May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

You and @Drygulch really have made a lot of improvements and I feel the same way about dropping DE. Although I think I'll keep a couple around I'm not sure how often I'll bring them out. It's crazy to think how intimidating it was to begin with, heck DEs were intimidating to me at first, and now I look forward to using a straight. Hopefully you can keep RAD under control!

 

It might be too late for that...

 

Ha, thanks! This month has been very interesting in a variety of ways. I enjoy watching all those new to straights learning the process—the ups and downs...in full public view! Everyone can learn something from these experiences.
When I was learning to shave SR-style, it was a more of a private ordeal that I only shared in PMs with my SR mentor, Bruce @Stroker
Here's some sage advice he shared with me a couple of years ago as I was just beginning to learn to straight razor shave.
I though I'd share it here as there is much truth in Bruce's observations:

"The time frame it takes to become proficient at straight shaving is entirely up to the individual's realization level as he experiences the different aspects of shaving with a straight and advances to the next level along his journey. There is the no pressure (a light hand) required, the proper shaving angle that must be maintained on the ever changing contour of your face as your stroker advances. There is the realization of using the different areas of the blade to access the different facial areas and contours. All these seem hard to fathom now but will become obvious once you are actually involved with the shaving process. The enjoyment that you achieve once you have mastered the art of straight shaving is a personal pleasure that others cannot understand until they reach it themselves. It is the feeling of personal accomplishment and the feeling of confidence in your own ability that is so rewarding.

When I started to straight shave I also was overwhelmed with all the advice and videos on the web. It all seemed so technical and precise I thought I'd never be able to do it. Then I thought of my Grandpa on the farm back in Illinois. He was in his nineties and shaved with his straight razor in a dish pan on the back porch. He would lather up the shave soap in his mug with some hot water and boar brush, paint it on and strop his razor a few times and ....shave... no big deal! He had wrinkles and sagging skin on his neck and really didn't give thought to what he was doing. I thought to myself; sometimes we make things way too complicated! Just do it!"​

 

I have learned a ton this month. I haven't touched a DE razor in a few weeks, and have been really enjoying my shaves. Having three of us going through the learning curve, I think has helped all of us. I don't think we would have figured out some stuff as quickly without it. Having our own SR guru on board has been awesome. I keep reminding myself of this:

My grandfather shaved the same way.

I also like to look at the amazing razors that are out there.

I started the month with two shavers. Bought another one off a FB group. Damaged the edge on one of the first two. Bought three project straights from the lawn mower repair shop. Won another razor on a different forum. Sent the damaged one out to be re-honed. Bought another one off a vintage site. Traded a slim for another one. Current count including those in the mail- five shavers, four projects. (But I don't want to talk about hones/ rocks yet.)

RAD? What RAD? Its not a disorder if I can stop any time I want, right? I am even trading DE razors for SRs, so am actually ending up with less razors.

 

Blade Focus Day 27:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Chiseled Face Sherlock
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Astra SS
Stirling Unscented PSB
TOBS Sandalwood AS

Day 4 on this blade, and I noticed a little irritation this morning. Still very pleased with these blades over all. Tomorrow I will swap to my last blade for this focus.

 

Brush Focus: Day 27/30
Brush: WDC-3, Olivewood handle, Silvertip Badger (Whipped Dog), Deep set (22mm), 24/67
Gillette - K-4 (1965) Slim Adjustable. (5).
Gillette Platinum Blade (6)
Soap: Razo-Rock, Don Donato.
A/S: Osage Rub
Old Spice Coffee Mug.(soak brush)

Outstanding shave brush. It will be hard to place on the 30th day, but right now I would say third. Gathers tons of lather. I have 3 passes today and I could of had 7 there is that much lather in this brush. Razor-Rock is an excellent shave soap, and the Osage Rub is a great finish. This focus has been excellent for me as I have been concentrating on the brush and have been unconsciously taking less pressure of the razor and it has been gliding better and giving me some of the best shaves I have ever had.

 

Day 27 - 27 May 2015

30 Day Rule with a Schick!



Day 27 - I think I have totally gotten the hang of this injector. It is slightly more aggressive than the previous injector I had used, and I really like the skin feel it leaves behind. I had never really gotten to perfect BBS on the upper lip area, but this razor handles it like a champ. It's pretty much automatic 2 pass every day, alum feels good. Now I am trying to figure out what the exact plan is for June, other than Williams...new thread will open tomorrow, be sure to look for it and spread the word.

Have a great Wednesday night!

​

 

That's what I need to do. Trade! I have 10 out so de I can part with and a couple of gem micros as well... That's a fine idea Adam!

 

Great picture. I like the map.

 

I am making myself undo all of my DE RAD before I catch SR RAD. It will happen someday...this month has been really cool watching you two and @txskimo and @HolyRollah interact and share your experiences with SR. I catch myself looking for SR tips even though I don't own one...yet. Nice work this month gentlemen! Thanks for "growing up in public" on an SR, it's been a joy to read about!

 

Thank you!

 

I agree! It pulled me right into the image.

I even began reading the ingredient let on the soap.
Interesting that they spelled 'Avocado Oil' "Avocadao Oil"—unless they simply enjoy exotic spelling down there in Rancho Cucamonga...

 

May 27

MdC facial soap
Weber PH
Feather blade (day 3)
Kent BK4 silvertip
Kiss My Face shave cream
Two passes plus touch-ups
Unrefined shea butter, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, and Nivea Sensitive post-shave balm

Another simple but very good shave. KMF is a winner! I now get three days out of a Feather blade with almost never getting weepers or nicks. My technique seems to have improved over time. I've also learned that my skin favors two-pass shaves. I start seeing bumps and irritation after a couple of days of three-pass shaves. I sometimes sneak in a three-passer, but most days I'm good with two. I love my Kent brushes, but they sure are floppy compared to my boar and my two-band silvertip.

Happy Wednesday!

 

Thank you as well!

 

I get people trying the Same razor and blades along with same soap and brush however when one is using a straight razor the technique is totally different but yet the same from one straight to another so what does one gain?...I remember back in the day it was called "practice" please enlighten me.
Thanks.

 

My alum came in the mail today so I'm pretty excited to see how it helps with being able to stretch the skin. Now the only decision is to shave tonight or wake up early before my sons award ceremony to shave....decisions......

 

Mitch, I can only speak from my own experiences in using 'only' 4 razors this month in consecutive seven day periods. I have found that although my technique may not change, I am beginning to notice the subtle differences between each of the four razors. Theses differences may be minor and probably would go unnoticed if I rotated a new razor in every day or so. But after a week's use, I can detect the change in how the blade feels, how it responds to my touch (how much pressure) when I switch out to another make. All the razors I'm using this months are VERY similar—all full-hollow German-made carbon steel blades of approximately the same width. They are all vintage razors (1930-1960 range) and were all honed by me. The good news is every razor I've used has given me exceptional shaving experiences.
Next time I do this, I'll probably introduce a greater variance (Sheffield steel, USA steel, wedge, larger widths, smiling edge, etc) just to keep things all the more interesting.

 

Not sure what to say. A thirty day focus is about practicing. When I started this month I had five straight razor shaves under my belt, and 21 with my Feather AC. With a DE the skills are the same to operate a Tech or a Slim adjustable, but the experience can be very different. I get the same with my various straights. Similar, but not the same. The Idea behind this thead is to practice with something for a month to get to know it. It's also fun to talk about it with others.

 

So far I can only tell the difference in my Wosty's and my other 2 shavers...my Wosty's shave my whiskers like a hot knife thru butter...my Bresnick gives very close shave but it will come to a sudden stop just above my jaw line (for some reason my facial hair is more coarse above and below my jaw)
And my dovo is a half hollow and it shaves pretty good but not nearly as nice as my others for some reason I can't get it to hold a sharp edge very long I am always polishing it on chromox.

Maybe I will give this "30 day trial" a try...maybe I can figure out why my Bresnick does what it does,although I have notice since I am stroping during my shaves all 4 of my razors perform much better.

 

Actually yes I do between you and Kevin I have a better understanding I just didn't think it worked with SR's like it does with DE's.