August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I'm with you on this one. Close enough.

 

Herm, I misread your post and understood you to say you were going from 5 to 9 on the next shave. Your plan is the way to approach things.

 

Thank you both. I have a matching 64 Super Speed and other than handle length and weight, the shave is very similar to the Slim on 3 or 4.

 

Use it. We love shiny new things to play with.

 

August 6

Gillette Slim G3 (3)
Feather blade (1)
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 enjoyed a very nice shave this morning. I turned off the running water in the sink and listened to my shave. It allowed me to maintain the correct blade angle and really focus on my technique. It also provided for a more relaxing experience. While I want to become familiar with my Slim this month, I think this may be my "surprise" learning. Have a great day, everyone!

 

The angle for a Slim changes as adjustments are made. I borrowed these photos from http://shavelikegrandad.blogspot.com/2014/10/analysis-of-vintage-gillette-slim.html I don't agree with all his analysis but these were the best pics I could find of a Slim's angles, blade gap and blade exposure.



This is the angle with a setting of one.




This is the angle with a setting of 9. As you can see from the photos as the blade gap increases so does the blade exposure.

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 5:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Pre de Provence
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman

Today was my first day on the Phoenix to compare to the Milord, and I definitely had less irritation. The quality of the shave is the same, just less irritation. I'll spend a couple more days with the Phoenix then swap to another razor.

 

I really like the look of the Phoenix. Cool Razor.

 

How are you liking the Phoenix?

 

Thank you. It shaves as well as it looks!

 

08/06/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set on 9
Blade – Feather (2)
Brush – Rudy Vey with TGN Finest
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel & Fine L’Orange



I think I have found my blade for the Slim. Another great 3 pass BBS shave. I did have to chase the baby with touch ups around my chin. The week is certainly ending better with the Slim than it started. Hope everyone has a great day.

 

More rigid? That would be one way to describe it. To me it feels like it's easier to maintain angle at the higher setting so far. I felt like I was unsure of the angle and less in control at the lower settings.

 

I'm new at this focus stuff, but I don't think the focus thread will kick you out if you use it, like NBJ would. But, just in case, do it when none of us is looking.

 

30 day Focus - Day 5
MDC Lavender Face Lathered w/ Stirling Glacial Obsidian
Sputnik Blade (Day 1 on blade, Day 5 on Sputnik)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

The Stirling Glacial is one powerfully mentholated soap. This was a smooth shave, but the Sputnik just doesn't seem to cut as closely as the Ladas. For me, the true test of a shave has always been how it feels many hours after the shave, not immediately after the shave.

 

In April, when I got my first straights back from being honed, no one in this group was worried when I dumped my orginal focus to go to them. I don't do well with getting new toys and not being able to use them. I am intrested to see what you think of the Feather AC, and how long it takes you to get to straights after using it...

 

Day One of Seven
My maiden voyage using this Japanese western-Style razor on loan from fellow TSD member, Mike (entropy1049). When trying out a new straight razor, I always approach the shave with some precautions. I tend to use a lighter touch than normal until I get comfortable with both the weight and size of the razor as well as the feel of the edge. After several test-drives, I'll adapt...

This razor feels very nice in the hand; pins are tight, tang is slim with subtle lower jimps, and the thin, broad blade has a comfortably-rounded square tip. It also provides good audible feedback (no surprise there as it is a wide, full-hollow grind). Easy to manipulate/navigate this razor as it's slim shape is designed for efficiency and well-balanced. The blade 'feel' reminds me very much of my 3/4" Red Imp—which is say quite smooth and noisy. I prefer, however, the soft square point on this razor versus the deadly spike on the Imp.

Twenty light laps on the red latigo. Three passes plus some touch-up areas resulted in a near BBS shave.
I can see already this is going to be an enjoyable seven-day ride!

 

One of many helpful and supportive posts. I like how you guys think. I will break this baby out of the box on Saturday. Thank you.

 

Sounds like a fantastic plan. I look forward to your report on the shave.

 

I use conventional straights ~99.9% of the time, but when traveling, the convenience of a shavette can't be beat. Also, for whatever weird reason, if I have heavy growth, I feel like that's another good excuse to change it up a bit and use the Feather.

 

August 6, 2015

Adjustable August Slim-apalooza
30-Day Focus - Gillette Slim Adjustable

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 (3)
TSD Witch Hazel
After Shave: Myrsol Blue
Mustache Wax: Dirigo Blue



Moved up settings today :
7 - WTG
7 - ATG
No touch-up or repeat strokes.
This is as much about technique as it is about finding the best settings on this razor for me.

The shave was noticeable different than previous shaves on the Slim at the lower settings. I *felt* this shave more than any other shave on the Slim so far. The significant feedback was the indicator. No irritation, nicks, cuts, etc, so I think I had the right angle. The shave was also the most close so far.

However, and to just nitpick a bit, this shave was not as smooth in cutting. It didn't tug or pull, it just didn't slice thru as comfortably as I've felt before from the GSB. Perhaps it was due to this being the 3rd shave on this blade. (?)

I will stay with this setting and introduce a new blade tomorrow and see if that's changes things. Nice shave overall today.

Cheers!
RT