30 Day Rule/Focus; March 2023. All are Welcome!

SE Shave # 318

Rating: 3.5 / 5

Razor: Shick - Injector Type J/Type G (Bullpen)
Blade: Persona Injector (1)
Brush: Ever Ready 200T
Lather: Blackship Grooming Company Davy Jones
Aftershave: Floïd Genuine Vigoroso
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

A very strange shave this morning with the Type J injector. I had recently placed a new blade in the razor. Today was it’s first use, however, I would have thought it was it’s 10th. Even after my complete routine of this passes I still felt that coarse sandpaper feeling throughout the shaving surface area. I call in to the bullpen the Type G injector which I used yesterday. One pass = Ah smoothness!

When I arrive home later today I will replace the blade in the Type J for future use next weekend. Hopefully, I will get my customary results from the injector.

Road trip within the hour to return to “balmy”
Long Island from the western NY Winter Wonderland.

 

Nice shave to finish off the weekend Barry.

 

Thank you, Joe.

 

Wonderful shave and write up. Regarding the MWF, I tend to load the brush for about 75-90 seconds. I then take it to my lather bowl to whip it up adding a few drops of water periodically until I get it the way i like it.

very nice shave Chris. Regarding the MWF, I tend to load the brush for 75 - 90 second then whip up the lather in a bowl adding a few drops of water periodically until I get it the way I like it.
I seem to recall that the Maestro, Joe, @Primotenore, posted a whole back his method for loading the Fat. Perhaps Joe can share the link to his post here again.

 

Super Sunday Shave Barry. Have a great afternoon.

 

Indeed. Glad you had a great game to watch as the Rangers beat the Sabres in OT 2-1.

 

Every so often, one must call an audible. It worked because you ended with a fine shave. Safe trip back to Long Island Joe.

 

Thank you Joe.

 

Thank you Joe.

 

Today's shave was real nice. I hadn't done a Stoylin soap for a few days-sure made a difference this morning. Fine job all around, with the exception of being a little too casual around the Ingrown Hairs. Zeroes across the board on cuts, Knicks, Polka-Dots. 2 passes. TSd's Russian Leather A.S. to finish. Super Duper Outstanding.

 

That's what I am, all right...A Senior Shaver.

 

Joe.

 

Hate when that happens Joe. I've switched up a blade mid-shave a few times. Head scratcher...

 

March 12 SOTA

Good afternoon.

Van der Hagen TTO
Wilkinson Sword DE Blade (Fresh)
Mühle R102
Winner DE Blade (6?)
MrEE LE #10 Cashmere Brush
Angora Soaps Midnight Lavender SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Beard Growth (1 day)
Dome Turf (3-4 days)



Angora Soaps Midnight Lavender always lathers well and the scent is simply divine.
When I am doing a head and face shave, I usually use one razor, but circumstances had me go a different way. I picked the very mild Van der Hagen razor because I didn't want to respond my knick from yesterday's shave. Moreover, I chose the Mühle R102 for my headshave because I had close to 4 days growth and an aggressive razor was necessary to get the job done.
Did a 2 pass face without touchups and a 3 pass headshave with touch-ups for great results. No blood was spilled and no irritation to be found. The alum was mostly silent. Splashed on the awesome aftershave to finish this nice session. Take care.

 

Fortunately it has not happen to me often. Thanks Herm.

 

Well done Joe, aka “Uncle Fester”.

My dome shave of Thursday now has some nice fuzz therefore the missus will be happy and unaware that I did my own version of the Great Uncle of the Adams Family.

 

Thanks Joe. Believe it or not, I like the Uncle Fester character. When I saw the Jackie Coogan play that role before I reached puberty, it never occurred to me that I would sport the same cueball look 42 yrs later. Lol!

 

@Paul Turner. Me too, Senior in years, but still a Junior Shaver, as in only a few months, so maybe I am a Junior Senior Shaver. Maybe I should have used the term Advanced Shavers instead!

 

@JACarbone

Thanks Joe, I will see if I can find that. Maybe I am not loading that long enough, then adding even a small amount water will thin it out too soon. I will add to my To Do list!


13 Mar 2023
Determined to have a shorter pre-work shave today.
Growth = 24 hours.
Razor = Muhle R89, boring but safe.
Blade = following in @palmolive fox comments above, I opted for Derby Premium (1). Had only used Derby Extra before, and did not like it.
Brush = Razorock synthetic Plisoft.
Cream = TOBS Jermyn Street in a tube, I normally use this with soap, but tried this on its own today.
Face Prep = 3 x 30 seconds Hot Water Soaks.
Pre-shave = Proraso white, deep massage, left in place while lathering, then another 30 Sec HWS.
Bowl = white lather bowl
Water = tap water with Citric Acid

Dollop of Cream in dry lathering bowl, vigorous lathering, added a trickle of water twice. Excellent lather.
Method: Focusing on the Map and Grain.
Pass 1 = WTG
Pass 2 = WTG and XTG
Pass 3 = WTG and XTG and ATG as needed.
Clean ups: wet left hand searching for left over stubble, rubbing against the grain with the left hand, followed behind by the razor with short buffing actions.
All in all this combo felt very safe and comfortable. I felt I did not be so careful with the light touch.
I did think the blade is not as sharp as say a Feather, but this meant somewhat less "care" was needed.
This meant I could be more liberal around the chin, with somewhat longer strokes rather than my shorter strokes.
Post: Warm then cold water rinse. Alum was silent. Rinse, patted dry. Thayer's while cleaning up.
Nivea sensitive for men.
Brut A/S. This lasted for most of the day. Inexpensive but this is growing on me.

Clean and ready for the ready for the day. All up only around 1/2 including prep and cleanup.

I was surprised how smoothly this went. Much easier to achieve a really DFS with no skin irritation.

I only have 5 Derby Premiums as part of a sample pack, will definitely need to stock up.
I will be interesting to see how this works in different razors.


Have a great week ahead.

 

Thanks for the shout Chris. Glad your shave went well.All of the three Derby blades pair up wonderfully with the wonderful Muhle R89, as well as the Edwin jagger DE89 which has identically the same head. I have found since I've gained shaving confidence, and my technique has/is improving with every shave I have revisited blades that I didn't like when i first started out, that I now get surprisingly good results.

DE blades are one of the most subjective parts to traditional wet shaving.....YMMV is no more true for razor blades than any other element. Read enough reviews and you'll see 10 will brand X is the sharpest and 4 will say it's the dullest; 6 will say it's gentle and smooth, while 5 will say it's the worst blade ever. My mature skin type really likes Sub-continent /Indian made DE blades .... I don't push a blade to the max. 2-4 shaves max is my method, with the exception of few brands.. , but what works for me, could be the opposite for your goodself. I really believe that 90% of traditional wet shaving is all about learning your technique & gaining shaving confidence...However a good solid razor, preparation ,a sharp blade helps multitude...'A bad worker always blame's his tools. "Technique trumps tools", and be wary of RAD. This is advice from an addict who has acquired a stock pile of different DE blades to last two life times and more.
Enjoy your shaves Chris. Yours-Barry.