April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Cold Water Shave - Day 5 -4/12/15

I can't say that cold water shaving is better, just yet, but I am discovering that I am not violently opposed to it anymore. The results can't be kicked at and I guess that is all that really matters. I will do a cold water head shave later today when it warms up a bit more. What? You don't find a way to shave twice in one day?

 

@Troy M when are you going to start cold showers for prep?

 

I don't think that will happen on purpose.

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 12, 2015 - Week 3 Day 1
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB, 1959 Superspeed
Blade - (2) (1)
Post - Alum, Styptic, Cold Towel, Dr. Carver's Magnanimous Post Shave

Back to the CJB. Two weeks left to master this thing. I think taking the short break was helpful as the first pass went very well. My left hand is still less effective than my right but that is just the curse I have to bear. Second pass was better, but my neck is really the problem area. I have learned that my beard grows up at an angle on my neck which is why the Gillette slide works so well with a DE. With the CJB, though.....another story. I decided to try a diagonal downward path on the neck, almost a Gillette slide maneuver. It actually worked fairly well except maintaining angle is difficult. Picked up a small weeper on the right side, one on the left side under the earlier cut, and three under my chin. My plan was to do a third pass S-N on my neck but I bailed on that, loaded a Bic Chrome Platinum in my SS and finished my neck with that. The Bic was in respnse to @Jasman during a chat we had last night. It was very smooth and effective for the pass I used it on.

I'm feeling confident I can get this down, at least to the point of a decent two pass shave. If I accomplish that I'll call it a successful month!

 

Yeah? Good question!

Heh...

 

Late post again!

Arko April!!



April 11, Day 11, (day 4, blade 2), the mighty mighty MTO!

Day four went pretty well! It seems like day 2 through five are the best on these blades. Headed out to Denver this afternoon with Mrs. Samurai. Will catch a shave later tonight and report on a sure to be great Day 5. Keep on keeping on! And have a great Sunday!
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I like shaving so much now I honestly wouldn't mind twice a day!

 

The value of sticking to a razor is paying off! Nice work!

 

April 13 Plans

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Merkur 37C slant bar razor
Feather blade (day 2)
Kent BK8 silvertip badger brush
Arko & glycerin
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm

This will be the first time I've lathered Arko off a puck. I've got a puck airing out right now. For the last two weeks, I have used Arko as a shave stick using both my badger and boar brushes. The shaves have been great, but the boar brush seems to create a better face lather. If I don't skimp on the soap (glycerin), water, and brush time, the resulting lather is possibly the best (in terms of performance) I've ever had. The Arko scent also seems to fade with use.

Have a great week!

 

Thanks Chris. I appreciate your encouragement with the Arko. It is a crazy lather, for sure...and I know all about crazy.

 

I feel compelled to state that Arko contains tallow.

 

I solved the problem already without resorting or is subjecting myself to Arko I have three Barrister & Mann tallow soaps on the way. I decided to check off some of my 2015 want to try list.

 

Taking a cold shower would cure that.

 

It's all your fault. I am afraid of the stuff.

 

FB focus day 12:

Homemade PS Oil
WD Silvertip
Stirling Barber Shop (sample)
FB w /Gillette Silver Blue set on 5
Clubman AS

A rushed shave as we were running late for church, but it wasn't to necessary after yesterday's shave. Got another one in with my son, though. Still good results with the FB.

 

@Norcalnewb that's an awesome looking table!

 

I haven't shaved in several days and I'm really thinking about using this shavett my dad let me barrow....temptations

 

Give it a try. You're braver than I am.

 

My goal is to be using a straight before next year....baby steps I tell myself