July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

30 Day Rule - July 2015
July 5th
Razor - CJB/Gillette New LC
Blade - (4) (2 1/3)
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water splash, Alum, The Mighty Veg

Ok, here we go. This is my long shave day as I shave my head on Sunday. That went extremely well. My setup for that is VDH Deluxe soap, VDH Boar and Merkur 23c with Astra SP. Never any problems as long as I'm awake enough.

Finished that shave, took my shower, then got ready for the CJB. I took some time to use a hot wet towel after the shower to hydrate my face further and splashed hot water on before the MWF lather. I seem to have the Fat dialed in with the 48. Love the feel and the performance, especially with such a sharp blade on the way. I started the first pass on my right cheek as always and changed technique just a bit. Shortened the strokes and paid very close attention not to increase the angle. Made it down the cheek with no injuries and it felt good. Same with the neck. On to the left side and that backward grip thing.

Took my time setting the blade in place and again used shorter strokes. Ended the first pass in great shape, no cuts/nicks etc., and both sides were about even on result. Lathered up for the XTG passes and managed to hit all hand positions without much hassle and finished the second pass with my one cut on the right cheek reopened just a tad but overall it was a CCS. Best overall result after two passes so far this time around. Grabbed the New LC and did a complete third pass to finish down to DFS. Ironically I opened the cut a bit more with that razor but nothing major. It should heal up within the month.

Alum was again very critical of my efforts but it was a nice, all over, even burn with a couple of hotspots from close calls. There are a couple of spots on my jawline and right on my goatee line that seem to have close calls. Rather than cool it off I went ahead and hit it with the Veg. Just wanted to smell good today so the extra burn was worth it! All in all a better day than yesterday, probably the best so far. And so it continues.......

 

July 5, 2015

30-Day Focus - Blade Trials for Gillette Tech

Weekly Trial for: Personna Red,
Derby Green, Gillette Silver Blue, Voskhod

Hot Shower
Pre-Shave Oil: Gingers Garden
Soap: TSD SubZero
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Gillette Tech “Fat Handle”
Blade: Personna Red (1)
RazoRock Alum
After Shave: Florida Water



Two-day growth, first shave for these trials.

WTG - Disappointed with sharpness, left a ton of whiskers in place.
ATG - "ok RT, really focus on technique" - Ah, much better!
XTG - Bingo! very few touch ups necessary.

I always try to wait some hours before I post...three hours later - this is an excellent shave. Either I flopped on technique on my first pass or this may be a good blade for an everyday two-pass shave for me.

First time using anything other than Arko, which worked very well in my 30-day Rule, but the TSD soap was equally good on the shave, but the scent, lather and feel will lead me on my way to the wide, wide world of soaps.

ALSO - my first day using Florida Water (PIF from @Bama Samurai )
Mrs.F had serious doubts with first sniff of the bottle. One hour after application - "hmmm, that has possibilities."

Cheers!
- RT

 

Thanks for the kind word Doug.

 

Razor: Gillette Flare Tip (A3)
Blade: Feather (3)
Brush: WDC 5 (William Douglas Carey 5) Whipped Dog knot Boar/ Green Handle
Soap: Proraso
A/S: Gillette gel
Day 5.

New boar brush. I have soaped it up a few time to help break it in, it helped. The Whipped Dog knot has been the best boar knot I used for the first time. I added weight to the handle to raise the knot. DFS tonight. Hope everyone recovered from July 4th festivities. I think I eat to much.

 

Stainless blade focus continues. I just finished a head shave with the pictured setup - shave #4 with a Gillette Nacet (2nd head shave with the same blade) and it was a great shave. 2 passes and my head is CueBallSmooth (CBS) and I feel great. Iced the Clubman Vanilla for a few minutes while I shaved and the cool aftershave felt good. One little pimple on the back of my neck was revealed and my wife helped apply the styptic pencil and stop the tiny little flow of blood. She thought it seemed magic.

 

July 6 Plans

MdC facial soap
G-3 Gillette Fat Boy
Feather blade (day 3, setting 3)
Omega Pro 98 boar brush
A.J. Murray's Lincoln shave soap
Two passes
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm

Two shaves in, I love everything about my new-to-me Gillette Fat Boy! I also find myself admiring the beautiful vintage razors on TSD even more than before. I'm still dialing in the A.J. Murray's shave soap. The lather is a bit thin and short-lived using my badger brush, so I'll try my Omega Pro 98 boar brush tomorrow and load it like it owes me money. If that doesn't work, I'll rub the puck on my face thanks to inspiration from @CyanideMetal .

It's hard to believe that we have already turned the corner into the second half of 2015. Have a blessed week!

 

Sunday focus shave 4.

No time for a picture since I have to leave for a round of golf. 3 passes and a clean up and just one weeper, light irritation and still just short of DFS. I hope a start getting closer shaves sooner. The time is coming when I will need to add the ATG pass. I still have more stubble after 3 passes with a SR than with a DE.

Proraso Pre Shave
AoS Sandalwood tallow
Shvaemac zebra beehive silver tip
Dove Bismark 2
Dry Gulch strop
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Spieck AS
Nuhle ASB
Dior Cologne Royal

 

The CJB is the most aggressive dangerous razor I have ever used. I learned if I feel uncomfortable to put it down and back away slowly. She can be a cruel mistress. I will add it back to my to my rotation next month after I improve with my straights.

 

Especially when loaded with the Feather Pro. I'll get her tamed though.

 

Menthol Monday
July 6, 2015

Mongoose Shave #10
Shower, Mystic Water Soap-Yemaya, Neutrogena Face Wash
B-3 Mongoose with UFO Godzilla Red Bronze
Feather Professional #3
Doug Korn Prototype Florescent Amber 2 Band
Proraso Green Tub
Alum Block, Dickinson’s +Menthol, Gold Bond Green Lotion
Chilled Proraso Aftershave Lotion

Two passes to a near BBS shave today. The DK two band churned the Proraso into a mound of rich & slick lather. The Feather Pro blade is mighty smooth. I’m impressed with shave the Mongoose gives. I can’t wait to get a lighter handle for it.

​

 

Then you will be able to shave with any razor.

 

Mark another great pic. How's it going with the Mongoose? With 10 shaves in you should be getting the big boy dialed in.

 

07/06/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (4)
Brush – Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel and Fine L’Orange Noir



A great 2 pass work morning shave this morning. Finished with a splash of Fine L'Orange and I am ready for Monday. I think.

 

I just love that handle.

 

30 day rule
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Ladas blade
Slim Adjustable set to 7

3 passes


Today I reduced the time I spend loading my brush from a count of 5 to a count of 4. There was still enough MDC on the brush to make enough for 3 passes, but it would have been a little tight if I tried for a 4 pass shave. I will be going back to a 5 count tomorrow.

 

No shave today. The cut I keep reopening needs a day to settle down and heal. Fortunately the First Aid kit is well stocked. Have a great Monday!

 

Not bad today. I may have to work on trying to hone my other sr

 

July 6th, SOTD (Shave 4 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: “Caveman” Cattaraugus Cutlery Co small razor
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel Horsehide/ Linen (10 linen/ 10 leather pre and post)
Soap: Maggard’s Orange Menthol
Brush: Spalted Maple Brush with Badger Knot
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Maggard’s Orange Menthol

Was running late today, so my goal was simply a SAS, with two passes and no touch up. I only loaded my brush for about 5 seconds, and had enough lather for both passes and then some. Did a N/S pass and a S/N pass. Managed to set the blade down too hard right on the line of my lower lip and skin, and cut myself pretty good. Ended up with a BBS on the face, and CCS on the neck and jaw. I won’t call it a DFS, but I managed to shave and shower in 12 minutes total.

While this razor is fun to use, it is not as efficient as a longer blade. I didn’t realize how much I use the length of the blade along my jawline. It also gets swallowed by my 3 inch wide strop. I want to do two more shaves on this razor before going to the other two Americans in the focus. So far, no impact at all in using only 10 strokes linen/ 10 strokes leather pre and post shave. I was doing 40 linen/ 50 leather pre-shave and 20 linen/ 40 leather post-shave up until this month. (Once I am more familiar with the razors, I might try the no strop routine @HolyRollah suggested.)

 

Thanks Clint. I'm liking the comfortable shave it gives me in so few passes. It's efficiency is amazing. It's changing the way I shave...and I love it.

 

Thanks for the kind words @Jasman.