FEB 2015 30 Day Rule/30 Day Focus Pic and Discussion Thread

DAY 10

So, I realized fairly early on that it would be somewhat difficult to post in the thread as often as I would like. With an ever-increasing workload, and two boys (1 & 4) who keep me on my toes, finding time to shave, read, and enjoy an occasional pipe is about the best I can hope for (though I still lurk, read, etc. almost daily). That said, I definitely wanted to post some periodic follow-ups on my 30 days.

All in all, everything is going rather swimmingly. The only shortfall (and it's a small one to be sure) is the Feather blade. For whatever reason, I don't find myself getting as close of a shave as I did with the Personnas. It's definitely a super smooth shave, and I have had zero irritation, knicks, etc. It's just not as close as I had been hoping. I've tried getting a little more forceful with the razor rather than my usual approach of letting its weight do the work, and still no marked improvement. It's kind of funny as I had originally dreaded these blades for their notoriety of being laser sharp-- now, I have found myself actively trying to give myself a knick, weeper, etc. just to prove that it can do it... no dice for me. I figure at this point, either I'm doing something subconsciously, my razor is not aggressive enough, or some cosmic force wants me to have a sandpaper-like face come 5 o'clock. Not sure the cause, but I'm rolling with it.

I may be making this sound worse than it is. I do get a very presentable shave every morning, just not on that BBS border I had already started getting used to. The trade off of course is worry-free, irritation-free shaves, and an excuse to shave every day (not a habit I have ever been in previously, opting for every other). Some other select highlights:

• The menthol in the Proraso feels fantastic and the lather I've been getting with it and the Plisson is spectacular
• Loving the Whoostheman scents, and the wife is too. The AS feels great, smells great and just adds a tremendous amount of pleasure to the whole experience. Will definitely be picking up some full size bottles from them soon.
• Lastly, and most importantly: I've been DE shaving for about 1.5 months now, and I will never (you heard it here), NEVER go back to cartridges if I can avoid it. I truly look forward to shaving- and it's hard to express how foreign that is to me. As someone with reasonably coarse, wiry facial hair who struggled to get 5 shaves out of a cartridge without putting myself through unnecessary pain/discomfort, this whole experience has been life-changing. I know, I know-- strong words. But as a man, shaving as often as we must, a change like this is nothing less. I really can't thank everyone here enough for sharing their insights, experiences, and camaraderie.

See you in 10 days -- Hopefully sooner!

 

Main lesson was that blade had more bite then I I gave it credit for

 

February Focus - Blades
2/11/15 - Day 12
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - VDH Deluxe
Razor - EJ89L
Blade - (3)
Post - RazoRock Alum and Clubman

Final day on the blade and one change. VDH Deluxe soap today to see if that affects the irritation. Three passes, DFS result and the irritation from the Alum was slightly better but still there. Can't really credit the soap for that minor improvement but can't discount it either. However that affected it this blade is better than the Yellow but still a bit more irritating than a PTFE for me.

COST - Best on the web I can find is $16.99 for 84 blades. These seem to be packaged in different numbers than most. A lot of 5+2 tucks, and different bulks. At the best price they are 20 cents a blade, so still a bit high for my taste given the performance.

Today's grade - A/1.5 so the blade finishes with an A/1.5 for the trial. I'm ranking it fourth right after the GSB and ahead of the Yellow. Tomorrow we go to the 7 o'clock Green, a Stainless blade.


New job has me scrambling so I'm calling time on today's picture.

​

 

2/11/15 - Blade Focus/Face Lather February

The tiny rind of the TSD Grey Vetiver type gave up one more great lather and then popped out of the tub and into the sink! I will miss this limited edition soap but I enjoyed it for 21 shaves. No time for nostalgia, I have to shave again tomorrow.

Prep: Cornhusker's Lotion
Lather: TSD Grey Vetiver type
Brush: BodyShop synthetic
Razor: Weber PH
Blade: Shark Super Chrome (3)
Post: Old Spice Sport

Everything worked well this morning. The face lathering felt great and made plenty for the 3 pass shave. The Shark blade seems as smooth and sharp as it was on day 1. I received no feedback at all from the aftershave, so that is a good thing with no sting at all. I found a small sample of Ogallala Bay Rum cedarwood soap so that may go in the tin for tomorrow.

 

02/11/15 February Focus on Blades

Prep – MR GLO
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade – Kai Sharp (4)
Brush – RV with Shavemac Finest
Lather – Captain’s Choice Sandalwood Test Soap
Post - Witch Hazel and Captain’s Choice Sandalwood AS



Very nice work day 3 pass shave. I really like these Kai Sharp blades. They seem to combine the best parts of the Kai Mild and Feather Pro blades. It will be interesting to see how the different of the blades work.

 

Day 10 Feb Focus Slim Adj
Not the best shave today. Good results, smooth and close but not very comfortable. Tired today so chalking this one up to technique suffered from lack of sleep...

 

Still here guys, just super busy yesterday! I will post and get caught up tonight! I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!

 

Just joined so today's shave.

iKon Standard Head Bulldog handle
Astra SP (4 and last time as it gave me slight irritation in one spot and one nick but I was also going alittle fast)
Arko stick soap
Captain's Choice Sandalwood sample AS

Aside by the one nick and small spot of irritation, my 3 pass shave was DFS.

I dont know if these are any good but I am going to only use the SuperMax Titanium blades (unless someone here tells me not to cause they are real bad!

NOTE: Truth be told, I didnt notice any difference from this iKon razor from my Merkur 34C HD!

 

lazy...no shave wednesday for me.

Welcome to the 30 Day thread! Glad you joined us! what brush are you using? SuperMax is a fave of many. Blades are the most peronal of prefernces, go with what suits you.

 

I will smoke some Presbyterian in a 30 year old Kriswell Full Bent for you...keep the Faith!

 

You may get an opinion or two about a certain blade, for instance I will say loudly that Rapira Stainless (in the pink/blue/black striped wrapper) are horrible blades, but for the guy who uses them and loves them my opinion is meaningless. If a blade works great for you then don't change just because anyone tells you it's horrible. Horrible for me is different in many cases than it is for you! I plan to try the Super Max Titanium after I finish my current run of blade trials so I'd be interested to know how they work for you, just for comparison.

 

You bum.

 

it ain't midnight yet... check the haul in a few...

 

I have a VDH boar brush, a Perfecto badger brush and a wee scot best badger brush (havent used this one yet). Mainly switched back and forth from the other two. Regarding blade, I dont know what suits me yet! Too early to tell cause not enough shaves under my belt to notice any difference except ones that are dull or just dont work.

 

What are the blade brands on hand? I humbly suggest sticking to one brush for now as well. Let's see if you can build some uniform technique and match a blade to your face. Which razor do you plan to learn first?

 

Well, I kinda went psycho on blades but not all has come in so I have Astra SP's and SuperMax Titaniums. Already tried a couple of Astra's so I am gonna stick with the SuperMax's for 30 days! As far as razors, also got a couple. I started with the 38C HD which I decided was too heavy and not sure I liked the long handle, then tried the 34C which is my current one until I have access to this stainless iKon Standard, which I am going to use for the 30 days. I am drawn to the Stainless ones for some reason!

I will say that I didnt really feel any difference in my shave from my 34C and the iKon. Is that weird! Even the iKon seems alittle heavier and just a bit longer than the 34C HD.

 

Its been a busy two days for me. The tuesday shave was very good, but today's shave was much less so. My mole was nicked, and I had a weeper on my neck....WHAT!!?? I think that my lather started out too thin, and I changed up my prep. I will go back to the basic prep that has stood me in good stead through five different razors. To wit:
set razor and boar brush to soaking while in the hot shower.
wash face with goats milk soap
shampoo hair and face
conditioner on head and whiskers
noxzema on face pre shave
bowl lather cream of choice (with or without mbomb depending on mood)
2 or three pass: N-S ; XTG, ear to chin; and if necessary, S-N
witch hazel with or without mbomb
aftershave splash or balm
Tada!!

 

2/12/15 - Blade Focus/Face Lather February

This has been an extremely busy week and I woke up tired today. I decided to get on a roll of making 2 pass shaves to see if I can get acceptable results with the Weber. I know I can do it with a Gillette New, so lets see what the Weber can offer. With the New, my passes were both N/S so I thought I should try the same. Result- Socially Acceptable Shave with a little stubble left on the right jawline and lower neck. We'll see when the 5 O'Clock shadow arrives today. I also am breaking in a new soap sample with the Ogallala Bay Rum cedarwood. It did just fine, no surprises and a thick, slick and shiny lather resulted.

Prep: warm wash and Cornhusker's
Lather: OG BR
Brush: Vie-Long 13061M
Razor: Weber PH
Blade: Shark
Post: Ogallala Bay Rum

 

02/12/15 February Focus on Blades

Prep – MR GLO
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade – Kai Sharp (5)
Brush – RV with TGN Finest
Lather – Soap Commander Passion
Post - Witch Hazel and Captain’s Choice Bay Rum AS



Fantastic 3 pass shave this morning. I really like the Kai Sharp blade. I feel it might be the best I have tried thus far. As usual the Soap Commander was easy to load and lather. The scent matches nicely with the CC Bay Rum after shave.

 

Shave 11 Feb Focus Slim Adj
Much better shave today, very smooth and comfortable and REALLY liking the VEG. The longer it is in the glass bottle the better it gets