July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

It's not really the heat that's the issue in Colorado, it's the sun.

 

Charlie, I have the same brush. I have found the following to work best for me. I wet the brush under the tap as I start to fill the sink. Squeeze and shake out most all the water and begin loading the soap. As I am loading I will add several drops of water to the puck, repeating the process several times. Once loadedI begin face lathering. Many dip the tips in water but I have found that if I just use my palm to add water to the center of the knot and continue face lathering. I'll repeat this step several times until I have the water/soap ratio dialed in and the lather where I want it to be. This process has produced great lather with even stubborn soaps for me. It also has the benefit of not slinging water and soap all over the place. Hope this helps.

 

We discovered an anomaly today concerning the heat here. Also sun related.

 

No doubt.

 

Once I got it down, it really is a great brush. It's just different than a badger or boar, in some ways better and others not so much.

 

Thanks Charlie. I see there are a variety of scents available. How's the Orange GLO, the Lime Basil. Oak Moss?

 

A true pro can use the pinky ring to reflect enough sun back to overcome the polyester. Those cubic zirconias are amazing.

 

My little boy is truly a blessing. He can be difficult at times, as he is much like his grandfather, but he is a joy to our family. My two daughters are as great, but they spoiled my wife and I before the boy.

The Phoenix is a nice razor. I just found it searching on line for open comb razors and thought I would try it. I am glad I did.

 

30 Day Rule - July 2015
July 28th
Razor - Feather SS AC
Blade - (2)
Brush - Omega 10066 (BoS)
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water splash, Alum, Nivea

Up a bit early this morning since it's never too soon to start a day that will be much too hot. Can't wait! Hit the shower with a little extra time and then grabbed the BoS and Fat and away we go. Very relaxed, easy to hit shaving Zen and the lather was again near perfect. Grabbed the SS and did my relaxed first pass and was really happy with it. Better on the neck than usual. Still using my modified grip for the left side going from left hand to a Japanese style halfway through. You would have to experience it to probably understand it or I may get bold and video it at some point. Not sure anyone needs to see me that early in the morning though. Scary. Went XTG on the second pass and felt good still, nice reduction, no issues so went ahead and finished a third pass mostly ATG on the neck. I'm happy to say nothing was bleeding and the result, well mixed a bit as I had a nice DFS on the face and a nice CCS on the neck. I'm calling that good. No need for the New and Voskhod today. It's a full three pass with the Feather by itself. Very nice and a good way to head out. Cold water, the Alum lit up pretty good due to the extra pass but I expected that. Nivea to cool that and today I used Proraso as a body splash to fight off the swamp that we call air around here at the moment. I'll be trying the same thing for tomorrow and to end the week. I'll also be adding a comparison review between the CJB and Feather SS either later tonight or tomorrow sometime. Hope you all had a great day.

 

It's one of my faves!

 

Nice work!

 

Day 28 - 28 July 2015

30 Days of Maggard and MITA!

​

Day four was just as good as days 1 through 3! Today was another superb GSB performance, the usual automatic 2 pass smoothness was in effect. The alum remained super quiet and the AV Musk finished things nicely. Weather
broke today, cold front brought it down to 85F for a pleasant sunny day. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
​

 

For general consumption:

August thread opens soon!

 

Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Day 23 with the Mongoose​

B-3 Mongoose with Triad Rolling Hex Titanium
Feather ProGuard #7
Doug Korn D-7XLT Ice Blue Shavemac Finest
MDC Original
Witch Hazel ++Menthol, Unrefined Shea Butter
Fine – Fresh Vetiver

Today’s shave was two passes including clean up. ATG and XTG was still doable but today was the last shave for the ProGuard blade. One would think a higher cost blade would last more shaves, so much for the ProGuards, on to the Kai Sharp blade. Another BBS shave today with no chasing.

My August 30 Day Rule with the Mongoose will continue. The August plan will also include using a DE or other SE razor every fifth shave. I will also attempt to use a different shave brush for every shave during the month.

​

 

Thanks Charlie! I took a lot of time deciding that I wanted to get into DE shaving and what I wanted to use. At least, I spent a lot of time reading the various forums and websites. I took Mantic59’s suggestion on the brush. Proraso is my 3rd cream after a couple of different soaps. I really wanted a hot lather so a scuttle was in order. My wife says I over research everything.

For August, I think I want to stay focused on my blade research using my current setup. At the same time, I have a Fat Boy and a birth quarter Tech I just picked up that I want to try out. So I’ll probably start with the blade trial and then spice it up from time to time with one of my new razors.

 

I've tried the Oak Moss and didn't care for it. Hard to explain but the closest I can come is that it's too earthy if that makes sense. I prefer the classic scent, somehow reminds me of my grandfather although I don't think he used it. Funny how scents can bring up memories you had long forgotten. I use it like I'm washing my hands then rub it into my beard and let it sit while I make my lather in a bowl. Then I do a very light rinse leaving some on my face before I start applying the shaving soap. Gives me good results.

 

July 28, 2015

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

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

Beautiful day - sunny, low 70s. A bit of everything today - chores, errands, then sunning with a good book.

Early evening 2-pass shave on day 3 of the Voskhod blade and the Aristocrat. Close and comfortable.

A last visit to the frog and we're on our way back to Seattle tomorrow.


So this is my last vacation post (ok enough, knock it off - I hear you all cheering!)
More later this week from Seattle.

Ahoy!
RT

 

Ahh... Seattle. Where people don't tan...they rust.

 

Blade, soap, alum, what don't we have a5 year supply of?!? Lol
Cheers,
Eric

 

Lovely