JUNE 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I sent JoAnna a PM. Thanks. I apologize for the error. I have seen other thing you do at TSD and they should be recognized.

 

June 7th, SOTD (Shave 5 of this focus)
One days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Dubl Duck Satin Wedge with Obnoxious Orange scales
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel Horsehide/ Linen (20 on linen, 50 on leather)
Soap: Maggard Orange Menthol
Brush: Eveready 100T re-knotted with 22mm TGN Synthetic
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Maggard Orange Menthol


Did a one pass shave today and called it good. Managed to cut myself four times with the spike, and stab myself once more. Was trying to rush my shave, as my bride and I are celebrating our 7th anniversary. Note to self: If in a hurry, don’t grab this razor. I only grabbed it because I thought the picture would be good and it would match the Orange Menthol soap. Did an XTG pass, and ended up with a SAS.


Going out of town tomorrow. Packed two straights, a DE, soap, cream, and a couple of aftershaves. I think I have my entire shaving kit this time.

 

I discovered Rye (Canadian Whisky) about 30 years ago when my soon to be father-in-law from Canada introduced me to it. Most all brands of Canadian whisky use a small amount of rye in the process.

(Apologies for hijacking this thread, more in the Good Life thread.)

 

June 8 Plans

MdC facial soap
Muhle R41 (2013)
Feather blade (day 2)
Omega Pro 98 boar brush
D.R. Harris Almond shave cream
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave balm

Wow! The R41 loaded with a new Feather blade provided a terrific first shave today. Compared to my other DE's, I was more aware of the blade edge moving across my face. I had no irritation, but I felt a slight stinging sensation for maybe 30 minutes afterward. I look forward to tomorrow's shave. My goal is to achieve close, comfortable, and nick-free two-pass shaves with this wolf in sheep's clothing during June.

Have a great week!

 

Adam, congratulations to you and your Bride on your 7th anniversary! I have enjoyed following your SR journey. You have made a tremendous amount of progress over the last couple of months, and you have a nice collection of straights. Have safe travels (and shaves ) this week.

 

June Open Comb Focus
Day 6

Prep: Coconut oil, Hot shower
Razor: Gillette New SC
Blade: Voskhod
Brush: Omega 10083 Boar Brush
Lather: Nivea Sensitive Shaving Cream
Post: Cold rinse, Alum, Witch hazel, Proraso Green

Flawless shave today. I'm getting better at the neck area which I've always had a tougher time when using the Merkur 34C. I can barely feel any stubble left.

 

So the idea of a two-pass shave is something I've been seeing a lot of on this thread. As a newbie, I know the importance of learning the 3-pass system (With, Across and Against) tailored to the grain of ones whiskers. I will keep practicing that to gain proficiency. But,

Shaving my light beard everyday, (and having it be a much closer shave than I experienced with carts) I'm tempted to try two-pass shaves at some point.

My question is for those who do two-pass - which direction do you typically apply? I assume you apply the two that most benefit your face - i.e., closeness, least irritation, etc. ? (I'd be tempted to do XTG and ATG.)
Thanks,
RT

 

June 7 - Shave 4
Prep: Hot shower, Nivia Face wash
Brush: Omega 48
Preshave: Stirling Mentha Preshave oil
Soap: TSD Lanolin Bay Rum
Razor: Heljestrand No 24, French point, 5/8"
Growth: 1.5 days
Post: Cold water splash, alum, TSD Milk sub-zero AS, Nivia post shave balm.
Passes: WTG, XTG, WTG
DE: Gillette SS with Wilkinson (6)

Super excited to use my Swede this morning, but not feeling all that well, I didn't want cut myself so I was ok not getting the best shave ever. First thing I noticed about this blade was how quiet it was compared to my other blades. While the razor performed very well, I was not able to get comfortable with shaky hands and sharp blade against my face so I didn't push it at all.

I very much love the TSD soap, great scent easily produces thick slick lather. I'm going to try shaving tomorrow on a daily basis - I think. Depends on how much growth I can muster up.

Cheers,
Eric

 

You're right - everyone is different. I used to perform daily three-pass shaves, but that caused some minor irritation and razor bumps. On most days, I now perform two-pass shaves plus some touch-ups around my mouth and chin. I have a light beard, the shaves are nearly as close, and my skin feels better. My first pass is generally WTG, and my second pass is XTG on my cheeks and a combination of XTG/ATG on my neck. I'm always tempted to perform a third pass, but most of the time I don't. Good luck, and keep us posted on what you decide.

 

I do a WTG followed by a ATG pass. I have to do a little clean up on the neck usually as well. Seems to work for me.

 

Cold water shave focus day 8:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Stirling Glacial Spearmint
Gillette Slim
Stirling Unscented PSB
Osage Rub

What a cold shave this morning. The cold water and Stirling Glacial nearly froze my face off, but I am near BBS and no irritation. Ready for my Monday morning.

 

06/08/2015
Razor – Gillette Red & Black New Deluxe
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HMW
Lather – Catie’s Bubbles Santal Sensuelle
Post - Witch Hazel & Captain’s Choice Sandalwood



Fantastic 3 pass BBS shave this morning. I really enjoyed using my New LC last week. However, I feel like I like using this one even more. Catie's Bubbles as always was super easy to lather. Finished off with CC Sandalwood and I'm ready for the day. My appointment with the Orthopedic about my back got moved up to today. Let's see what he has to say.

 

6/08/15 - A Month of Proraso!!!

In 1921 Gillette started making a Single Ring and Old Type with a thicker head and cap. I've seen it called a Model 102A.
This is one of those. A great shaver. Light and nimble and it didn't seem so inclined to bite like my 1918 Old Type. Provided a clean BBS Shave.

Proraso Red is a bit different from the green. My favorite Sandalwood though. A good deep scent. But missed the menthol after a week using the green.

Proraso Red Soap
Semogue Italian Barber LE
1921 Gillette Single-Ring
Pol-Silver Blade (1)
Fine American Blend

 

I typically just start at my ears and shave downward for both passes.

 

Long before I was doing wetshaving, I figured out that the cartridges didn't pull so bad if I went down my face first (N/S, mostly WTG) then up my face (S/N, mostly ATG). This also worked great for DEs. I have only recently started doing XTG on my chin and neck. I also have a couple of patches of hair on my neck that go all kinds of directions. Those are the spots that I usually do touch ups on. BTW, the touch ups I do are typically ATG. I always get the closest shaves with ATG.

 

Day 2 of 5; 30-Day JUNE Rule
I tried something slightly different this morning—using two razors to split the shave. Along with the big Joseph Rodgers (bottom razor pictured below), I test-drove a newly-honed Genco (top razor pictured below) that'll be shipping out tomorrow to its owner @txskimo .
Big difference in the feel of using this two razor—the Genco was quick and nimble (round-tipped meant reduced risk of puncture or slice), very noisy with good tactile feedback. The heavily-bladed Rodgers required greater care and diligent attention to the blade edge and point. The Genco a far easier razor to use so for a SR beginner, it's a good choice. Very smooth results with minimal effort.
The Rodgers weight and unusual blade shape make it considerably more challenging and the use of this razor requires some skill and dexterity to achieve über-smooth results.
The IK shave cream provided good slick lather throughout the shave. Overall a DFS achieved with two different razors.

 

Late post Day 6 - 7 May 2015

30 Day Rule with a Cadet OC!


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Sorry guys for being so absent this weekend bu life was kinda busy. I finished out blade 2 day 3, and was able to get to DFS territory. For the record, I find Williams soap tricky. @NCoxSTL was right, it is inconsistent day-to-day. The temps here in CO are finally rising after basically five weeks of rain and snow, ironic that I picked Williams for the heart of the mosquito season! I hope to be back on track with my TSD readings later today. I hope everyone had a great weekend and is ready for another great week!

Happy Monday!


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You should try 2 pass. I also have a light beard and have settled into that method. I go WTG, then XTG, maybe touch up.

 

June 8, 2015

30 Day RULE - “Monday Musings - Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Lather, Rinse....”

Prep: Lucky Tiger Lemon Facial Cleansing Cream
Morning Hot Shower
Pre-Shave Oil: The Art of Shaving
Soap: Arko
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Gillette Gold Tech “Fat Handle”
Blade: Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword Stainless (India) (2)
Mustache/Beard Trim: Schick Golden 500
Aftershave: Proraso Aftershave Splash Green



Performed a 3-pass shave to continue consistency of the focus. Todays' shave was just as spectacular as the shaves I've been experiencing for the last week. After a lifetime of carts, not only am I getting better shaves, my face feels so much better.

As some have observed, I'm considering revising my plan and do some alternating between a 3 and 2-pass shave for the following reasons: I have a light beard and fairly soft whiskers. Until taking up with a DE the past month, I never shaved 7 days a week. Shaved daily for work, but frequently skipped one or both days on a weekend. Never had any skin problems - like major irritation, razor bumps, etc.

The weather has been unusually high in Seattle for this time of year (mid-high 80s; historically high 60s, low 70s). So I've noticed an ever so slight irritation on my lower neck towards the end of the day. This morning I actually found a couple of razor bumps. (again, very rare for me)

So I'll lay blame on the weather, acknowledge that my skin doesn't need 3 passes every day plus weekends and revise my 30-day focus ever so slightly.

I appreciate all the advice people in this thread provided since I posted the question of a 2-pass system last night. It helped me make the decision.

I'll start tomorrow with a 2-pass and make the call each day beyond that as necessary (2 vs. 3 pass). Will probably do WTG, XTG and touch up of ATG as needed. Will also take a day or two off on the weekends as well and see how it goes.

Thanks again for reading and your advice.
Cheers!
- RT

 

June 8 - Shave 5
Prep: Hot shower, Nivia Face wash
Brush: Omega 48
Preshave: Stirling Mentha Preshave oil
Soap: TSD Lanolin 2x ice signature scent
Razor: Heljestrand No 24, French point, 5/8"
Growth: 1 day
Post: Cold water splash, alum, TSD Milk sub-zero AS, poraso post shave balm.
Passes: WTG, XTG, WTG

After a long swim, i figured if give it another go - especially since my hands weren't shaking like yesterday. Swede performed very well, I think I'm really going to like it. Probably finish out this week with it.
Cheers,
Eric