August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Buddy Ebson, of Beverly Hillbillies fame was originally chosen to play the Tin Man, but developed a life threatening lung infection due to the aluminum powder used in the make up. Here he is in a wardrobe test shot. When Jack Haley took over the role they changed the makeup to avoid this problem, although he did develop eye infections during the filming.

 

Thanks for the good advice. I think you're right. I seemed to have a problem getting the correct angle with the blade exposure at the higher settings. Today I went back to 6 and started my focus over. Thanks again.

 

You're obviously better at this than I. I've got to regroup before trying 8 or 9 again.

 

Day 11 - 12 August 2015

30 Day Rule - Phoenix OC


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Day four on the blade, and yet another great shave from this kit. Still working on a chin shaving pattern, but I am constantly impressed by the mild yet efficient nature of the Phoenix. The normal 2 pass automatic smoothness was in effect. The Alum felt good and the TSD ISZ AS was the finish again today. We are now halfway through a busy week. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a triumphant Thursday!
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Now Herm, don't start comparing. Like I keep saying I'm at a huge advantage, not having to do my upper lip and chin. I'm certain my progress wouldn't be as quick if not for that. In fact, every time I get aggressive around the corner of my mouth I get a nick or a weeper or irritation.

So I've had 3 months to perfect my stroke on my cheeks, jawline and neck.

Now I'm not suggesting you grow a beard!

But what worked for me when I get out of sync is kinda like what @clint64 said...

And @NCoxSTL

And of course @Bama Samurai always says - "Technique trumps tools."

So go back to what made you comfortable, even if it's a different razor that you're more comfortable with, and recenter yourself.

And if all else fails, do what I used to do in college when I was just getting by and these other guys were getting the best grades - "if those morons can do it, then so can I!"

So if ol' Rufus can do it so can you!
:wave:

 

Another 2 pass xtg and atg today wit the Slim at 4. Started with a hot shower, followed by Proraso preshave. I was in a Bay Rum mood, so I used some Colnel Conks Bay Rum soap, bbombed. Followed the shave with the usual cold rinse, Proraso preshave used as a balm then splashed a liberal dose of Gabel's Bay Rum, bombed again.

Nice shave save from a small weeper on the neck, no Styptic necessary. BBS, but I think I chased it a little too fervently, hence theweelper. Very little irritation, however.

Next shave is at 5, so I think I'like give my beard an extra day to grow and wait until Friday. I do have a pretty light beard. We will see if I feel the same tomorrow, however, lol.

 

For me with my slim, the most comfortable shaves were at 6 or 7. Above that gave me a lot of irritation in two passes, below it gave me a four pass shave.

 

OK, there is no way in Hades I am going to get through this focus without changing some of it. Today, I purchased two fine American Straights, one of which is shave ready. Then after my wife went to bed, I got to playing with another eBay razor, and polished and sharpened it to where I think it is shave ready.
New Purchases.
Razor Refresh.
My original plan was to stick with three razors, to get a feel for them, and see what I could do to refresh an edge with my hones. The first of the three razors, I got a pretty good feel for. I think I am going to use the shave ready incoming razor as my control, see if I can get the Ontario up to shave ready, and start working on the Spike. So I am changing things up, and hope no one gets upset. In summary, where is that no good public defender @Rufus T. who is supposed to be defending me?

 

Your honor, if the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit! (Oops, sorry wrong case.)

Your honor @Bama Samurai , my client must be allowed to revise his plan. And we ask for mercy with an insanity plea! (I mean this guy talks about putting a long sharp object up to his throat each day, need I say more.)

So please absolve him of his previous commitment.
(And I'll get his jacket with the straps ready for his next one! ).

 

August 30 Day Rule

Had an excellent shave Wednesday morning! Smooth! No nicks, weepers, or irritation at all! It was a nice take it slow and concentrate on technique and it really paid off with an excellent shave. Right now about 16 hours after my shave it still feels smooth! As y'all say, technique technique technique!

I do have to admit one thing though . . . I kinda had a minor violation (I am deeming it minor at least) of the Rule rules because I changed brushes today to try a new one I received. I switched from my VDH boar to a Fine Badger. Definitely very different using the badger instead of the boar. The badger felt great but was much tougher to get a good thick lather. Will be switching back to the boar to complete my 30 Day Rule, so only the one lapse. The badger will be there when I am done.

 

Since it's SR, and he makes cool strops--we could allow him a "professional courtesy", as it might be called. He, as an upstanding member of the Leather working/SR/TSD must necessarily be allowed to observe the normal interaction of any new SR with his hones and leather goods. There are no other reasonable rulings available to resolve this matter, though we must concede that it does alter the original focus slightly.

And this note came in to Samurai HQ earlier--


Dearest Adam,

Please replace the Day-Glo Orange with black horn or salvage Dubl Duck scales. There is a German tossing in his grave somewhere.

Warm regards,

The Duckling

That is all. Carry on.

 

Well first off, newbies don't get to deem. So that's strike one.
(You get two more strikes.)


However, you do get points for self-reporting.

Give yourself some credit for the progress you made so far. No big.
But I'm learning that the commitment to that first month doing a Rule has really set me up well to cement some basic skills - and it helps so much when you finally get to experience all the bright and shinies!

One way I would reward myself during the Rule (and alleviate some of the boredom) would be to rotate thru as many aftershaves and post balms as I'd like. The month will go by quicker than you think. Stay with it.
Cheers!
RT

 

Bama Samurai stole "Technique Trumps Tools" from the TSD welcome card of @GDCarrington , 3 T's are his shorthand.

 

But --you clearly see that different techniques are needed when switching equipment. This is why we encourage people to stick to one thing. As far as a violation goes, it was a learning experience worth thinking about. No worries! The main things to be learning now are angle, pattern and pressure. It sounds as if you're doing fine with all that!

 

I apologize for being presumptuous in deeming it a minor violation. I beg mercy. That brush was just sitting there tempting me, tormenting me, torturing me. I was weak and gave in. I will not let it happen again.

Though, I do wonder what happens when I get strike 3????

Inquiring minds want to know!

Seriously, thanks for the encouragement! I have also found the rotating of AS has been a big help to keep monotony at bay. I am definitely enjoying the learning and the process and as I said before my shaves as a whole!

 

You're


Well first off, newbies don't get to deem. So that's strike one.
(You get two more strikes.)
However, you do get points for self-reporting.

Give yourself some credit for the progress you made so far. No big.
But I'm learning that the commitment to that first month doing a Rule has really set me up well to cement some basic skills - and it helps so much when you finally get to experience all the bright and shinies!

One way I would reward myself during the Rule (and alleviate some of the boredom) would be to rotate thru as many aftershaves and post balms as I'd like. The month will go by quicker than you think. Stay with it.
Cheers!
RT

Strike three? No more cookies.

 

August Focus - Slim and Feather AC
August 12
Razor - 1964 Gillette Slim (J1)
Blade - (1)
Brush - BoS
Soap - Saint Charles Shave Sandalwood
Post - Cold Rinse, Alum, Aqua Velva Musk

Yes, I'm still here. It's now 12:19 a.m. in St. Louis and I've been home for about a half hour. Dinner is reheating in the microwave after a rather long day making people's dreams come true. So, finally, here's my report from this morning's shave.

Switched to the Ladas for a few days. One of my favorite Russians, certainly my favorite Russian stainless blade. Want to see what it will do in the Slim with different settings. I grabbed the Omega 10066 and decided to try the Saint Charles Shave Sandalwood again. This soap is made about 15 minutes away from me and I really really want to love it and be able to buy a lot of it. The Sandalwood scent is great and I've heard great things about their other scents as well. I have a sample of the Bay Rum that I will try as well. The problem? Inconsistent and dissipating lathers. So, away we go. The Slim is on 5 today.

Left the brush wet and went after the St. Charles. It seemed to load well and even began to produce a lather in its wooden bowl. Got a good brushload and went for the face lather. Actually not too bad. Great scent and I got a good coating that seemed to last well through the first pass. The actual shave was smooth with some feedback. Nice feel to it and good result on the first pass. The Ladas is a bit noisier than the Voskhod, probably due to the lack of Teflon. Lathered for the second pass and yep, there it is...the lather wants to dissipate. Kind of like Williams only not quite that bad. Worked the face lather a bit extra and it seemed to improve slightly. Did an XTG and got another good pass out of the blade and razor. Third pass for the neck and I had trouble getting the lather. Squeezed the brush and didn't get much out of it so I reloaded a bit and got a good enough lather to work. Finished DFS but puzzled by the soap.

As far as the razor and blade go, I think 5 on the Slim with Ladas isn't bad but I expect 7 to be better. That's where we'll go tomorrow, well actually in about six hours. I'm going to stay with the Saint Charles and try different brushes, water etc. until I either figure it out or have to give up on it. I'm hoping I'm smart enough to make it work. Hope everyone had a great day! I'm way behind on here but I'll catch up.

 

Blue was always more my color, although I did at one point.....and I'm not making this up........have a purple suit. Not lavender, not light purple, not really dark purple, I'm talking PURPLE! I had the matching coat and slacks and also slacks that were white with purple flowers on them. I wore a pink or lavender shirt with them, collar popped and my turquoise choker. You wanna know how to get chicks in the 70s? Yeah baby!!

 

This is my brother who is ten years older than me. This was at his prom in 1973 with his now wife. They have been married 40 years. Dig the purple crushed velvet tux. Vintage 70s

 

Now THAT'S what I'm taking about.