about two years and chose to do so in in effort to reduce irritation. Now that my technique has improved, it doesn't really seem to make a difference. The focus this month initially started as a one off experiment and after having good results the first few times, I decided to continue for the entire month. Results were positive and I think I will continue with a hot water prep and cold water finish to the shaves going forward. It is a much more relaxing and comfortable experience, although I may use some cold water shaves in the hot months of the year. The hot water prep I've employed consists of a very damp hot washcloth held over my face for about 15 seconds with immediate face lathering afterwards. This requires me to load the brush with soap before the hot water treatment. The mug I use to dip my brush tips is also filled with hot water and I may even look into buying a brush scuttle in the future.

As for today's shave, I used a new brush that I picked up on Amazon. It has a 20mm Manchurian 2-band badger knot that punches well above it's weight class. I like its performance and for $11 it is a steal. Excellent D.R. Harris lather ensued after a 60 second brush loading.

2+ easy passes with the Mühle provided a comfortable and efficient result this morning with no irritation or mishaps. The "+" pass signifies the extra pass I've been doing over the mustache/goatee area of the face all month (it makes wearing a face mask more pleasant as there's no sandpaper resistance).

I don't know what 2021 will hold for all of us and I try to not focus on those things beyond my control. I'd like to say that I have enjoyed participating in this group and I value your friendships and positivity demonstrated each and every day.

 

Thank you Barry.

 

Danny, next time the man from North Southeast Kentucky criticizes Clumbman, include me in your facial replies!!! .

 

I will join this endeavor after January 6th. The first 5 shaves after Jan 1 will be my top 5 new soaps of 2020.

 

While I would always applaud a contemporary’s decision to self-impose a Clubman No Buy, I think that shampoos, bar soaps etc. would be excluded from a wetshaving NB, especially if you need to replenish out of necessity.

 

Wonderful recap and photo Barry. I look forward to reading you post each day.

Awesome lineup and photos Dave. Good luck at the tire store.

Beautiful shave and photo Joe. Have a great time with your Father.

The polished Yates looks fantastic Jim. You're not helping @Hembree with his CH2 lust.

Alabama Awesome Danny. Happy New Year.

Great looking shave and photo Matt.

 

As for MY NB21, after ordering the Bill Neumann aftershave I really wanted, I had to scrounge for a second one, as I hadn't yet heard from them about my 1911 A.S. question. Like a policeman, I "needed backup". I got a decent backup for my second. I needed the second one to get my free shipping.

 

No worse than my track record.

 

A wonderful pic with a stunning razor, Gary. What do you think of the Polo blue? A nice write up as well.

 

Very nice of you to think that way, but the shampoo I was talkinabout is a Clubman, too.

 

Wonderful photo and recap Gary.

Fantastic Joe. Mad Max looks stunning.

Beautiful shave and photo Jeff.

Lovely lineup and photo Andrew.

 

Let me see if I understand this: Your "NB21" will be from 1-6-21(and beyoond)til 1-6-22??

 

Thank you Jason.