August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I'm with you. Make him unknowingly acquire solid techniques first. RAD is even better if one understands the razors they are buying.

 

Self-lubricating?

Why because it uses the blood of the unsuspecting shaver as lubricant?

 

Fixed. Spooky connection behind the firewall. Rewired and back in business, hopefully for good. And FWIW, I don't do alligator circumcision or change the spark plugs on a three cylinder tractor. I am just a redneck who has seen some stuff...

 

The theory is that the razor leaves behind enough lather on the first stroke to make a second pass without relathering.

 

You'd be shocked how mild a Phoenix shave feels.

 

It looks nice to me. I love my open comb razor almost as much as I do my Fatboy. I'm very interested in the Phoenix.

Oh no, my RAD is flaring up.

 

Here's a video review of the Phoenix, if you can trust a guy with pointed ears.

 

Just the kinda guy I want with me in a dark alley. Just don't forget your electricians tape and alligator clips!

 

Cool razor!
'Cept I think the guy had it slip when he was shaving his head! (And clipped those ears!)

 

Never use alligator clip on actual alligator.

-Chinese Proverb.


Ironically, electrical tape is the preferred choice when subduing a large alligator.

 

And conversely a large alligator is the preferred choice when subduing an electrician.

 

Slept in a bit today, as this weekend has been 12 hour night shifts. I woke to the neighbor using his chainsaw. This tidbit will be important later.

Anyhow, I promised to start with the Slim set on 6 today, so I did. Took the normal shower, followed by Proraso preshave then TSD vanilla soap, bombed. Did a quick 2 pass (I slept in remember) xtg / atg shave.

As I was half way into the second pass, I heard the chainsaw being shut off and there was a persistant loud knocking on the door. The knocking got louder with cries of "Hello! Hello!?" My immediate thought was Oh no, the neighbor cut himself! I wrapped a towel around my naked wet body (I'm a 275 lb. white guy who always wears a tee shirt in California, just for the visual) and ran to the door, lather still clinging to the left side of my face.

Well, it was just a delivery man delivering my latest orders. As I'm trying to thank him and hold up the towel at the same time, I hear the neighbor kid giggle and yell "Daddy, look!" The neighbor immediately starts laughing while trying to tell his son not to be rude, then I start laughing and wave, saying "Umm, sorry, man!" He laughs some more as the delivery man is apologizing profusely.

All in all, a nice little break in the middle of the shave.

So, finished that last pass and didn't take the time for touchups. Folowed it up with the usual Proraso preshave used as a balm and Gabels, bombed. It wound up a dfs, and a bbs on the cheeks with no irritation and no effort whatsoever!

I even noticed while running around at work turning valves and such while sweating like the proverbial pig that there was no burning sensation on the neck from the sweat. None. When I was scraping my face with the carts, shave day sweat was the most irritating thing in the world! The aftershave burn that would not go away. Now, no burn whatever! I thought back, and this hasn't happened in a few weeks. Amazing! The more I wet shave, the more little things pop up that remind me of how I wish I'd been doing this all along!

I keep forgetting to mention I've been sticking with my usual Derby blades because my face loves them.

The thing about this focus nad the Slim in particular is that I am loving this razor more and more the more agressive the setting is! Let's see if there is a turnaround on 7,8, or 9!

 

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

Shave #3 with the Gillette Silver Blue in my '59 Fat Boy set to 4 (unchanged from yesterday). A really nice, smooth, very comfortable shave.
Shave Prep difference: in addition to showering, I also used Noxzema for the first time. I put a thin layer on my stubble before the shower and when I got back out. Then wet my face and applied lather. The result was a noticeably slicker surface.
2 Full passes: Pass 1 WTG on my face and XTG on my neck. Pass 2: ATG. I had very little stubble remaining at this point. A solid DFS with only a baby chase remaining. While I had very little stubble to get, they were in my normal spots: left and center of my neck and my left jaw. I used J-hooking on my jaw and blade buffing on my neck. I felt no stubble on my final rinse. Aqua Velva quiet this morning other than the icy feeling of the menthol. It did cause some stubble to jump up, but after the A/S dried I was left with a BBS result.
Note to self: pay close attention to the grain of these A/S awakened whiskers to improve ATG pass.

A great shave from the Gillette Silver Blue in my '59 Fat Boy with an assist from Noxzema. I think I'll try this combination again tomorrow morning with a different blade. Maybe the Personna Platinum (Israeli Reds)?

 

I was thinking my next focus would be a September Sampler. Kind of shave a few days with each of my razors. Figured on going from oldest to most recent. Need to tell the wife I need one of those Phoenix Double OCs... I'd like to include that one too.

I really want the Gillette New LC also, but that will be available later. I want to be sure to snag one of those Double OCs before they go the way of the Razoroc Jaws and several other recent razors I've heard about that can't seem to be found anymore.

 

08/17/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set on 9
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – EJ XL STF
Lather – AOS Sandalwood Cream
Post - Witch Hazel & Captain’s Choice Sandalwood with Menthol Added



A great 3 pass near BBS shave this morning. About the best I can do on a workday morning. The EJ synthetic brush lathered up the AOS cream into a thick slick lather. Finished off with CC Sandalwood with menthol added.

 

But it is a gentle cat! It really is a fine razor, IMO. Of my small and humble collection, it is proving to be a top performer.

 

I definitely recommend the Phoenix, if you get the chance!

 

Us electrical types have learned to see stay away from alligators, especially large ones!

 

While, I wouldn't forgo the relather, it does leave behind enough lather for some buffing, if require. It actually leaves a lot more behind than I would have thought when I first got it.

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 16:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Frozen Tundra
Gillette Fatboy
Osage Rub
Stirling Unscented PSB
Proraso AS

Another great shave with the FB. It really is a great razor that combines heft with a nice smoothness. Have a great Monday!