May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

If you have the same experience I did with the 7am you may be glad to reload a Shark!

 

Day one Schick Blades are super smooth... That was my takeaway. I need to pay attention to rate at which the blade dulls. It's more gradual than on a thin DE blade.

 

May 13th , SOTD (Shave 7 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Wade and Butcher 5/8 Square point (pre- 1890)
Strop: Chromexcel Horsehide and Linen
Soap: Barrister & Mann's Bay Rum
Brush: Ever-Ready with TGN Synthetic Knot
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman w/ TSD M-Bomb

No training wheels today! Three pass plus touch up with only the straight. Didn’t use a DE. No nicks or weepers, and ended up with a DFS. After watching the video @HolyRollah posted I changed up how I was shaving with the straight. Rather than 1-2 inch long passes with the blade, I did half to three quarter inch passes, just trying to scrape the lather off. Took a little longer, but worked well. Lots of audible feedback to make sure I kept the angle right.

Got a great lather today, using the synthetic brush. Thank you for the video, @wristwatchb I think I just wasn’t loading enough soap into the brush before I bowl lathered, then I added too much water. The video helped. I sure hope I can keep getting shaves like this. If I can get it down to two passes, I will hit my goal for the month.

 

Blade Focus Day 13:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Kiss My Face Lavender SC
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Bluebird blade
Stirling Unscented PSB
Skin Bracer

Day 2 on the Bluebird, and still like it. It may not be quite as sharp as the Feather on some of the other blades, but it is smooth.

 

Day#12 of the 30-Day Focus
..and Day 5 with the Otto Deutsch Straight Razor.

An early morning shave in which I was very focused on efficient blade movement, paying strict attention to the blade angle, length of stroke, and most importantly, anticipating and putting to memory the direction of my whisker growth. After several hundred SR shaves, I have a pretty good idea about my beard growth and have come to know those 'trouble' spots. Straight razor shaving, unlike the majority of DE razor shaving (with the possible exception of the Mühle R41—ask @TheFiveO ), requires the user to really pay attention throughout the shave. This intense focus is part of the appeal to me about SR shaving. You get into a 'zone,' tuning out distractions as you navigate the blade along the facial contours. The payoff from all this effort is a usually a DFS (or possibly the occasional BBS shave) and a bit of pride in a job well done!
Three-passes this morning, with some touch-up under the jawline. Near BBS results…..and no blood.

 

05/13/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Super Pro (1)
Brush –Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – Catie’s Bubbles Santal Sensuelle
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Sandalwood AS



What a difference a new blade can make in the shave. After 14 shaves I was still getting great results but having to work harder. Not today. Loaded a fresh Super Pro up in the Goose and had a fantastic 2 pass near BBS shave. Unlike DE blades these don't fall off quickly but with use just become less efficient. I am happy with 14 shaves on a blade and see no reason to push it beyond that point. The Catie's Bubbles was very easy to lather and proved to be very slick. So slick that I was able to touch up a couple of areas with just water and the residual slickness left from the soap. Finished off with Captain's Choice Sandalwood which pairs well with this soap and I'm ready for the day.

 

Aggressive Apri...errrr May? - Day 30 (5/13/15)



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

Last day of my 30 Day! Tried a Rubie for the first time. 2 pass WTG & XTG. Jury is still out, decent shave though. Probably run everything the same tomorrow then be looking to mix things up a little. Got a G1 Injector to try out soon as I grab some blades for it.

Also, I think I missed posting yesterday. Pretty much everything the same, just with a GSB and a slightly better shave.

 

I am struggling getting a decent slick lather with the TSD Wheat cream and the badger brushes. I may try a synthetic tomorrow with it to see if it makes a difference. I didn't have any issues with the badgers and the St. James cream, so it may be operator error.

 

Troy, this is the method I've found that works best for me with creams and badger brushes.

I soak the brush while I shower then shake most of the water out. For me it works best to just use my finger and smear some cream on both cheeks using about the same amount I would use to bowl lather. Then begin working the brush over both cheeks and face lathering. Several times, I will slowing add a little water to the brush. I just use the the palm of my hand cupped and drip water into the center of the brush. This allows me to dial in the water ratio and get the results I am looking for. I use this same basic method with badger brushes and soaps as well. The one thing I have noticed is that each badger brush behaves a little different. By starting out with a dryer brush, I able better able to maintain consistent results over the different badger brushes I use. Hope this helps some.

 

This will be my goal tonight if I shave. Oh to shave like Lynn and Kevin (@HolyRollah) . I'm now debating growing just a handlebar stache or handlebar goatee. I might hold off on the next shave until this weekend so I can make nice defined lines on the goatee/mustache. Does this change my focus for the month? No - the tools will be the same so I'm calling it good.
E-

 

No shave today but I might try before I go to bed tonight. I got off work early and as I was changing the oil in my wife's and I cars I got a sudden rush of anxiety. No point in trying to shave without a clear head so I'll see if it passes or just try again tomorrow.

 

The rules apply to gear, not shaving pattern. Carry on!

 

Bad practice is worse than no practice. Hope you feel better later!

 

Brush Focus: Day 13/30
Brush: Frank Shave Finest Badger 20/45, Faux Ebony Handle (travel brush)
Gillette Super Speed, A3 Flare Tip (1955)
Gillette Platinum Blade (6)
Bowl: KO Shave
Soap: Jack's Soap
AS: Osage Rub
Old Spice Coffee Mug.

As unhappy as I was with the Frank Shave Brush Beechwood handle Best Badger, I'm pleased to say I am very happy with today's brush. This brush loads to the hilt and applies lather by the boat load. Simply add a little water along the way and your in for a great face lather. Scritch is not present with this brush or if there is I couldn't feel it. YMMV. This brush stays in the rotation and will be used on a regular basis. Blade still functioning well and another great shave. Three passes no clean up needed.

 

I have been using Osage as a scalp tonic. I really enjoy the menthol blast, good stuff!

 

That is one of the reasons I like it also.

 

Take care of yourself! There's plenty of time to shave later. I hope you feel better.

 

May 13

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Weber PH
Feather blade (day 2)
Rudy Vey Shavemac two-band silvertip
MdC scented shave soap
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Alt-Innsbruck

I finished my Mayhem shaves with the MdC, and it worked very well for me once I dialed in the water/soap ratio. Next up is Le Père Lucien!

I celebrated some shaving "firsts" this week. I picked up a new 2013 R41 head and some new-to-me razors, including an I3 Slim (a very generous PIF from @Bristle Me), a G2 (birth year) Fatboy, and an E2 Fatboy. I can already tell that these Gillettes have some heft and a very nice feel in the hand. This is my first foray into vintage DEs, and I look forward to trying them. Photos to follow.

 

I found the LPC soap to be very similar to MdC. Very nice soap! Profitez de la différence !

 

MdC. Hype or really good soap? Does the quality justify the price point in your mind?