August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Yes.

 

What are you experiencing that makes it more comfortable with the FB?

 

I must shave. Vacation days includes shaves for me. I feel all out of sort if I miss now.

 

You're about to use three very nice blades!

 

Day 19 - 20 August 2015

30 Day Rule - Phoenix OC


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...day two on this blade, and skin stretching was on my mind. @wmbjr had asked, so I did a methodical and precise shave today. It actually made me realize that my routine is not as tight as I thought. But, nonetheless, the capable Phoenox/Rapira Swede combo pulled of the usual two pass automatic smoothness, albeit with some touchup under the chin. Today was my second usage of Citrus Musk, and I can't figure out the scent yet, but Mrs. Samurai approves and it stays. Back to 92F on the prairie today. Wildfire smoke from Oregon and Washington reduced visibility in Colorado to two miles. Pray for them, some very brave men paid a heavy price fighting that fire yesterday, it's a hard situation for those involved in those fires. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a fabulous Friday!
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New avatar?

 

Well again, it's only been two shaves with the FB. So I haven't dismissed the jury yet. In fact I will revisit this again...in some month, but after two shaves,

the glide of the blade through the whiskers at around 5-7 seems smoother on it. The sound is a bit softer through each cut.

Now I'll also add that I ran into an operator-error lather problem with the Slim as I reached the highest settings during the last days of the trial with it. So that may have contributed.

So it's an initial reaction, for now, unless you can think of something else I should be looking for with adjustables?

Thanks Chris!

 

Phoenix is available here. I'll join if you start one!

 

Actually, I am asking because I have not tried the FB. I did a month on a Slim, but then went injector and OC nuts.

 

You will need some OG members with the original Grand Shave King. I offer my services

 

How could I have overlooked? The GSK ain't called the King for nothing...

 

Ah, I see. This "worries" me.

I really want to like the adjustables. But I've had a taste of an OC (New LC - one shave - loved it - no irritation) and I use an injector most days (to trim around the mustache/goatee - and occasionally a touch up here and there) and am amazed by the smooth closeness. So I really want to get to trying those razors soon.

But I want to make sure I give the adjustables their due. But I'd almost need another month or so with them to assess them and adjust my technique with them. Don't get me wrong, I've had great shaves with them and I also recognize that I may also pushing myself a bit by trying for two-pass shaves and not sticking with three for awhile longer.

I almost wonder if I should have saved them for later down the road after gaining more experience - say with a SuperSpeed and others. You know, really cementing my technique with different fixed blades, without the complication of adjusting blades exposure from 1 to 9. I've only had two months on a Tech as a reference point and recognize a need to make adjustments with different razors, but sometimes I feel that using an adjustable may complicate that.

Oh well, it's late and I'm probably complicating things. First world problems. I'm so fortunate!

 

The Tech is the perfect starter. There have been more Tech and Tech clones made than any other model, all time.

 

I suggest sticking to two pass. It demands acquisition of more muscle memory and precision to pull it off.

 

August 21 Shave 12

Back from Macau it was fun but I will not be buying any new gear for a month. Going thing I have enough shave stuff to last for years so it's back to straight shaving today.

Three good passes with the Dovo one tiny weaker and things feel good on the irritation front but still not where were I want to be on closeness. Took out the Futur for the fourth pass and some touch up. Check with the alum and very little burn, not the zero burn level of a DE shave but definitely acceptable.

Proraso Pre Shave
QCS Cubano Breeze. cream
Simpson Polo 8 Super
Dovo Bismark 2 and Merkur Futur
Dry Gulch bench strop horsehide
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Alcolado Glacial (stored in the fridge) AS
Speick ASB
Guerlain Habit Rouge

TGIF

 

Congratulations on the BBS. You have made huge progress this month.

 

Today's Shave, Day 8 in my 30 Day Focus with my Schick E2
Man, yesterday's shave with my 1955 Schick Hydro-magic, sure set the bar very, very High...
But today, I approached the shave, as if nothing had happened....
I took a very hot shower and shampooed and conditioned by whiskers. Ran the Hot water in the sink full blast on my Williams Soap and brush. Splashed my whiskers a few more times and went at it.

I rubbed the hot wet Williams in tight little circles firmly into my whiskers til each hair had a chunk of soap clinging. I then hit it with the hot wet brush and scrubbed up a great lather...Looked like I was auditioning for Macy's Santa...Then I took my first couple strokes with the E2 and noticed it was leaving BBS in it's wake, and was feeling absolutely irritation free. I was getting the best shaving experience, I have yet, with this razor.

Note to self: I notice more than my other injectors...The angle of this E2 needs to be just like my SEs. The head needs to be flat against my face. The head is so narrow, it's not as noticable as a GEM or ER, but it's important, for a smoother, softer shave.

The 2nd pass was really a touch up pass...ATG and I practiced buffing...Actually, I had a ball...This E2 was a buffing monster like my I2..I don't know what happened. Maybe it's this 30 Day Focus thing, but one week into it and my bonding with the E2 has popped up a couple notches...Todays shave was also one of those "Best Shaves Ever" kind of shaves...

Comparisons so far....
1. I2, mild, very user friendly...3 pass and touch-up Very close to BBS
2. E2, very efficent, similar to ER 1924...2 pass BBS...close like with a str8...Too soon to tell but...this may be the easiest closest shave I have ever gotten with an Injector....

This is actually getting very surprising....and this is just one week in...can't wait to see how the rest of this Focus unfolds.
Gentlemen, Start Your Lathers and Great Shaves for Everyone !!!

 

I think adjustables are especially great for getting technique together....When I had my Slim, I used to practice at each setting til I was getting great shaves..I wasn't counting passes, just working on getting a great shave...I started at #3, and as I mastered each setting I went up one number. Finally I thought #9 was the Cat's Meow, Buuuttt...I got bored so I started moving back down. Turned out, nos. #2 and #1 were incredible technique builders. I learned soo much...After that, I could get a pretty good shave with anything...Then I was ready for the early Super Speeds...

So I guess the whole point of this discourse, is that I think Adjustables are GREAT for learning, and the Super Speeds are better for more experienced shavers...YMMV....at least it seemed that way to me...

 

+1 on that!

I did the same. Now I have kids getting to the age, so I can more easily call it relevant.

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 20:

Homemade PS Oil
Pacific Shaving Co Caffeinated SC
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Fine Fresh Vetiver

What a great shave this morning. At one point, I had to double check that a blade was in the razor. Nice, smooth, and comfortable. The Pacific Shaving cream was nice and slick, but maybe a bit thin this morning. The Fine Fresh Vetiver leaves me feeling good and smelling great.

As an added bonus, this is my 1000th post. I don't think I have ever hit that mark on any other forum. Thank you all for making this a great place to be. These focus threads in particular really feel like my little home on the forum. Thanks again!