August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Love that cartoon! Some people ask me about my interest in all things Russian considering our past history with the USSR as the other party in the cold war. I remind them that history is a subject with at least two sides. Each side involved tell it from their perspective. Facts are facts but history is a bit murky at times. My first real interest came around 1996 when the internet was still a youngster. I found myself on IRC (Internet Relay Chat) talking to someone in a chat room about politics, life in general etc. and discovered they were, in fact, sitting on a computer in Russia. Sharing one to one like that over several days worth of chats was fascinating and I found their needs, wants, concerns, etc. were pretty much mine. Live in peace, pay less taxes, eat good food and the government stinks. Now if we can't get along based on that then what else is there eh? Calvin has it right! Ok, back to shaving.

 

August Focus - Slim and Feather AC
August 1
Razor - Gillette Slim J1 (1964) (3,4)
Blade - (1)
Brush - BoS (Omega 10066)
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold Water, Alum, The Veg

Starting off a two razor focus this month. The Slim and the Feather SS AC are featured. As I mentioned earlier it's the Slim on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the Feather Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday. So, we start with the Slim.

This is the 1964 Slim I found on Ebay. I loaded a fresh Voskhod for this week and set it at 3 for the first pass. Since I've never tried an adjustable this is all new and I just picked a sort of in between setting to start. Lathered up with the BoS and Tabac and loved it. Great lather and the Tabac scent is great. SWMBO mentioned last night when I was taking a picture with it that she really loves that smell. So maybe I need to acquire some more Tabac products.

Due to the early nature of Saturdays for me and the need to make a meeting on time I decided ahead of time to do two passes. First pass was very very smooth with the Slim and Voskhod on 3. Wow. Nice. Relathered for the second pass and went to 4 on the razor. What a great feel and finish! Still super smooth, no irritation that I could tell and I finished with a very fine DFS. A bit of touchup and I would have had a BBS. Alum proved to be very quiet (a change from using the Feather) and I splashed on the Veg and off to work I went to start a new month. Very nice shave. I'm looking forward to Monday and taking the razor up a notch or two. Welcome to August ladies and gents!

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August 2 Sunday, shave 2

This is the 5th time I have tried Xpec shaving and well it is being sent to purgatory where it will sit for six months and then I will try it again. I have never been able to get a other from this that felt slick, had cushion and gave protection. Today I had several weepers and one small cut. The small cut is due to operator error and the weepers I attribute to Xpec. 3 passes with the SR and then 4th with a Merkur Vision, the Vision is just mild for me. Ended up with medium/mild irritation and just short of DFS.

Proraso Pre Shave
Xpec
Whipped Dog 30mm with Firehouse handle
Rasurpur western Kami, Merkur Vision
Harold Russian Leather strop
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Homemade 151 Ruml AS
Speick ASB
Creed Himilaya

 

You guys have inspired me to join the fray. I was in the No Change November group, last fall and I think I like the idea of a focus, it takes some decision making out of the equation. That will help me since lately I've been having a hard time choosing which razor to use. I like the "Adjustable August" idea. Only problem is that I have 5 different ones. So I've decided to use the razor I've used the least, my 24kt 1958 Executive. Blades will be Astra SP's since that's all I have. But I'll change up the soaps. I didn't shave today, so I start on Sunday.

 

Welcome! Glad to have you along.

 

Welcome, Herm!

 

I'm already nervous. LOL

 

August 1,2015

Adjustable August - Slim-apalooza!

30-Day Focus - Gillette Slim Adjustable
(a PIF from @ wristwatchb )

Mid-morning shave.

Hot Shower
Pre-Shave Oil: Gingers Garden
Soap: Catie's Bubbles Mile High Menthol
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2)
TSD Witch Hazel
After Shave: TSD Lemon
Mustache Wax: Dirigo Blue (a PIF from @swarden43 )

My first attempt with an adjustable and I'm keen to dive right in on the first day. My goal is to find the best settings for a 2-pass shave (with minor or no touch-ups). I've learned that my whiskers allow for a very efficient 2-pass shave - with the right technique and equipment.

But I'll take a cautious approach and start with -
1st pass - WTG, setting 3
2nd pass - ATG, setting 4

I had used the GSB on my last shave and could not bear to dump it after just one shave. So it's in the Slim.



Well if this shave was any indication, this will be a wonderful month!

1st pass - very smooth with very quiet or no feedback. At various points I had to use SWMBO's "zoom" mirror just to see if I was cutting anything!

2nd pass - smooth as well, a bit more audible feedback, but I prefer that as an indication of correct direction with my angular whisker growth.

So smoooooth that I take to the chase with touch-ups just in the usual spots...still working on perfecting the "jawline stretch."

If I weren't such a newb I'd declare the highest of shaving acronyms, but I'll wait to gauge growth over the next 12 hours.
Edit - still smooth (mostly) after 12 hours - a fine shave indeed.

Question - What criteria do you use as an indication to increase the settings?

Thanks for the feedback!
Cheers!
RT

 

Herm!

Well I've been called a lot of things before, but never 'inspiring'.
You must be talking about all those other guys! :wave:

So? What's the problem?!!

Oh now you're just showing off!
What, another surprise gift from SWMBO?!!!
Some guys have all the luck!

Glad you're here!

 

Back this month for my official 30 day rule! Will focus on my razor technique using my Lord L6 and the Gillette Silver Blue. MITA and my VDH boar brush will be used to ensure a good lather. The Gillette Silver blue turned out to be a great smooth blade, much better than the voskhod (had to throw in a little heresy just for @NCoxSTL).

Have one more plan that is based on the dominant theme to this thread. Will be looking hard to find a decent adjustable this month. Don't own one and think it would be a great addition. To this end will be scouring the yard sales, flea markets and antique stores because can't afford one of eBay. Lol

So first shave in the books.

Razor – Lord L6 three piece razor
Blade – Gillette Silver Blue
Brush – VDH Boar
Soap -- MITA
Post - Witch Hazel

Excellent shave. One weeper because I tried too hard between my lip and chin. It is a problem area for me right at the crease. Got to work on stretching my face to beat assist especially on lower neck and around chin. Lather was great doing bowl lathering. Ended up being an excellent DFS Plus shave.

 

You and @Bama Samurai along with others have definitely been inspirations for me. I thank you both for encouragement and passing on your knowledge and experiences.

I am enjoying watching you @Rufus T. As you are learning and honing your skill. Thanks for sharing the process.

 

Whoa, parallel universe! That's exactly how I started. 2-pass at 3 and 4.
(However my starting settings were suggested by my our Sensi @Bama Samurai

....while you thought of it all on your own!


Wanna race to #9?

 

Slim on 9 is 1 pass DFS if you know what you're doing. It's marvelous razor.

 

Creams are really the one soap type I've seldom used. Nice choice of focus!

 

People are people. Governments try to tell is differently, but it's true. People just want to be happy.

 

Welcome aboard! I am going to start Sunday as well!

 

1 August 2015 - The Phoenix (exhibition only)


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August has 31 days, so I slipped in a detour. Shark Super Chrome was the first DE blade I ever used, on 11 August of last year. I joined TSD 15 Sept 2014, read @GDCarrington shortly thereafter, did a rule, and have been doing them, in some form, ever since. I hope all you guys have a blast this month with your adjustables, I did one in January. But, "Adjustable August" could easily become a TSD thing, it's a cool idea and name. Kudos to @wristwatchb (Charlie) for cooking it up.

It's really amazing how much better these blades became after aging for a year in the bottom of a box.

I'll be back tomorrow with the real rule for the month. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a Super Sunday!
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Thank you for your kind words! I am glad you've joined up. If you truly master the L6, like shave in the dark master it, you will be a really happy shaver. Good luck on the journey.

The skin stretching is a great way to maximize the efficiency of the razor. My first brush was a VDH Boar, I used it until I wore it out. It makes great lather, especially from a soap like MITA!

 

Serving a request Russian Blade Czar...

Rapira SS. I propose that I will use these first cousins to the Golden boy of Moscow blade works this month. I feel the Commission will approve, as these are the finest stainless steel non-Teflon blades in all of Mother Russia.

 

That is a really cool story Neal, and such great perspective. Kudos to you for reaching out like that, I'm in awe!