30 Day Rule/Focus; November 2023. All Are Welcome!

A real good Throwback Thursday shave with Bill Neumann SS&A.S. The only glitch was my own doing, thus it had nothing to do with the "Tools", just the "Technique". That was a miss on N.E. Porcupine Alley. I got N.W. good. I'll be sure to get N.E. tomorrow. Bill Neumann products are great if you want "skin food". 2 passes. No cuts, Knicks, Polka-Dots. I went back before the second pass to get more soap(didn't have enough for Pass #1). Like Lee at WetShaving Products, the Neumann family goes right to the very top of the puck with its soap. Must be careful not to spill over. I'm sure I'll have to buy another A.S. and maybe a third, to match the soap(or ANY Neumann soap). That may lead to a dilemma in my quest for going NB in 24, right @Primotenore? Anyway...this shave comes in with a Super Duper Outstanding comment.

 

Thank you Joe.."I thought you were talking about blue jeans"..Back in the day, it was for a ladies man..

 

Nov 16 SOTA

Good afternoon.

Straight Razor Shave # 506
5/6 Böker King Cutter
Hembree Delrin/ Maggard Timberwolf Synthetic Brush
Music City Suds Lavender and Ever Amen SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Modessa Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 27 hrs




Ok, I decided to use this razor again. It wasn't as sharp as I would like during the last shave so I hit it in my Crox (chromium oxide) pasted strop before the shave. During the first pass, it still wasn't up to my standards so I hit it on the pasted strop after the first pass. It was better, but still not good enough. It was fine to finish the 3rd pass, but the result was DFS. So this razor needs to be honed before I will use it again.
Angora Soaps Lavender provided a nice, easy and slick lather. It just makes the razor glide well. It's a shame they closed out shop. Here's my lather:



The alum feedback was slight. Splashed on the witch hazel and matching aftershave to finish this shave. No alcohol burn was evident. Take care.

 

Looks live an awesome setup today Joe!

I almost got to the point of trying a shavette or straight razor in my last go round. You all are sorely tempting me. Maybe something to work on in the dead of winter….

 

Thanks Scott. Do you own a straight or a shavette? If so, when was the last time you used one?

 

Joe- Never owned or tried either. Closest I got was a Mongoose, which is a single edge that used the same blades as a shavette (I believe ). When I’m ready I will ask for some advice and suggestions on where to start and what gear to pick up.

 

@SDK
https://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/straight-razor-master-sticky.14946/
Try that

 

Time to breakout the lapping films. Nice shave nonetheless.

 

Thank you Steve! That looks like it’ll keep me busy for a while.

 

SRS # 996

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: ERN 1820 5/8”
Brush: Hembree Derlin Paragon Boar 25 mm
Lather: PAA Atomic Pumpkin Bay Rum
Aftershave: PAA Atomic Pumpkin Bay Rum
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

Another Bay Rum featured shave this morning. This scent just stays with you throughout the day. Perfect for this Fall’s weather here on LI. Today was just gorgeous l.

I had a very comfortable three pass shave. The Ern straight is exceptionally sharp and delivered a super close and error free shave. At the time of writing this post I am 11 hours post shave and my face is still extremely smooth in most areas. Can not complain about that.

Hope you all have had a great day.

 

Oh boy, a potential convert to the Darkside and another rabbit hole.

 

Temptation…that is one of the unspoken mantras of this group.

 

You already have me google searching the Atomic Pumpkin Bay Rum lol.

Looks like another great shave Joe!

 

@SDK Scott, you may also want to consider this thread that I started 4 yrs ago.
Straight Razor and Shavette Guide for Newbies. It's a sub thread that is also under the Straight Razor thread in the shave den. I started that thread four years ago and I give info based on my experience after a year and a half of open blade shaving. Other shavers added other great tips as well. It's a good read and you may find it useful. I will give you one tip that is very important if you go this route. I would suggest a 5/8 round point straight because a shavette is more unforgiving. I would buy a new straight that was professional honed so that you would know it was shave ready. However, Joe C and myself will help you in any way we can.

 

Steve, thanks for giving Scott that thread.

 

Thanks Joe. I definitely have some honing to do.

 

I will look at this as well. Appreciate all of you !

 

Oh, I agree.

 

Thank you. I do enjoy the scent of the Atomic Pumpkin. I do not use it enough as I have about 80-90 soaps, tubs and samples, in the dens.

 

16 Nov 2023 (No Repeat November)

52 hours




Prep = Cold Water Prep and shave, Tabac in a tube as Pre shave
Soap / Cream = Stirling Black Cherry
Brush = Puro Tasso
Bowl = White wide plastic bowl
Razor = R89
Blade = Shark Super Stainless (1)
Passes = 3 + tu
Post = Usual CWR, Alum was silent, CWR, Thayers, Proraso Rinfrescante
Scent = Proraso Cypress and Vetyver
Damage = none

Score = 9.5 /10
Tackled the back of the neck again, getting more comfortable with that...who knows where that will lead to...

Comments = The Shark blade was a little rough to start with but smoothed out nicely towards the end. I may give it the benefit of the doubt and take it for another outing at some stage. Very usable but there are better blades for me. ATG both sides below the sideburns turned out good. ATG top lip turned out good. DFS all over. The Stirling soap lathered well, as expected and no need to mention the performance of the Muhle R89. Overall no complaints

Hope you had a lovely Thursday.