August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I'll stick with it. I'm not going to let it beat me! Thanks for the encouragement!

 

Razor: Gillette Executive (1960)(7)
Blade: Gillette Platinum (6)
Brush: WDC-4, Silvertip Badger, Butterscotch. (VIG) 24/67
Cream: Lea Classic
Bowl: Fendrihan
A/S: Fine American Blend
Day 8

Moved the Executive to #7 and didn't notice any difference from yesterday's #6. Had a DFS with 3 passes tonight. Fine American Blend is a very good A/S.

 

Clint, that's for sure. The Slim loaded with a Feather gives some nice audible feedback.

I like the EJ Synthetic brush, but I have yet to create mounds of lather with it. I get enough for a two-pass shave but not enough for three passes. I've tried to wet the knot differently, including the technique you mentioned about putting drops of water in the center. I'm spending the time working the lather, and it's plenty slick. However, it tends to thin out rather than whip up into a thick lather. Maybe I'm adding too much water? (I do notice that this brush drips quite a bit of water as I'm lathering. I suspect this is due to the fibers not being able to soak up the water like badger hair.) Maybe it's due to the Trumper's cream? Or maybe it's some combination of the water and the cream? I plan to stay with the Trumper's and this brush for my August focus, but I am open to suggestions.

 

Maybe slow down the rate that you add the water so that the water incorporates into the lather better. Figures I bought the brush specifically to lather Mystic Waters and the test lather with my new $25 boar was as good or better. I am going to rotate the new Zenith Boar and Shavemac next week but I'll pick up the EJ Synthetic the following week. The only cream I have on hand is the AOS Sandalwood but I'll give it a try.

 

I have really enjoyed my Fine Aftershaves, Platinum and L' Orange. The American Blend is on my list to try.

 

Thanks Clint. I will slow down on the water addition to see if this helps. Your observations while using your EJ brush to lather your AOS Sandalwood cream will be helpful. Your new Zenith Boar brush looks great! How is it working out for you?

 

I will order the A/S you mentioned. I very much like American Blend.

 

They are very good quality. As always scent is YMMV.

 

I prefer glass bottles also.

 

Me too. It just seems nicer coming from a glass bottle. I like the Fine bottles. Sort of a small whiskey bottles.

 

Good point!

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 7:

Homemade PS Oil
Simpsons Commodore X3 Best Badger
Musco Real Classic SC
Ralf Aust 5/8
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Musco Real Classic AS

So after this week using the Milord and Phoenix, I will say that I prefer the Phoenix. It is a smoother shave all around. I just had a little irritation on my neck aftef each use of the Milord. Tomorrow, I will switch to a different razor yet to be determined. I am leaning towards a '58 TV Special, but may also look at a FB.

 

I'll let you if I like them. Thank goodness for Italian Barber.

 

The Platinum has a funny smell in the bottle but smells fantastic on the skin. At least is does to me and more importantly the wife.

 

I am pretty sure I had a healthy cut on one of my first shaves with that razor. As in I grew a goatee while it healed. The mental image of your better half walking in on the blood is pretty funny. Glad to hear that other than the cut it was a good shave.

 

Thanks for the information. I'll keep you up to date. I should have the A/S by the end of the week.

 

I love the Platinum. One of my favorites. The Fresh Vetiver is good as well.

 

And I assumed that the correct answer had already been given and I'd lost out... Rufus T. Firefly who woos (and insults) Mrs. Teasdale (played by Margaret Dumont).

 

I will do a 30 focus next month. I'm getting too much nice stuff in the mail right now. I'll start out by changing nothing at all except for proraso scents to finely hone my technique, then focus on finding a favorite blade.

 

August 9 Shave 7

Due to pointy corners that lead to small nicks I replaced the Rasurpur Kami with a Ralph Aust 5/8. Todays shave only one tiny weeper. The lather was excellent, three passes and I didn't see any blood except for a tiny weeper. I was tempted to do a clean up or 4th pass but decided not too. This months focus is the reduce pressure and go for less irritation. I still can't resist the urge to try to get a closer shave hence I am still using to much pressure but I am using less than before. Light irritation and almost DFS again.

Proraso Pre Shave
Santa Maria Novella cream
Rooney Silver Tip
Ralph Aust 5/8
Dry Gulch bench strop horsehide
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Alcolado Glaciall AS
Muhle ASB
Dior Eau Sauvage

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!