30 Day Rule/Focus; July 2025. All Are Welcome!

Yes. I am fortunate that the store was able to restore 95% of my data onto my new cell.

 

Excellent shave and setup Chris.

 

I would say if you lived in California that you would be a Los Angeles Dodger fan because the team colors are blue and white. Great shave Gary.

 

thank you Joe.Happy Independence Day

 

Good morning, all. I'm a day late with this report (and likely many dollars, short, too. LOL!). This report is for July 3rd.



Prep: Shower, then 'cold' water washcloth added to face immediately before lathering.
Soap: Taylor of Old Bond Street's Jermyn Street cream.
Brush: Razor Emporium synthetic
Blade: Wilkinson Sword
Razor: Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements (PAA) Meta-4

Post: Alum block, then Stirling Sandpiper after-shave splash

My youngest recently said he wanted to switch to a safety razor, and my brother had some razors he'd got at some point but doesn't use now, so after some waiting for the mail, there are a couple more razors in the house now. My son is using the old Gilletter butterfly, and I'll be learning, testing, and trying a PAA Meta-4, which itself is a near-copy of an old Kirby razor. Learning this new thing is my focus for July.

I've never used, held, nor even seen in person a Meta-4 before. It's a stainless steel thing, which in principle I don't prefer. I like high-polish chromed or nickeled brass best, but here we are. I shall attempt no more than a 2-pass shave until I learn this razor better. This razor feels distinctly different from my Edwin Jagger. I'm not prepared to try to describe how yet. For now it's just distinctly different.

The outcome of the save was roughly comparable to my E-J, despite the different feel. It was a good shave. I look forward to finding out how that may change as I learn and hopefully improve my use of this new thing. I really don't want to inadvertently accumulate a 'collection' of razors. I can understand a certain appeal to having a few(?) razors, but I just don't want that. A couple might be okay.

Cheers!

 

Yes, Henckels have always been famous for their cutlery and also their straight razors. I had just never heard of them in relation to razor blades before.

 

A fine coordinated blue-themed shave, Gary.

 

Well, I'm glad it wasn't anything important you lost like your Henckels straight razor! Modern phones are pretty much interchangeable as long as the data is backed up "in the cloud". But a vintage straight going missing -- now that would be truly heart-rending!

And what will be even more annoying will be when your missing phone turns up wedged behind the pillow on your bed or something...

 

I believe the Romans shaved with bronze straight razors. Maybe you will get to see one at Pompeii?

 

thank you John

 

Great shave and report, Chris! I am not so sure about the description of that soap scent though ... they mention whiskey, bourbon, beer, boozy fruit cake and spices, so your summary of "the morning after the night before" sounds about right.

Anyway, good show on using local artisan products. Well, sort of local -- same continent anyway even if it's from the opposite side. And their products sound a lot like Mitchell's Wool Fat's offerings before MWF cheapened all their ingredients.

 

Coordinated blue again! Barbus is a product I have never heard much about. Has it always been made in Slovakia - local from there?

 

thank you John.as far as i know,yes.but i hadn't heard of barbus before i got it .excellent product.

 

Great first outing with the Meta 4 razor John. I am sure in time you will like it

 

I agree on all points John.

 

July 4 SOTA US Independence Day

Good afternoon.

Rockwell T2 (3.5)
Stirling Wilkerson Sword DE Blade (1,2)
MrEE LE #10 Cashmere Brush
Angora Soaps Midnight Lavender SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Lucky Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 2.25 Days
Dome Turf: 6 Days



Today is my country's celebration of Independence Day 249 years ago. I decided to have a setup that honors the Red, White and Blue. I definitely needed a headshave so I went with the Rockwell T2 and loaded it with a brand new Wilkerson Sword blade. This blade is not as smooth as a Gillette Wilkerson Sword, but it is sharp enough to get the job done. I lowered the setting to 3.5 to account for this blade's slight roughness.
I did 2 passes on the dome and 3 on the face and received a nice, close shave. Did get a weep on the back of my scalp based on the red spot on the lather. Checked it out and didn't see anything so I guess the cold water took care of it. However, the alum was singing a loud area on my dome and neck. I was expecting as much because of this blade. Finished with the witch hazel and the wonderful aftershave. Take care.

 

cool rockwell t shaves and pic Joe.

 

Thanks Gary.

 

thanks very much Joe

Lovely setup there. Interesting array of software too. You will get the hang of it soon enough and then want to experiment with more...Lol!

Thanks John. Well, my wife seems to like the scent so that's ok. It has some unpleasantness to it which is kind of endearing, but maybe it's touching a nerve and bringing back some memories of student days, who knows. It lathered really well, much better than I have been able to achieve with the MWF but that is a personal battle I will take up again later at some stage

Lovely red white and blue setup Joe. Independence day is always a big day, Glad your shave turned out fine too