August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

August Focus - Slim and Feather AC
August 18
Razor - 1964 Slim (J1)
Blade - (2)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Saint Charles Shave Sandalwood
Post - Cold splash, Alum, The Veg

Well today illustrates well the difference in a Focus and a Rule. My focus was to be the Feather AC today. Now a rule would have meant that was my only choice. However, I chose differently. Due to how I felt when I got up (I have chronic pancreatitis) and my hands are a bit shaky I decided to do day two of the Bic and Slim. The Slim will be on 7 today. Yesterday on 5 they gave me a very very good shave. Let's see if we can improve or at least match.

I also chose the Saint Charles Shave soap today as I have wanted to work with it a bit more to try and get it down. It has, so far, escaped me when trying to get a really nice and persistent lather. So, grab the BoS which usually whips any soap into shave and here we go.

The first lather attempt looked pretty good. Nice brush load so off to the face to lather it. Performed up to par as it usually does meaning it produced a nice if a bit thin lather. I had added water to the brush and some to the puck before loading. By the end of the first pass two things were obvious. First of all, the Bic in a Slim 7 is really really nice. Great pass, felt better than yesterday for smoothness and effect. Fantastic. Second, by the time I finished the left side the lather had clearly thinned. So, second pass I wet my face again and loaded the brush a bit more and really went to town with it. I mean trying to remove the rest of my beard with the friction from the brush. A good lather appeared but nothing like an Arko, or MWF. Well, it covered evenly so let's go. XTG and again the razor and blade were awesome. And, again, the left side was like watching snow melt before I got through it. Rinsed and decided my face was good. Decided to focus on the lather for the neck touchup. I dried my face and loaded the brush. Started face lathering and didn't get nearly enough lather going. Added water to the brush and began to whip it up. Added a bit more, got a bit more result. Finally got it where I wanted it, put the brush down, looked in the mirror and already saw it fading. Rinsed, wet my neck and put a hot towel on it and wet it again and went after the face lather with extra water. Aha!! Now the lather began to build a bit, got stable, looked very very good, put the brush down, grabbed the razor and.............drumroll...............yeah, still dissipated too fast. By the time I got done with the left I was shaving a wet, but not lathered neck.

As for the finish on the shave I give it a very high DFS but I couldn't go for BBS with the lather fading that fast. Can't complain about the result, but I'm done working with the Saint Charles Shave. That does it for me. I've tried every combination I can think. A lot of water, a little water, a middle amount of water. Dry face, wet face, dry brush, wet brush, all combinations. It starts out great but has no lasting power. I think I'm out on this soap. Sorry to say that because it's a local product but if it isn't going to work it isn't going to work. Hopefully there are others who find it perfect for them. I'm out.

So, a straight focus to a Slim focus to a soap focus. All in one day. I'm tired now, I think I'll take a nap.

 

Adam, I for one want to follow along on your journey with the SRs.

 

I think the FOCUS month should remain just that. I would hate to see guys depart from the monthly focus thread because of a theme. I suggested a SE September only because I have 3 SE razors and haven't used them much. So, in September they will be MY focus. If you want to focus on something else, you should do so, just like always. I really enjoy the different "projects" I've read in this, my first, focus month. So, by all means focus on what you want and have fun with it! And if, in the midst of all the focusing, some people develop their own theme I think that's OK. Keep all the great posts coming whatever your focus is!

 

I keep telling myself...FOCUS...FOCUS...

August Focus: 1958 Executive

I've had 3 days of wonderful shaves with my Executive. I did Sunday and Monday on 5 with great results and today I moved up to 6. The result today was even better than Sunday and Monday. I know, I know, I called 5 my "sweet spot", but I might be wrong (OMG is that possible?). I can't believe that the higher settings are as tough as I experienced last week, it's obvious I lost my "focus" at 8 and 9. I've also got some new blades coming my way soon for another wrinkle to my focus. Or could that serve to only blur my vision?

Another factor today was the TSD Iced Signature Scent soap that I used for the first time this morning. What a terrific, easy-to-lather soap! I'm not too sure about the bay rum scent, but the cushioning of this soap really made the shave go great. So thanks to all who suggested TSD soaps!

 

Some of the advice I see in this thread is similar to what I get at work: I am pretty certain it is given with the intention of providing amusement to the giver.

 

I know I enjoy following your progress with straights, as I have every intention of doing a focus on straights myself at some point. I have learned a lot just reading through your progress. I hope to see more of it in the upcoming months, as it is definitely helpful and interesting!

 

It's my understanding that the Focus theme IS based on whatever it is that You wish to Focus on, either equipmentwise or techniquewise, and the only prerequisite is that it pertains to Shaving....and hopefully Traditional Wet Shaving but thats not a prerequisite....These other "Group Focus" things are a subgenre clique within a clique...ha,ha....There could also be several subgroup themes running parallel, concurrently as well as many doing their own Focus Studies...I think this is really a fascinating Thread....

Am I wrong? I could be...I was wrong once back in 1958, it could happen again }8^))

 

BTW
Day 6 of my "30 Day Focus" on my Schick E2

Funny how your body's self-defense mechanism kicks in, and you make intuitive adjustments that improve your shaving experience. I'm finding the term 'no pressure' is taking on a new meaning. Todays shave was between a perfect DFS and a BBS achieved in 2 passes...the second being more of a touch-up pass...

Comments:
1. The lighter touch is rewarding
2. I becoming more aware of the right angle. The angle is very similar to my Ever Readys and GEMs. Only because the head is so much smaller, you have to think about it a little, at first. But if you listen, and let the sound guide you, it's super easy.
3. Can never under estimate the importance of a great lather, especially with a very efficient razor...

Within in this first week, the bonding experience has been quite rewarding...Todays shave was an absolutely irritation free and thoroughly enjoyable Zen-shave...I'm really looking forward to where this is going...

These first two weeks are like a courtship....My next Month's SE Focus may turn out to be the Honeymoon....ha,ha...

 

Yeah, what he said. I think.

 

Razor: Gillette Fat Boy (1961)(5)
Blade: Gillette Platinum (2)
Brush: WDC-4, Silvertip Badger, Butterscotch. (VIG) 24/67
Cream: The Real Shaving Co.
Bowl: Yokohama Studio (Hand Painted) (gift from my Wife)
A/S: RE9 Postshave Balm
Day 18

Everything went so well yesterday I decided to repeat the same for today. Another great shave.

 

Shave 8
18/08
Pre: Village Barber
Soap: Tabac
Brush: Vie Long 2 band custom handle
Razor: Kai Excelia non folding
Blade: Kai Mild (2)
AS: Old Spice Musk

Weird shave tonight. 2nd shave with the Kai Mild and first shave with Tabac.
Shave seemed to go well until I rinsed of the lather after 2 passes and looked in the mirror and discovered I had loads of weepers on my neck and a couple on both cheeks.
I haven't had this many for a long while.
Maybe the Kai isn't the blade for me or I need a bit more practice. I will try it 1 more time before switching back to the Feather Proguard.

I bought a load of samples the other day. There is only enough for about 3 shaves with each one. Tried the Tabac and quite impressed with the performance.
not so keen on the scent though.

 

I agree on the Tabac scent. I'm not a fan.

 

I've never tried it. What is the scent like?

 

8/18/15 SOTD (Shave 10 of this Focus)
Two and a half days’ growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: Ontario Cutlery Co. 5/8 (Muted) Spike Point
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel/ Linen
Soap: The Shave Den Iced Yin Yang (Lavender Lime with Menthol)
Brush: Omega 1066 Boar
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: The Shave Den Splash Iced Yin Yang (Lavender Lime with Menthol)

Did a little bit more work with the razor on my hones. Got some tugging, but over all a decent shave. DFS, but it took three passes to get there. No cuts. I muted the point on this when I was working on it last. I enjoyed the soap and aftershave, but overall wasn’t too happy with the shave. Got some feedback on a picture of the edge, and apparently you can shave with a razor without getting the bevel set correctly, it just takes more work. I also seem to have gotten one of the better pictures I have taken for my shave gear.

Thanks for the feedback on the themed focus. I enjoy participating in this thread, and just wanted to make sure we weren’t going to only specific themes. Looks like shenanigans of all kinds will continue!

 

When the whole 30 day group began it was @Bama Samurai who put forth the challenge for a 30 day Rule, per @GDCarrington . There were quite a few newbies, including myself, and he wanted to do something new as well. A Rule, of course, is much stricter than a Focus. In fact the whole "30 day Focus" didn't really exist formally at that time. We were soon joined by several "old-timers" who wanted to have some fun and work on part of their setup, or technique etc., but who didn't want to be tied down to one specific setup for the month. They were welcomed in and Chris invented a "hybrid" rule that allowed that.

The Focus came at the end of the month when the almighty and all wise and all knowing @GDCarrington introduced a revision to the 30 Day Rule that also spelled out a Focus. So, the 30 day group can involve someone doing a Rule, like a newbie learning basic technique, a veteran working out problems in technique etc., or someone who wants to learn to lather a particular soap well, or master a razor but use different soaps or brushes etc. All are welcome and it's what makes the group so interesting I think.

As far as the theme for the month? That was a fun addition starting, I think, with "Arko April" and we've just kind of kept it up. Those who want to join the theme and apply it to their focus or rule are certainly more than welcome to do so! I, for instance, did a Rule in April with the CJB using that razor, my Pro 48 brush, Kai blades and Arko soap to keep with the theme. I could have chosen another soap for the rule but hey, I like Arko and it works so why not? Kind of like choosing the Slim for August...I had two suddenly show up so I might as well go with that to have some fun as well. Those who don't want to work on the theme but have another rule or focus are free to do their thing. And we all get smarter and shave better and have lots of fun and shenanigans along the way!

​

 

(Well I started this post earlier today, right after Adam posted his thoughts about the group. I'm just now back to it and see that others have commented already. I think my thoughts are similar to most. It's just that, as usual, i need a lot more words!)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Adam.
(It's just another thing I like about this site. And if Neal gets two cents, here's my penny! Though I just noted that Neal posted on the subject a second time...is that 4 cents now?)

For me, this 30-day thread is my favorite thread in TSD.
IMO, no other thread provides the regular, real time support to the technical side of shaving. (Though the tutorial thread provides some "encyclopedic" type reference material.)

So to have a thread like this is invaluable to me as a newbie. And I hope it will continue to be a teaching tool for me (and novice and experts alike) as I explore other types of wetshaving beyond DEs.

I think part of the reward is not only learning about the equipment I'm using, but noticing all the other equipment other participants use - and picking up tips from them - directly (through their posts to me) or indirectly ( from me reading their daily posts and realizing I can learn things even if we're using different equipment).

In fact, I remember when I first started I got a simple tip to turn my head when shaving to look at the angle of the blade, not only the coverage of the stroke. I think that came from someone using a Straight or other type of focus - Adam, Troy, or perhaps Clint.

Though @Bama Samurai provides a ton of info and advice, I know he can't do it all and a thread like this depends on community and not one individual - though I shudder to think about what happens to this thread if he ever left. So I think it's real important that this thread meet the needs of any type of wetshaver.

That's why I was so happy to see @Bird Lives join us. And I hope he stays for awhile with his knowledge of injectors and SEs as well as guys like you, Adam, on the straights.

Now that finally gets me to the group focus each month.

I'm interested in having this thread stay as a place where all types of shavers congregate and cross-contribute to others. At the same time, the human dynamic is such that if I see someone that's using a particular razor (or soap, or blade, etc) as a focus and I've been thinking about doing similar, I may just consider dropping what I thought I was going to be focusing on and do similar with the other shaver. Or not. Sometimes I learn better when doing with someone, sometimes I don't.

So if a bunch of guys do a group focus, I agree, it can sometimes seem that the thread is dominated by their conversations (and shenanigans) but I would not want anyone to feel left out or diminished by not being part of the large focus group.

We don't necessarily have to give each month it's own name. I think the idea of doing that may be to attract more people into this thread from the larger TSD.

So Adam, though a medical condition (a whole other story for another time) keeps me from ever trying a straight razor, I really value having you and Kevin, Seabs, etc as part of this thread and learning from you. Hopefully those who aren't using the same equipment as you, provide you with insight as well.

Again, just my one cent.
Cheers!
RT

 

Using a straight fits perfectly under the guidelines of either a rule or focus. If you desire to stay with the straights, by all means, please do. I think what you are seeing is guys multitasking the SOTD themes with their rules and foci. Your thinking is most correct. And you're not allowed to go anywhere, we want and need you here. You are one of the originals!

I will be doing a strict rule again next month, but that's just me. The variety of stuff on this thread is one of the most appealing things here. I know I don't interact or give much input on SR, but it's only because I don't know to use one...but I love seeing them out here!

I love you guys like brothers.

Carry on.

 

We do technique here. If your rule/focus conforms to some other theme, that is just bonus! All who are doing any sort of 30 Day Rule or Focus per the guidelines of GDC are right on track! All types of equipment and shavers of all experience levels are welcome here.

 

Day 17 - 18 August 2015

30 Day Rule - Phoenix OC


​

Gonna change the blade tomorrow, it's slowing down a bit. I have just about figured out the stroke and stretch pattern for my chin. The Phoenix keeps performing well, and it was the usual 2 pass automatic smoothness! Stayed with alum and Clubman under ISZ for the finish. Cold front came through today, only about 71 F today. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

​

 

August 30 Day Rule

I want to agree with pretty much everything everyone has already said. This thread is invaluable to newbies like myself. Whether it is advice and wisdom from people like Chris or yourself Adam; watching and learning from others progress, successes, and even mistakes; or the ability to keep a daily record of my own progress, successes, and Lord knows mistakes, this forum has been a God send to me. I will probably never use straights, may never own a SE, and may not get an adjustable any time soon, but I will read and digest and try to learn anything I can from all the people using their equipment.

As for my shave today, another good one! Started with a nice smooth WTG pass on the face paying special attention and focus to the chin. I realize that I really need to do more of a half circle around my chin and not just go straight down it (if that makes any sense) in order to get the closest shave without nicks or weepers. The neck got the XTG first pass and it went very well. The area near the bottom just off the centerline of the neck has always been a trouble zone and today it was very nice after just the first pass.

Second pass was XTG on the face and ATG on the neck. Very smooth. Love the GSB blade as it never seems to pull or tug or anything no matter how coarse or thick my growth has become. Paid special attention to the chin again, and especially the crease above the chin. Managed to do a good job with it, but not super smooth. No baby today and I did not chase it. The neck turned out really smooth maybe even baby like. Though I have to admit that was after a couple touch ups on the jaw line.

No blood, no irritation, a good shave! Tomorrow will be back to focusing on the chin and the crease. The jaw line will also get some attention.

Happy shaving!