August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Glad to hear your blood sacrifice appeased the shaving gods and you are back to nice shaves.

And eat some steak for me!

 

Well said. Technique trumps all. Why did I cut myself Sunday? Technique problem. Almost every nick/cut or other major problem I've had has been a result of poor technique (not counting the Russian Soyuz 1 and it's amazing changing blade gaps). Great idea to lock in the settings and the technique to see where you really are and know where to go from there.

 

In Mother Russia the blade gap changes you!

 

It certainly does. And has. And not for the better. For the bloodier.

 

August 12 Shave 9

3 passes and all was well except 2 weepers. Irritation was very light which is my focus this month but I'm wish I was getting closer shaves. Finished with my Cobra for DFS and the only irritation was where I had the 2 weepers.

Homemade Pre Shave
AoS Tallow Sandalwood
Omega Pro boar
Hart 7/8 - Cobra Classic
Dry Gulch bench strop horsehide
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Jeris Osage (stored in the fridge) AS
Speick ASB
Chanel Platinum Egoiste

 

When I have an important meeting I go with something I know gives me a great shave, never with anything untried.

Good luck.

 

Relax and enjoy the times! We'll be here when you get back.

 

Astra SP is a popular choice around here, and also a great value.

 

The key is probably going to be strict blade angles. Keep it low...the stinging may be from the blade scraping your skin versus gliding across the surface at a low angle.

Ymmv, of course. I know we all joke around about "set it on eleven and let it rip", but this focus is to evaluate your needs the Executive. Maybe you should work back through 6-9? It can take a few shaves to really get a feel for new angles.

 

and the crazy part....shaving DE exclusively may alter your beard map. it might make it more regular over time. So far, so good!

 

XTG plus ATG may be the best way to do it. Are you going to stick with this? Is your face getting faster at recovering between shaves?

 

The veg! My man! Glad you're up off the bench!

 

I will definitely not complain at all about it becoming more regular as zones right beside each other can go in totally opposite directions.

Have to admit, I am enjoying the 30 Day Rule and just focusing on getting technique down and all the basics covered. I am looking forward to trying new things, don't get me wrong, but overall I am really enjoying shaving which is something I have not done in a long time!

 

I'll try. It's nice to know I can shave every day and stay smoothe, and yes, the face is recovering much faster. Don't know if it's because of better technique or that I'm getting a tougher face.

 

Day 10 - 11 August 2015

30 Day Rule - Phoenix OC


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Day three with this Rapira Swede and the blade is still going strong. I am really liking La Toja, it seems to be very agreeable with my skin. No dryness or anything negative. The lather is thick, slick and easy to work. And today another very nice 2 pass automatic from the Phoenix. Alum was nearly silent, and today I used TSD ISZ on a humid and sunny day. Spent the afternoon with my Mom's sister dodging hail, rain, lightning and the occasional funnel cloud or two. Such is summertime on the prairie east of Denver. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
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I think it's probably both. I definitely recall that my skin kind of smoothed out and toughened up at the same time I was working on acquiring good technique. When first starting, I swore my face would never be able to handle 24 hour intervals, so I shaved every 48 as I learned. Now, anything after 18-20 is comfortable, and ( ymmv of course) one of the "side effects" of DE for me has been better skin.

 

I am glad you're enjoying this and acquiring skill that will allow you to properly try new things. I may be like you, I avoided shaving for eight years before DE. I hate missing a day now!

 

I unfortunately was a cartridge or electric shaver and it was just a chore I did. I would shave every few days because I had to for work or mostly because I hated the feeling of a beard. Now thinking of getting up and getting to use a great smelling soap, then getting a nice smooth shave even if with a few missteps here and there, it is so much better. Also, like you said the skin feels sooooo much better than it ever did with the canned goo. I am definitely hooked and will not go back!

 

Shave 5
11/08
Pre: Village Barber
Soap: Wickham Super Smooth Spice Trade
Brush: Semogue SOC Badger
Razor: Kai Excelia non folding
Blade: Feather Proguard (5)
AS: Old Spice Original (Indian version)

Decent shave tonight. DFS in 2 passes. A little sting with the Old Spice probably due to technique rather than the blade losing its edge.
(Still not bored with the Kai)