April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I run nothing but the Super Pros in my Mongoose. Great pairing!

 

It is a great pairing just took me some time to come to realize it.

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 27, 2015 - Week 5 Day 2
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (2)
Post - Alum, Clubman

Two passes today, no nicks etc., although I skirted the area of the slice from yesterday. Finished with a pass of the SS/SM Platinum to clean up and moved on to work. Alum was quieter by a slight bit and overall a nice shave. Used both hands again without consideration for which side of the blade. Just chose the grip and angle that worked. The Feather Pro actually feels quite smooth to me and the sharpness allows for less clean up where I have the technique more dialed in. One more day and then a couple of easy shave days leading to Friday.

 

Same here. The sad part is that it cut a full pass off my shaves from 3 passes to 2. BUT I do enjoy them more now.

 

Arko April!!

SOTD for 26-27 April


Arko!!
Cadet OC
GSB (1-2)
Alum
TSD Iced Subzero AS Splash
The Veg

Super Busy! Finally back into a normal Denver state of mind. Gave up on Rapira PL for now. This razor is something less than automatic for me--maybe it deserves a thirty day rule! Very aggressive, smooth shave...but I scraped myself up a little in spots. Try again tomorrow!


​

 

Day two of the Feather Hi Stainless. These blades are to be respected! I have had two very close, irritation free shaves, but one sure needs to be careful with any movements around the face. I can see why people like this blade with a mild razor. Effortless clean comfortable shaves.

 

FB focus day 28:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Palmolive Classic
FB w/Rapira PL set on 8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Skin Bracer AS

I have really enjoyed this focus, as it has shown me how great these razors are. But, I am going to cut it short by a couple of days in preparation of my focus for next month. I want to get myself reset using my EJ for that focus, so the next two days will be spent there. Thanks for all the feedback this month. These focuses are great!

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 28, 2015 - Week 5 Day 3
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (3)
Post - Alum, Proraso

Final day (for now) for the CJB and I finished with a decent day. The slice from Sunday opened just a bit when I went over that area with the blade but nothing serious at all. The rest of the shave was good. A couple of minor nicks on the neck. Still I feel that I gained a lot of proficiency with this razor and will definitely be back with it and a straight of some kind (likely kamisori) in June. Alum reminded me that I finished a little rough and the Proraso did its burn too but I'm awake and ready to go!

 

04/28/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2
Blade –Feather Super Pro (3)
Brush –Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – Soap Commander Confidence
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra Sample



I have definitely found my blade of choice with the Mongoose. Fantastic 2 pass BBS shave this morning with only minor touch ups in my trouble areas. I have found the key for me with these blades is to start with the first pass ATG followed by a XTG pass and touch ups. Soap Commander Confidence soaped provided a slick and protective lather. Only 1 or 2 more shaves left in this tub. I will purchase other Soap Commander scents in the future. Followed up with witch hazel and Myrsol F/Extra from my sample pack.

 

Aggressive April - Day 19 (4/28/15)



Prep: Hot shower
Soap: Arko
Brush: Omega 13522
Razor: Cadet OC
Blade: Rapira PL
Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm
Scent: Tommy Bahama Very Cool

Nice close 2 pass XTG & ATG shave today. Some irritation and a few weepers, I know better than to go ATG 2 days in a row but went for it anyway. Killed my Stirling Barbershop sample so it's back to Arko for now.

 

Thanks to your April posts, I have a huge jump on my Mongoose May plans. They have been a huge help

 

Razor: Bluebeards Revenge
Blade: Wilkinson Black (Day 5)
Brush: 1305 Boar
Soap-Arko
A/S: Lucky Tiger

Day-24
Usually hot shower with a cold finish, however, today I'll soak in a hot bath in Epson Salts to easy my aching bones.
Been using my regular Bluebeards Revenge Cream. I got some Arko soap and will use it tonight for the first time. Changed brushes for this soap. A little stiffer boar brush. Focus has been going well and have learned much about me and shaving. I soak my brush now in and Old Spice coffee mug. I put the brush in a stand then insert the stand into hot water in my coffee mug. Works well as I don't like to get the handles wet. Just me I guess.

 

Razor: Bluebeards Revenge
Blade: Wilkinson Black (Day 6)
Brush: 1305 Boar
Soap-Arko
A/S: Lucky Tiger

First time using Arko and I liked it very much. Didn't build a very good lather after my first face paint, and added to much water before the second pass, but on the third pass I did very well. It's good to try something new and enjoy the experience. Thanks thirty focus.

 

I wholeheartedly agree. Clint is our resident Mongoose expert and teacher. I have also enjoyed and learned much from his posts.

 

Far from an expert. Just a nut that won't put the thing down.

 

April 28

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Merkur 37C slant bar razor
Feather blade (day 1)
Omega 98 Professional boar brush
Arko & glycerin
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm

A fantastic start to this Tuesday! I hope you all are having a great week!

 

I second that notion.

 

Matchlock?