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

Yeah one of my criteria is to test the results in the evening. How much shadow do I have? I don't have a heavy beard anyway but I know with carts I felt like I hadn't shaved by the time I get home from work. When I was first trying blades I would check the evening growth as a means of comparing the performance. The past couple of days I would rate the shaves DFS but obviously on multiple passes. Evening stubble is light and much improved over carts at this point.

I could definitely use the ability to shave fast at times too. Right now I"m just letting myself run a little behind if I'm late to the shave in the morning.

 

Day 13
my 30-day rule RECALIBRATION
razor: EJ DE89
blade: Astra SP
brush: TGN synthetic knot, custom carved handle
soap: Stirling Spice

Sublime BBS.

<sigh>

OK, back to it tomorrow. Today's recalibration confirmed that I was overzealously chasing that baby. Shoot! I just recently posted that we approach BBS asymptotically. Was I thinking "Just a little bit more" like some sort of self-scourging, shaving Rockefeller?

Hmm... I know in the first week of this 30-day ride that I improved technique with the ER 1924. I wonder if I am approaching its practical limit! OR... maybe it is my practical limit. Back to that operator error thing, maybe?

Part of me takes it rather personally. "By golly, I'll get me a BBS out of this thing even if I have to cut my nose off to do it!" Part of me wonders if the die hard ER 1924 fans regularly stop with what I might consider a DFS, rather than a BBS. What if they call their DFSs a BBS?

If I don't have some serious answers in 19 days, I'm gonna have to ask Mr. Owl!

 

SOTD
January 13, 2015

Prep: Hot shower. Axe Shield Face Wash
Razor: RazoRock Stealth Slant
Blade: Astra SP
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Lather: B&M Latha
Post: Alum.Thayers Lavender WH.
Aftershave: B&M Latha
Great shave! Gents! This soap and aftershave is $16.50! It's a great value! If you haven't tried Barrister and Mann this would be a great reason to start. RRSS and Astra SP pared very well. The Plisson is a my favorits brush.

Go out and get it!

 

Dang your enthusiasm! I just added the soap and brush to my "want list." ... like THAT needed any additions!

 

Shave 8 of 30 day BSG
Shower - Hot Shower
Prep - Corn Huskers Lotion
Razor - Parker 99R
Blade - Wilkinson Swords Classic
Brush - Parker Rosewood Boar Brush
Soap - Proraso Eucalyptus and Menthol Soap
Post - Cold Water Rinse/Crystal Deodorant/Clubman AS/Real Shaving Co. Post Shave Soothing Balm

Was in a rush this morning as I was running behind. So I settled for a fast 2 pass shave. Very presentable and definite CCS no irritation at all. This 30 day rule out the gate as a new DE shaver has been great. Definitely feel like technique is getting better every shave. That said I cannot wait to try some different soaps/creams/blades/ and maybe razors!!!

 

SOTD 13 - BSG:

Prep: Shower, Proraso PreShave
Soap: Arko
Blade: 7'oclock SharpEdge (yellow)
Razor: Ball End Tech
Brush: 24mm WD Black Badger
Post: WH(with a spritz of Baxter's of California Shave Tonic, in it)

So I tried a cold water shave again this morning, mostly because of some discussions here. I've tried these many times before and never really liked it and didn't seem to get better results either. I did it again this time and used the Proraso pre, and perhaps together it really did make a difference. My face feels quite cold now(like 30 minutes later) maybe I should throw some Bay Rum on there to warm me up .

Anyway - 1 WTG, 1 ATG With a couple touchups. I'd say CCS. I'm getting better at not messing my neck up and still removing hair.

 

1/13/2015 30 Day - Shave # 13

Prep - Hot Shower
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade - Kai Mild (1)
Brush - Rubberset 400 with WSP HMW
Lather - Soap Commander Confidence
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Sandalwood AS



At the end of yesterday's shave I could tell the blade was not as sharp. Much more stubble last night, so I changed the blade before this mornings shave. Not sure why this one gave up the ghost sooner. Very nice 2 pass shave with the usual touch ups. Overall a great shave. I just do not have the time on work mornings to chase the baby but it's pretty close.

 

For travel I face lather. I have traveled with Proraso green tub, and am currently using a TSD stick. To be honest, it's not as great on the road as it is at home. The biggest difference on this trip is of course humidity and softer water, in central NY versus Denver. The water really changed the lather, and I basically just had to spend a little time making sure the ratio of soap/water was correct. Denver humidity runs around 10-45%, and I am generally ok on moisture as long as I am properly hydrated. I feel the best way to moisturizer skin is from the inside, and I have found that if I pay close attention, I am normally slightly dehydrated in Denver.

The biggest adjustment to routine was that I skipped any preshave oil/balm due to shave stick usage, and made sure to really load up my face with soap for the soft water, and adjusted the water in the brush every lather. I also did not bring witch hazel, which I use as a general face toner. Had I not been on a 30 day rule, I probably would have brought Proraso and PSO, but I chose the stick because I knew of the travel beforehand. All that led to a week of just ok shaves...looking forward to home late tonight! I am not sure if this answered your question, but that's what I've done in the past and this trip.

 

16.50 for both together? Enabler...lol

 

That sting from OS is just the AS thanking you for being a man! We love that, right?

 

Yep, I don't travel much; I was just curious how you approached travel vs home base. Thanks for the response.

 

Well today is day eleven, I will be shaving after I get back to Denver tonight. It has been a good month of progress for me on my razor, so far. Hope every one has a great Tuesday!

 

Day 13 BSG

ATT S1 Kronos

Rapira PL

Plisson

Cade Soap and Balm

3 pass DFS today with no touch ups. I pushed the ATG a little too much on my lip. A little redness, but nothing too bad.

 

Chris, it's a great deal! B&M makes great products. You will not be disappointed.

 

1/13/15 - BSG - RESET Day 8

Prep - Hot Shower, towel soak
Brush - Omega 48
Soap - Proraso Green
Razor - '46/'47 Aristocrat
Blade - Voskhod (2)
Post - Pinaud Clubman

Well today I changed my plan given the consistency I've been having with 3 passes. Rather than continue to try for the elusive BBS with 3 I went 2 passes in search of a DFS. Can't say I achieved it but it's not as bad as it could be. I did a WTG face and neck followed by XTG face and ATG neck. Ended up with CCS on my face and didn't quite make it there on my neck. Two trouble spots especially right along the jaw line near both ears. Left is worse than right. Considering how dominant my right hand is getting my left to perform as well on any pass has been a bit of a challenge, so going backhand with my right may be the best option here. I'll see how badly it deterioriates by evening, though the rough spots are already showing how far I am from DFS.

I know I could do some clean up on it but the point this morning was to set the bar. Do the two passes and see what's there. That's my baseline for tomorrow. Can I get CCS all over? DFS face? Will Roger and Mary survive his affair? And what of the baby....will he ever be found?!?!?!?! Tune in tomorrow on "As the Aristocrat Turns"!

Thought I'd throw up a picture of besties. The Aristocrat really seems to love Voskhods. And the feeling seems mutual.

​

 

How do you like your '46-47 aristocrat?

Everybody has a little devil in them!

 

Well I like your question given the subjectiveness of this entire process. There really are no official guidelines that I have found or heard of to differentiate between BBS, DFS or CCS other than the "feel" of your face. That can be affected by everything from the humidity level in the room, softness of the skin itself, particular spot checked etc. And, I may say I feel no stubble with a circular motion but I may also be allowing for a touch of stubble that someone else would say is too much. Maybe we do still need Mr. Owl!

 

Love the Aristocrat. It has become my new favorite, although the 30 day rule has helped since I'm focused only on it. I'm curious to see how well I like going back to my EJ or superspeed when I'm done with the 30 days though. Something tells me the Aristocrat will be number one in my rotation by a long shot. I do want to get it replated, though, so it will be gone for a couple of weeks at some point.

 

My '46 crat is my go to shaver for clean-up after shaving with a straight razor it mates well with vidyut super-max platinum blade for a non-irritated finish.