August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

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)

 

1959 E3 Gillette Fat Boy
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #2 with the Gillette 7 0'Clock Super Stainless (Green) in my '59 Fat Boy set to 4. A nice shave, close and comfortable with the only slight irritation on the neck during touch up.
2 Full passes: Pass 1 WTG on my face and XTG on my neck. Pass 2: ATG. There were a few more spots remaining after my 2nd pass than yesterday. I had to lather the left side of my neck and part of my right for my touch up. While I did some skin stretching and a J-hook in one spot, I resisted blade buffing. Yesterday I had quite a bit of irritation develop over the first couple of hours on my neck where the button hole of my shirt rubbed against it.
It had calmed down by this morning, but I didn't want a repeat. My skin didn't like the blade going over that spot this morning, but I tried to treat it gently and it seems OK at this point. Aqua Velva seemed quieter this morning, but I could feel a few areas of stubble while rubbing it in. But once the A/S had dried, all but two of those areas disappeared, and I was left with a near BBS shave.

A surprise near BBS from the green 7 0'Clock Super Stainless that made me work hard last time. The Fat Boy seems a much better fit for this than my Super Speed.

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 11:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Tiki Cabernet Neroli SS
'58 Gillette TV Special
Stirling Unscented PSB
Brut Classic AS

Last day on the TV Special before switching back to the Phoenix. The past four days were 4 good shaves, topped off by today. The TV Special has proven to be a great performer, and I am not expecting the Phoenix to top it.

 

08/12/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set on 9
Blade – Ladas (2)
Brush – Zenith Pro Aluminum Boar B2
Lather – Soap Commander Renewal
Post - Witch Hazel & Myrsol F/Extra



All in all, a very good work morning shave. 3 passes, WTG, XTG, and ATG, all set on 9 and I ended up with a near BBS. So far this Boar Brush is breaking in nicely. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol and it's off to fight the heat and the morning commute.

 

30 day Focus - Day 11
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Rapira Platinum Lux Blade (Day 1 on blade, Day 5 on Rapira Platinum Lux)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

Today's shave was miles ahead of yesterday's failed shave. Today I go the shave I usually get. 3 passes and smooth as silk.

 

8/12/15 SOTD (Shave 7 of this focus)
One days’ growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: Gillette Old Type with Hibco handle
Blade: Voskhod- New Blade
Soap: Barrister & Mann Lime, Lavender & Cedarwood with M-bomb
Brush: Omega 1066 Boar
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman with M-Bomb

Used the DE today, to make sure I got a great shave. Used a Voskhod blade in it, which I have never used before. Did one pass ATG, and a little touch up on my trouble spots. BBS shave, with very little effort. Was an easy shave, but the Alum lit me up today. Apparently I was using the razor a little more aggressively than I should have.