July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Charlie you actually went from your electric razor to a straight?!! Yeah I can see where learning technique right away would have been imperative - dare I say life affirming!

Wow! Im in awe of all you straight-edge guys!

Perhaps in my younger days when my hands were more steady...but today I'll just leave all that hard work, and sweat and BLOOD to you young, steady guys and live vicariously through all your tales of adventure here on the Den!

Old age wisdom comes from knowing ones abilities AND limitations!

 

TSDenizens of the 30-day Rule/Focus Thread and Grand Poobah - @Bama Samurai

I submit my assessment of my July focus as a success!

I have focused on four brands of blades, using the Gillette Tech that I learned to DE shave with in my June 30-day Rule. I have shaved between 3 - 4 times with a blade from each brand finding two (Gillette Silver Blue and Voskhod) to fill my every day needs with this razor.

With 10 days remaining in the month, I would have moved to a fifth and possibly sixth brand to assess, but...

I have been sooooooo blessed recently.

My in-laws (from Vancouver , Canada) have provided my family with use of their island cabin for a week starting tomorrow! It sits on Mayne Island off the coast of British Columbia.

Also, though I don't shave very often on this type of vacation, but I have recently received a "loaner PIF" of a ’46-47 Aristocrat ! from yet another great Denizen @NCoxSTL



So I’ll be taking it on vacation with me (don’t worry Neal, I’m insured!) and trying it out on my trip. Details and perhaps some more photos to follow.

I sincerely hope this doesn’t violate any provisions of the 30-Day Association, for I’m also looking forward to another great learning experience in August spending 30-days with my new Slim courtesy of yet one more great Denizen @wristwatchb

Gosh you guys are GREAT!
RT

 

I used an electric razor for about 30 years. I still have an electric, but I've hidden it under the sink. I wouldn't want you guys to catch a glimpse of it in my SOTD photos. I used DEs for a few months before I tried the Feather AC. If I can use one, anyone can.

 

Vince, I hope you and your Bride have a great time! I look forward to seeing your photos and hearing about your experience with that cool Aristocrat.

 

You had a great focus for the month and looks like a great time to finish it! The fact that your top two blades from those shaves are Russians, and two of the best Russians puts a warm glow in my heart. I'll alert the Russian Blade Godfather that we have another in the fold.

Hope the Aristocrat treats you as well as it has me. I know it loves Voskhods. My original 30 Day Rule in January when I was first really learning was with that razor and Voskods. Eager to hear what you think of it. I am a bit irritated, though, that it will be off to the island while I swelter midst the heat and bullets of St. Louis. Ah well, I guess I'll have to settle for the paradise here.

Have a great and safe trip!

 

Perfect!

 

I did the same. Feathers were my starting blade. When I learned to snow ski, I learned on 188cm skis. For a guy my size, they were very difficult to control. But, as I learned, I really learned my skiing technique well. The same holds true for shaving. The feathers, IMHO, force you to be a better shaver or else they punish you.

 

July 22 Plans

Gillette Fat Boy (8)
Feather blade (2)
Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic STF V2.0
Geo F. Trumper's Coconut Oil cream
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Trumper's Coral Skin Food

A great shave today with no weepers or irritation with the FB on setting 8. Planning to hang in there for the rest of the week!

 

Hey how was Mrs. WWB's big day?

 

Vince, thanks for asking about my Bride's birthday. The morning began with some corny birthday cards and my rendition of "Happy Birthday." After work, we went out for dinner and celebrated by doing one of her favorite things - shopping!

In all seriousness (and I know TSD is no place for this ), the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful Bride that I didn't deserve. She is faithful, patient, loving, and she is my number 1 encourager after 28 years of marriage. She's a two-time cancer survivor (she's doing fantastic, Praise the Lord), and she's a fighter. If I put all my shaving stuff away after I'm finished with it in the morning, I think she will keep me.

 

Certainly nothing wrong in my eyes for giving thanks! Looks as though I've done a bit of the same myself in my recent posts.

Glad it was such a great time...and 28 years?!! We're close to the same stage - mine is 29 years on 7/26! How do they put up with us!

 

Sounds reasonable. I sit on a stash of GSB and Voskhod, about a hundred each all the time, but have many other types lying around.

Thanks for your kind words! I hope you have a lovely trip and a safe journey! See for thirty days of Slim! I did the Slim in January, you are in for a cool experience!

 

Your love for her is most apparent. Our wives are indeed blessings upon our lives.

 

Thanks Neal, I will treat it with great care!

I look at it like an international summit - an American razor, with Russian blades in the calm of Canada!

 

Slim on nine for all work was my fave! Less passes are better, IMHO.

 

Day 21 - 21 July 2015

30 Days of Maggard and MITA!


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GSB has a challenger. This blade was so smooth today, it felt as if there was no blade in the razor. 2 pass automatic smoothness in full effect. Alum was very quiet. And for the only time this year I used the American icon Old Spice. Sitting outside right now enjoying a pipe, watching lightning dance over the prairie. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
​

 

That is a summit of the greats. Canada is one of my favorite places having visited there often back in the late 80's. When I was in North Dakota I made a lot of trips over the border to visit friends. And yes, the classic American razor with a Russian blade...I call that my detente setup. Those of us old enough to remember the cold war will know that reference. LOL

 

The 7 o'clock Blue is a great blade. My favorite from the St. Pete's collection. I wish it was still in production.

 

Discretion versus valor. Sad but true. I admire SR guys for sharing the learning curve in public. Brave and bold!

 

I didn't realize they were over. So glad @Bobcat let me try!