July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Charlie, forgot to mention it earlier but if keep in mind that the Mongoose handles will fit the New LC. One of the few modern handles that will fit in the narrow opening between the ridges. I use mine that way quite often.

 

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

Shave #2 with my 4th Gillette Silver Blue blade. A nice shave. Very comfortable, no nicks, 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. At this point, I had a solid DFS and almost a BBS shave.
Lathered up those areas that needed touch up. I used some stretching to get at the remaining spots and blade buffing on those that needed more attention. I even brought out the Fat Boy cranked up to 8 to get some of the elusive ones and help me catch the baby.

In the end, I wound up with an extremely close shave, but somehow missed a couple of spots near my jaw joints that I hadn't even detected before the Aqua Velva dried. So despite the extra effort, the baby escaped this morning. Still, a nice 2 pass+ shave from the Silver Blue.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

Clint, thanks for letting me know. I will definitely try the Mongoose handle with the New LC head. This can only make it better. The original handle works fine, but the barrel has a small crack. This causes the press-fit insert in the top of the handle (the female threaded part that receives the post from the top cap) to move. I had to keep an eye on this during my shave. I'll probably look around for a mint New LC (or three ) after NBJ. This one may be a candidate for a red and black Gun Kote finish.

 

07/25/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set to 7
Blade – Voskhod (1)
Brush – Olivewood with TGN Finest
Lather – Mitchell’s Wool Fat
Post - Witch Hazel & Captain’s Choice Bay Rum



With the posts earlier this week about the Slim and following Charlie's @wristwatchb I decided to take a day or two off from the focus to try my Gillette Slim. I bought this soon after starting DE shaving because it was my birth year razor. In the beginning I used it several times and never really enjoyed the shaves that much.

With much more experience, I decided it was about time to revisit the razor. I thought about using a Feather or Lab Blue but remembering how smooth the Voskhod blade was last month, I loaded my last one up. Now to decide what setting to try first. I thought about dialing the puppy up to 9 but nixed that and went on 7. Did a traditional 3 pass shave, WTG, XTG and ATG and almost caught the baby. One small area of touch ups on my left jaw line caught the baby, BBS.

This just proves again, not to give up on things you tried earlier. Experience and technique really changed my thoughts on this razor. I will use it for tomorrow's shave as well. I just might open this puppy up to 9 and see what we get.

 

Clint, that's a beautiful Slim, and I'm glad it performed well for you this time around. It looks great alongside your custom brush. I've got my birth quarter Slim lined up for the August focus.

 

Thank you Charlie. It really is in fantastic shape. I wish this one was my birth quarter (J4) but I this was what I found at the time.

I am seriously thinking about joining you on the focus. It will be hard for me to put the Mongoose away for an entire month.

 

30 day rule - Day 25
MDC lavender Face Lathered
Ladas blade
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

When I loaded my brush this morning I counted to 3. And, there was virtually no soap on the brush. The issue was that my brush was just a touch too dry. I experimented a few times and found an amazing difference in the amount of MDC loaded onto the brush when it is just right and when it is too dry. Not a great shave today, as I cut my chin when I lowered the razor to my face.

 

July 26 Plans

Gillette New LC
Feather blade (2)
Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic
Trumper's Coconut cream
Two passes
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Trumper's Coral Skin Food

I look forward to tomorrow's shave, which will be my second time using the New LC.

Enjoy the weekend.

 

It is shocking. Who would have thought?

 

Not shocking, scary! Shaving with a Slim all the way open? You are brave my friend. My first razor was a N-2 Slim. I still have it. Still use it, although not lately.

 

I thought you were shocked that I would put down the Mongoose. Well on 7 it didn't feel very aggressive, just a good solid shave. I'll at least try the WTG pass on 9 and then decide.

Now scary. My friend stopped by today to pick up his ATT R2 and M2 he had loaned me last month. He left me with the H1 which looks almost to scary to try. But I know I will, just need to work up the courage.

 

I have noticed that menthol soaps seem stronger when left for a minute. However, I have no rational explanation for why.

 

Your method of mixing hard soap seems logical!

Some of best shaves were with a 63 slim on 9!

 

July 25, 2015

***COMPLETED***
30-Day Focus - Blade Trials for Gillette Tech

Day 4 of 7-day Vacation on
Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
48.8450° N, 123.2808° W
Island climate, island time, island life.

Sun came out again today!

We decided to skip the shave and get some sun!



Clouds moved in - we took a hike!


Enjoy your shaves!

Ahoy!
RT

 

Razor: Gillette Black Handle Flair Tip (P1)
Blade: Wilkinson Sword (7)
Brush: Semogue 1305 Superior Boar
Bowl: KnockOut Shave
Soap: Jack's Shave Soap
A/S: Ecopureman A/S Balm
Day 25

Another great lather with the 1305. Happy I stuck with this brush. I will try a different soap tomorrow. I will also change razor and blade.

 

Start it at 9. If the first stroke is rough, dial it back to 8 or 7. If you approach it slowly and smoothly, there is nothing to worry about. You don't have to double-check if your life insurance is paid. I will be moving mine to a 9 tomorrow (from 8). Previously I didn't have the confidence OR the skill to do it smoothly. But, the last time I tried it at 9 was months ago.. After 25 days with the same lather, blade and razor, I know I have the confidence and think I have the skill.

 

Sounds like a plan, Mark. The shave at 7 was great so we will see how it goes at 9.

 

I see an August focus for @NCoxSTL in the making. You're close to Six Flags, right?