July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

30 Day Rule - July 2015
July 9th
Razor - CJB/Gillette New LC
Blade - (7) (4)
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water splash, Alum, Nivea Original Post Shave Balm

Another two pass day to solidify technique before going for more. Again, first pass with the CJB and the second with the New LC. First pass was again good with no blood and a good feel. Keeping the hand relaxed is the key, as well as continuing to work on angle and pressure with the backward grip on the left side. Getting more confident again. The New and Voskhod whipped the DFS into shape on the 4th shave for the Voskhod. It's reminding me why I like it so much. Tomorrow morning will most likely be another two pass as it's Saturday meeting day and everybody buys cars on Saturday! I've got some real gems on the lot if you all want to come by. We can talk shaving and get you a fine, low mileage (trust me, remember) high quality automobile. Have a great weekend!

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Hey, like what you're doing with your photos Neal!
And sounds like you're making great strides with the CJB! Congrats!

And don't forget, let me know when you find that '65 cherry red Mustang convertible!

 

Thanks! I need some new pics too so will be working on that. The CJB will fall into line. Just takes extreme patience and practice. Some days I wonder though. As far as the car....I think I'm close..........

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Cherry Red Mustang.......we can make it a convertible (and get the Mustang decals) for a small extra fee......seriously, so small you won't even notice it in your 72 payments. Sign here.

 

Neal that is one sweet ride! I'd love to be crusin' in that one! Let me know if its still on the lot after tomorrow!

 

1956 Gillette Super Speed Flair
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva
Current Blade under review: 2nd Gillette Silver Blue

Shave #1 with 2nd Gillette Silver Blue blade. Fine BBS results, a great shave. Very close, smooth, one tiny nick by the corner of my mouth (tiny skin bump) but no weepers, irritation or razor burn.
2 Full passes: Pass 1: WTG on my face (N/S), and XTG on my neck (N/S). Pass 2: ATG using my grain map. At this point, I could have ended the shave with a near BBS.
Lathered up again for touch up. I used some stretching to get the last few hairs from my just below my jawline. I went over my trouble spots once being careful not to add pressure so the blade would do the work. On my final rinse I could still feel tiny patches of very short stubble, but I left them alone. While applying my Aqua Velva they seemed to be more evident, but once the A/S dried, all but one area felt BBS to me (a rough patch of skin I didn't want to irritate by doing multiple passes). An hour later, my face and neck still feel BBS.

A satisfying shave from the Gillette Silver Blue. It felt sharper than yesterday's Astra Superior Platinum and it still provided a smooth shave.

P.S. I exercised restraint this morning. I received a ’59 Fat Boy E3 yesterday. I was mighty tempted to give it a spin, but wanted to use the Gillette Silver Blue in the same razor as the yesterday’s Astra to allow a better comparison. But tomorrow…

 

July 11

MdC facial soap
Gillette Fat Boy
Feather blade (2)
Omega Pro 98 boar brush
Arko
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post Shave Balm

I love Saturdays. Everything is a little more relaxed, and this is a great way to get started. Looks like it is going to be a beautiful day here in my neck of the woods. Enjoy your day!

 

Looks like you are really enjoying that Fatboy. The fact that many of these vintage razors function for a 100 years is really a testament to how well they were made.

 

07/11/2015
Razor – GEM 1912 @JR Reyes
Blade – GEM Stainless PTFE (1)
Brush – Olivewood with TGN Finest Fan
Lather – Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Antesol Sample



One of my best BBS shaves ever. This razor is a PIF I received from JR. For those that have never tried a vintage GEM razor, they are real treat to use. Once I mastered the technique, this razor and blade combo give me a shave that I am hard pressed to duplicate with any of my other razors. In my quest to master MWF soap, I decided to make it a Wool Fat weekend. After trying many of my other brushes, I might have found the best brush for me to pair with MWF. The lather today was fantastic. Finished off with some Myrsol Antesol from my sample pack. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

Thanks Clint, and yes I really enjoy this razor. I can't fully describe the look and feel of it, it's that good for me. The seller shared the history on it, and I think about it every time I use it. It belonged to his wife's dad, and they found it in the attic of his house. I have a Slim and a Super Speed ready to go, and I think they will be fun to use as well.

I thought I had all the vintage razors I "need," but @Rufus T. is tempting me with a Gillette New LC. I can envision my dad using a New as a young man, so I'll probably give in sooner rather than later.

Have a great weekend, and try to get a bike ride in sometime.

 

Call Neal for the Best Deal!

 

30 day rule - Day 11
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Ladas blade
Slim Adjustable set to 7
3 passes and a great shave


The 30 rule is working well for me. I have learned that I was loading my brush about 4 times as much as I needed to. I have been refining the amount of water I use, which subtly has been improving the lather. My shaving technique has also been improving, as evidenced by how rough my face feels late at night. All said, I am really glad I have been trying this.

 

The New OC razors are my favorite vintage DE razors. You at least owe it to yourself to give it a try.

 

July 11th, SOTD (Shave 7 of this focus)
One days’ growth
Prep: Face wash
Razor: W.R. Case & Sons “Registered No. 23 Warranted For Life” Purple Heart Wood scales
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel Horsehide/ Linen (10 linen/ 10 leather pre and post)
Soap: The Shave Den Lime
Brush: Spalted Maple Brush with Badger Knot
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: The Shave Den Aftershave Milk Iced Lime


Didn’t need to shave this morning, but I wanted to. Did a two pass, no touch up shave today. Did the first pass as normal N/S, but for the second pass, I played around with the grip on the razor for my neck. This was based on a thread I read at SRP with tips for shaving when the grain of your beard goes from your left ear to your right ear on the portion of your neck or just under your chin. I didn’t get it all, but I seem to have gotten more of it. Next week, I think I am going to cut my stropping numbers down to 5 linen and 5 leather, pre and post shave. TSD sample is still going strong. Lather is great, but I want menthol in my soap! I will probably have my full sized order sometime next week, with both a menthol soap and the alcohol based aftershave. Hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

Hope you enjoy your Fat Boy. I love my E3 and F2.

 

The knot on your Olivewood Handle brush is blooming nicely.

 

Fatboy and the 10098, awesome tools Charlie!

 

Thanks Mark. The knot is coming along nicely. It's a lather monster for sure with more scritch than any brush I own.

 

Phoenix Dbl OC Focus Day 10:

African Black Soap Shave Butter as pre
Simpsons Commodore X3 Best Badger
Stirling San Antonio SS
Ralf Aust 5/8 straight
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
The Veg

Used a straight for the first pass today then did my second and clean up with th email Phoenix. I had so much lather, my wife used it on her legs. I also let her use the Phoenix. She was a big fan of the San Antonio and the Phoenix, so I guess you could say it was a two for one day in terms of great shaves!

 

THAT'S IT!!!!!