April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Razor: Bluebeards Revenge
Blade: Wilkinson Black
Brush: WD Marble Handle Silvertip, 24/67
Cream: Bluebeards Revenge
A/S: Lucky Tiger

Day 4-Going to stick with the original 30 day focus.
Decided to try painting with the WD Silvertip tonight. Worked pretty good so I will try painting for awhile.
Everything went well tonight had a good shave.

 

How do you like the Bluebeard's cream? It was the first shave cream I used when I started wet shaving years ago. I remember the scent was addicting.

 

I like it very much. Great lather with it, and adds to a good shave. I don't have much experience with creams. This is the first cream I ever tried, and I only ordered it because I had ordered their razor.

 

April 7 Plans

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Merkur 37C slant bar razor
Feather blade (day 2)
Omega 10098 professional boar brush
Arko shave stick & glycerin
Two passes
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave balm

This week, I'm using Arko as a shave stick and lathering with a boar brush. Last week, I used my silvertip brush. So far so good, but it does take a bit longer to build a good lather with the boar brush. And try as I might, I only get enough lather for two passes. I'd like to have a bit more lather for some touch-ups. Either I need to work the lather longer or use more soap. I'll experiment this week to see where my problem lies.

Here are my initial impressions of Arko. There's no doubt that Arko performs well, and I understand why it has a loyal following. I'm simply indifferent to the scent -- after I've unwrapped it and allowed it to breathe for a few days. It's neither bad nor good. The good news for me is that the scent doesn't linger for long after my shave is complete. If I wanted a "luxury shave," this would be my last choice of the dozen or so soaps and creams I've used. However, if I was going on an overnight trip or needed a "work shave," I'd use Arko without hesitation for its solid performance and ease of use. Out of the dozen sticks I recently purchased, I've PIF'd seven of them. I have almost five sticks left, and that's enough to satisfy my curiosity about Arko for a long time.

Grace and Peace!

 

Is that the cream that retards beard growth over time?

 

Arko April!!!

6 April 2015. Day 6, blade 1 - The mighty mighty MTO (Weishi 9306)

Another good shave on Day 6 with this blade...still loving the fresh feeling of Arko!! 2 passes later...it was still automatic BFS!!

(I can tell the blade is dulling)

Have a Great Tuesday Gentlemen!

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...you're gonna be one of the MdC guys.

 

I'll probably be skipping a few shaves this week due to work schedule, at least for tonight anyways. On a positive note I'm really enjoying reading everybody's focus!

 

yes. It's intended for guys with thick, tough and hard to shave beard types. Supposed to thin out the heard.

 

Vie-Long 12705B
Le Pere Lucien Traditionel
Merkur 39c
Voskhod (1)
Proraso AS

After a lazy easter weekend the 39c took care of a 3 day beard with ease in 2.5 passes for a DFS. Still trying to catch the right approach angle for those pesky few hairs in the lower neck area. Voskhod, while not the sharpest blade, is very smooth. Great shave with a menthol monday themed finish.

 

Pre Shea Moisture Shave Butter Cream
Ever-Ready 300 Silver Tip
FB w/Rapira PL set on 4
Stirling Cocoa Forest
Clubman Vanilla

Last day with this blade, and again it was a good shave. I am going to change up blades tomorrow, probably try out a Gillette Silver Blue.

 

04/7/2015
Prep – MR GLO
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Pro (5)
Brush – Rubberset 400 with Omega Boar
Lather – Soap Commander Confidence
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Sandalwood AS



Another very good 3 pass shave this morning. I am enjoying reading everyone's post this month.

 

There term is, "scientifically proven marvel that within a few months use actually reduces the appearance of hair which in turn makes your shave closer and more comfortable, decreasing the length and density of stubble which in turn makes your shave closer and more comfortable."

 

Aggressive April - Day 4



Prep: Hot shower w/ Grandpa's Pine Tar
Soap: TSD Barber Shoppe shave stick
Brush: Omega 13522
Razor: Cadet OC
Blade: Sputnik
Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm
Scent: Tommy Bahama Very Cool

Same as yesterday, right down to the picture. 2 passes, XTG and ATG today though. Going ATG with this thing is tough. Think I may try a different blade tomorrow.

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 7, 2015 - Week 2 Day 3
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - VDH Boar
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (2)
Post - Cold Water, Dr. Carver's Magnanimous Post Shave Balm

After yesterday's break to heal up I returned to the CJB and ProGuard blade. I mixed the Arko a little wetter than normal, taking some advice from @Keithmax, and got down to business. The wetter lather helped but the Feather is just a beast, even guarded. First pass produced a couple of weepers, second pass a couple more, and the third pass was with my SS and Voskhod to try and get the neck done. Skipped the alum due to my knowledge of how bad it was going to burn today, cold water rinse that closed up all the bleeders, and added Dr. Carver's to cool it all off. Just had to use a touch of alum to a nick on my right cheek near the ear.

That's it for Feather blades and me. When I tried them in my DE trials I hated them, and found the Kai to be much better for me. I'm finding the same thing with the Artist Club, at least in the beginning. Going back to a Kai MG tomorrow and will work up to the Kai Captain by the end of the month. I'll keep the Feather Pros for now just to try one once my technique is dialed in but I'm definitely not a fan of the Feather.

Spending a month with the CJB leaves all of these guys out of the picture. A quick look of the blade stash.

 

@NCoxSTL, I feel your pain. My cut on my chin from Sunday is scabbed up enough that I didn't want to shave two days later. It was quite a bit deeper than I thought. I also had my entire face get really irritated during and after my last shave. I think I might not get along with Arko. Going to try it again tomorrow, and see if it was the soap or not.

 

How you heal soon.

 

Well you can hope it is the soap so you can have a quick fix or it's on to the next suspect. For all the mystique of Feathers I just don't see it, and definitely don't feel it. Another great example of YMMV.

 

I suggest you try a spot test on the underside of your forearm before you try it on your face again. The next reaction might be more severe.

 

Razor: Bluebeards Revenge
Blade: Wilkinson Black
Brush: WDC 3 Olivewood Silvertip, 24/67
Cream: Bluebeards Revenge
A/S: Lucky Tiger

Day 5-Hot shower with straight cold water finish.
Hot Bamboo facecloth to face.
Changed my brush back to my Olivewood WDC3, WD Silvertip 24/67, deeper set and a little stiffer brush helped produce a better lather.
Had to do four passes s the WD Marble Handle 24/67 didn't lather well on the first two passes.
Solved the area of concern and finished with a good close shave.