August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

The Real Shaving Cream is a very good cream. Easy to lather and prepares the face for a comfortable shave.

 

Thanks I'll look at getting some before my next motorcycle trip.

 

I have been using 3 and out as a rule only because I want to compare the blades at their best and I don't want to take a year to settle on a favorite. I expect I'll be able to get a good number of shaves out of many of them. Back when I was a cartridge shaver, I used to shave every other day and change them once a month. Once I began my DE journey, I put in a Shark Super Stainless. My first one lasted 4 shaves. I pulled it because I kept nicking myself. Since it was the only brand I had, I put a second one in while waiting on my sample pack. I kept that blade going for 10 days and was pretty happy with it. I mainly pulled it because I had a few other blades to work with by then. The next blade I tried was the Derby. I figured 2 blades with each brand sounded good, so after I retired the first Derby, I put another in. Both of my Derbys lasted 7 shaves but could have gone longer. - You can see why I decided it would take years to go through my blades if I didn't change my ways!

I figure once I settle on the one I want to go with I'll see how far I can go with them and then adjust so I get consistently good shaves.

 

1956 Gillette Super Speed Flair
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #2 with my 6th Gillette Silver Blue blade. A really nice shave, very close and comfortable. No irritation today.
2 full passes: Pass 1: WTG on my face and XTG on my neck. Pass 2: ATG. This gave me a near BBS shave. There were fewer spots remaining after my 2nd pass than yesterday. I only had to lather the left side of my neck to handle my touch up. Some sections needed a little blade buffing, but everything felt smooth on my final rinse. The Aqua Velva stung a bit on my neck today, but the ice kicked in shortly afterwards and felt really nice.

Another fine BBS shave from the Gillette Silver Blue!

 

08/07/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set on 9
Blade – Feather (3)
Brush – Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HMW
Lather – Catie’s Bubbles Santal Sensuelle
Post - Witch Hazel & Captain’s Choice Sandalwood+Menthol



Another great 3 pass shave with the Slim on 9. Required a little more work this morning as the blade is starting to get tired. One of things I have learned over the last several months is that I like AS with menthol. So I ordered some menthol crystals to the CC Sandalwood. I like this much better. Happy Friday everyone.

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 6:

August 7 SOTD:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Cella
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Tabac AS

Much the same as yesterday. Again, the Phoenix comes through. The Cella was great as well. Tomorrow will be the third day on the Phoenix, then I'll switch it up on Sunda.

 

Day 2 of 7: J-West Razor
Early morning shave today, requiring a couple of good hot cups of coffee before proceeding. Second consecutive day using the Western-style Japanese razor (aka J-West).
In place of the MdC soap, I grabbed a TSD stick, 'Iced Asian Plum'—an appropriate name —which also happens to have a real nice menthol chill.

As I mentioned after yesterday's shave, this is a well-designed and well-constructed razor. Good balance is one important aspect, I've discovered, in the effective use of a straight razor. Not all razors are as well-balanced as this model. Often straight razors are made quite blade-heavy—especially some of the large-bladed wedge grinds.They still shave great, but require additional effort and attention. A well-balanced razor feels easier to use and more efficient in its use.

Three basic passes (WTG, XTH, ATG) with minor touch-up. A repeat of yesterday's near-BBS results. Slight irritation on the neck on one side as I am probably 'chasing the baby' too much on that side. I'll need to back off a bit.
Bay Rum finish & I'm good to go!

 

Ha! Ha! You read my post, but didn't COMPREHEND my post. I tend to write the way I think, disjointed. I AM going to 9, eventually, but I'm not skipping numbers. My focus is to analyze each setting.

 

Good idea. I may do the same. Thanks.

 

30 day Focus - Day 6
MDC Lavender Face Lathered w/ TOBS Almond
Sputnik Blade (Day 2 on blade, Day 6 on Sputnik)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

Another day, another good shave.

 

You're Rufus T. Does MR. F know you're doing things with Mrs. F?

 

A little blood is all part of the learning. Except for the nicks there was not much irritation. I paid in blood to learn how to shave with a 2011 R41 and now it is my best razor and does not draw any blood.

The weather is terrible, 90 degrees and 90% humidity, I even use QCS Vostok bath soap for my shower. For some reason they don't have AC in the bathrooms here. I think it is to keep people from being lazy. It is truly the dog days of summer here, the traditional food on the hottest days is dog. I don't eat dog so I need to go heavy on the menthol.

 

Me too, my friend. Me too.

 

8/7/15 SOTD (Shave 4 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: “Our Leader” JAS. G. BARRY Co. Chicago, ILL’S Made in Germany
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel/ Linen (50 laps Linen/ 50 laps Leather pre and 10/10 post)
Soap: Barrister & Mann Fireside
Brush: Omega 1066 Boar
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Aubrey Men’s Stock Northwoods with M-Bomb added

Good shave today. Also playing with some clip on lenses for my phone. Not because I needed to, but mostly just to see how it would work, I took this razor to my finest grit Welsh stone last night for a few laps. The Welsh slate is softer than the Translucent Arkansas I had been experimenting with. The razor was very keen, but not as smooth today. Next step might be a combination of both stones.

Did my first pass N/S, second pass on neck and chin only, XTG, and third pass S/N. The razor wasn’t tugging, but it took more pressure to get the results. I only got one cut when I turned my head mid-pass. (Note to self: Don’t do that.) Face and chin are BBS, neck is DFS. Lather was great, and the menthol was a nice finish. Going to do one or two more shaves on this razor, then move to one that has been professionally honed to see the difference in how they feel and how the edge looks. Sometimes I wish I could shave every day.

 

There were some discussion about number of times on a blade last night. So I decided to push my luck. I have been using Feathers for three days and decided to do four this time.

SOTD
Mulcuto Slant
Feather (4)
Prorating green cream
Sapone Di Paulo aftershave balm
Pinaud Special Reserve

I was pleasantly surprised. I still got a DFS with only minor irritation on a small patch on my neck. I could probably continue but think I will stop at four.

 

Herm2502 said: ↑
Wrist "Danger" Watchb?

Bama Samurai said: ↑
CT for Charlie - "Carlos Danger"

Oh cmon now Charlie....surely Carlos Danger knows that shenanigans never sleeps!

 

Upon further review....

Aha, you got me! I'm with you now Herm.
I've had two very nice shaves on 7. My best with the Slim so far. I can stay here for awhile or move up.

I'm ready for 8 when you are.

 

Very jealous of you OC guys. I had only one shave with an OC and really liked it.

Open question - How long did you wet shave before trying an open comb?

I feel another Focus coming on!

 

I never thought I'd like menthol but then one of the worst heat waves hit home. I'm a convert! (Though not of the 'crackstar' variety)

And really like the Mile High Menthol from Caties Bubbles. I use it as is - though I have purchased some TSD M-Bomb to use with other things.

 

I'm thinking the same thing eventually, but I have a few razors to try first and want to do the same for each.

So many razors, so little time....especially with only one shave per day!