January 2015 30 Day Rule/30 Day Focus Pic and Discussion Thread- All are Welcome

Mr. Watson, come here!

 

What day is this for me? Four I think...ugh my brain is mush from all the holiday craziness!
Only change from before was music (yesterday was classical Brahms), new Merkur blade, and changed adjustable setting from 1 to 3

• Music: Demi Lovato "Heart Attack" (Curse you "I feel lucky" on Google play! Shhh - I didn't mind her music!) - this is kind of like group therapy. My name is Eric and I enjoyed listening to Demi Lovato. Group responds: Welcome Eric.
• Prep: Shower, hot towel
• Brush: Art of Shaving Chrome Gillet Fine Badger
• Pre-shave: Art of Shaving pre shave oil
• Soap: Art of Shaving Lavender
• Razor: Merkur Progress
• Blade: Merkur
• Shave: 3 + touch-up
• Post: warm towel wipe, cold water rinse, Art of Shaving post shave balm

Great shave this morning. Didn't use too much pressure under chin and don't have the burn today!

 

Day 6
my 30-day rule
razor: Ever Ready 1924 SE
blade: Personna GEM teflon coated
brush: Omega 31064 (mostly**)
soap: Williams (Yeah, that's right! Williams! I triple dog dare you!)

I chose the ER 1924 because I get good shaves with it, but have always cleaned up the problem areas with a Schick injector to get the overall BBS that I require (yep, I'm a baby chaser and not ashamed). 6 days in and I am getting closer, but am not quite there yet. However, I am making progress thanks to the skew cut (aka Gillette slide).

Like all(?) GEMs, the 1924 head does great on the big areas. The head is broad and flat. Just lay it on your face and easily drive to Smoothsville. However, when it comes to the tight spots, I feel like one of those people driving a dualie pcikup who cannot seem to get the thing into a standard parking space (don't you hate it when people double park?).

One challenge at which I've made some good inroads is the hollow inside the length of the jaw bone. By sharply angling the head to the direction of travel, I can fit the blade more inside the hollows. The result is pretty dang smooth, so it got me thinking more about the skew cut.

When you skew the blade, more blade length crosses each hair. The difference is rather like that between chopping carrots and thinly slicing tomatoes. Think about how you use the knife on each veggie! I just quickly push through carrots, chuck-chuck-chuck-chuck, but draw the entire knife through a tomato, ssssssssssst. I think that's what is happening under the jaw bone, a longer, slicing cut.

Still needing improvement: jaw bone corners, smoother adam's apple, very end of chin, consistency at corners of mouth, hold-out hairs at very bottom of neck <grrr!>. Don't get me wrong. I've got DFS++. I just want the BBS.

Oh, yeah... Like most, I get more shaves out of a SE blade than a DE. However, it is harder for me to tell when to change out. I'm thinking it will be closer to 4 or 5 shaves than it is 6 or 7! I had a blade already in progress when I started and carried it "one shave too far." Ouch! <sigh>

** I just got my loaner box back after about three months. I had to use my Frank Shaving badger brush today. I didn't realize how much I missed it. Also, seeing my returned EJ and Gillette LC New, I almost wept for joy. The next 24 days cannot pass quickly enough! I hope I make it.

BBS or bust!

 

This skew cut is quite interesting. I make movements similar to that around my jaw. Isn't the skewed blade the same concept behind a slant razor?

 

Day 4 of 30
BSG
30 Day Rule with a Slim
​

J2 Gillette Slim Adjustable
Kroger Israeli Personna
VDH Kit Badger
TSD Lanolin Shave Stick - Barber Shoppe Scent
Today's Great Cheap AS™ is Aqua Velva Musk

The plan for today is try to pay more attention to blade angle...and continue to evaluate these blades versus the different Slim dial settings. Neck feels ok today, but don't wanna repeat of yesterday's soreness.

Today's Great Cheap AS™ Is AV Musk. I had never tried AV Musk until a recent PIF placed some into my shave den. It is basically another old school classic in both scent and feel...a real barber chair edge to it. It is under $10 and approved by Mrs. Samurai and that makes it...Great Cheap AS™!

Back with a lab report later.

 

What is your progression on the dial as you shave? Which numbers go with each pass?

 

Well... I don't own a slant (yet!), but my answer is "Yes!"

 

True! The GEM razors are great!

 

1st pass @4
2nd pass @5
3rd pass @6
touch-up @7

I may try going from 5 up to 8 later on, but for now I like this system.

What's your system?

 

Im on day 6 of the Gem Clog Pruf and day 6 is by far and away the best. I'm getting the hang of the peculiarities of this SE. I will say this, i sure do like a blade that's been mellowed out by use, but that could be the day one inexperience.

I guess that's what a 30 day rule is about, eh?

 

Right now my system is on 4 and hope for the best. I am still looking for the feel...but will try something like you are doing.

 

Eh...it could be better but it could also be a lot worse. Last night was probably the smoothest I've got it and probably could have gotten by without cutting myself if I didn't rush at the end. I'm about to hop in the shower now so I'll update with my day 5 shortly.

Day 5
Prep: Hot shower, Clean and Clear deep action exfoliating scrub
Brush: Van Der Hagen (the one from the premium kit)
Soap: Van Der Hagen Luxury
Blade: Hill Country (rebranded Personna)
Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89
Post: Nivea Original, Old Spice

Nothing really new to say besides the shaves seem to be becoming more second nature. The one lesson I learned today was not to let your wife make you feel like you take to long to shave. As soon as I got out of the shower I set a timer and began my routine which shouldn't have been a problem. About half way into shaving it's all I could think about so I started rushing which led to some blood...oh well lesson learned. Altogether I think I shaved my head and face in under 22 minutes and probably the closest shave yet. I missed some spots on my head but with blood pouring down the back of it I decided to call it day and chalk it up to a learning experience.

 

Day 6. Bsg
Edit(added products):

Prep: Noxzema, Shower
Soap: Arko
Blade: 7'oclock SharpEdge (yellow)
Razor: Ball End Tech
Brush: 24mm WD Black Badger
Post: WH( with a spritz of baxtor shave tonic) , VIBR

1 WTG for a rest day. Everything is going quite well, I just opened my first tuck from the bulk order of 7'oclock yellows. It seemed a little more harsh than the other but it could be a bad one, or I may need more hand stropping.

I had one iffy spot on my neck, all else went pretty well. I'd probably only call it socially acceptable, but my face seems to do better not trying to go ATG each day. Even 10 hours later it still seems decent but I've had a 5'oclock shadow since lunch

 

And now the very late posted SOTD picture.

 

January 30 Day Challenge
5 Month noobie.

Prep: Hot shower Nivea Face Wash
Brush: WD 22mm
Soap: C.O. Bigelow
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Razor: Gillette Ball Tech 1951
Post: Alum Block, Captains Choice Bay Rum

No shave yesterday. Today's shave was comfortable 3 pass shave. I received a bottle Captains Choice Bay Rum had to try it. I find it quite nice skin feels great too.

 

Rest well...24 to go!

 

Switch up that AS people, like @Bowler Mike! It's a way to get variety in your routine this month!

 

01/06 – Day 5 with the Weishi

Objective: Survive a month using low end entry level products.

• Growth: 1 day
• Prep: Hot shower; Corn Huskers Lotion
• Lather: Arko – Face lathered
• Brush: Escali Badger
• Razor: Weishi 9306/Microtouch One
• Blade: Derby Extra (1)
• Post: Alum; Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Today’s Results: Today the Derby seemed a little sharper and cut through the tough areas without issue. I didn't rein it in - a bit pressed for time - and ended up with a nick! Arko brought in reinforcements. DFSish today.

Edit: Oh yeah. Yesterday was my one month wet shaving anniversary. So today started month #2. Really enjoying it and TSD! Thanks for having me.

 

Congrats on a month! Thanks for all you contribute! Happy shavings!