August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 25:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Gillette Ball End Tech
Stirling Unscented PSB
Brut Classic

Last shave with my Ball End Tech, and it was just a great way to wrap up this part of my comparison. I had not used this razor in so long, I have realized how much I under appreciate this razor. I will definitely include it more in my rotation in the future. Of course, with SEptember coming up and my new Injector, it will have to wait for a while.

I also got the Wool Fat dialed in today. The lather was just to my liking. I am not sure if it is just in my head, but I do feel like the post shave feel is improved with this soap as well. Have a great Wednesday!

 

08/26/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set on 9
Blade – Feather (2)
Brush – Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel & Fine Platinum



After a day off from shaving, I have a very good near BBS 3 pass shave this morning. It's been awhile since I have used this brush and had forgotten how much backbone it truly has. Finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum.

 

8/26/15 SOTD (Shave 14 of this Focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Wade & Butcher 5/8 (pre 1890) with Worm Eaten Scales
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel/ Linen (20 linen 50 Leather Pre, 15/15 post)
Soap: Barrister & Mann Fireside (Brandy scented)
Brush: Omega 1066 Boar
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Mandom

So only one more shave in this focus, and I am reserving that for a new acquisition. A big part of my focus this month has been on honing and using the razors I have. For today’s shave, I attempted to improve the edge of an already shave ready razor I used on Monday. Mission accomplished! I did some work on a fine Welsh Slate with slurry, and a Translucent Arkansas Hone, and polished this razor up. Today it was much smoother, and required less pressure. I did a N/S pass, a S/N pass, and touch up on my neck, chin, and jawline. Shave was a very solid DFS plus. No irritation or cuts, even on the whiskers that are usually an issue right under my chin.
This is my first shave in a while with no menthol. Soap gave an awesome lather, but it seems weird to smell like brandy at 5 in the morning, even if it doesn’t last. Mandom is a great aftershave, smells good and is subtle throughout the day.

 

Thanks. That makes sense. I was was curious about straight edge shavers with the extra gear required.

After taking the kitchen sink with me when I first started wetshaving I've cut back substantially. Although I still take an extra small kit bag with me because my other kit bag is generally full of other toiletries. I do frequent one or two day car trips for work so I tend to keep a bag packed all the time with my Tech, Arko stick, travel brush, blades, small vial of A/S and alum.

 

SOTD
August 26, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Mongoose B3 Dr. Bomber Handle
Blade: Feather Professional
Brush: Stirling Synthetic
Lather: Klar Kabinett
Post: Alum. Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Royall Spice
Klar. Oh Klar how I love thee. Klar Kabinett is without doubt one of my favorite soaps, the beautiful light rose scent is wonderful in the morning. I received this sample of Royall Spice from a member over at Shave the Man, I really like it! I'll be buying a full bottle. This was my 7th shave with my Mongoose and I've had 7 excellent shaves.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

 

Today was time for a mild razor using a Feather blade. I chose a Schick Krona and had a much better experience than the last three days with my Double Ring. I got a very nice three pass BBS with no irritation on day one with a Feather. There is one variable in that I Palm stropped this blade first. I am so glad I joined a focus as I am learning a lot. I used to use the shotgun approach of a different razor or blade on any given day and was learning nothing. This month has been all Feather three days at a time in each razor. I will give my final opinion on this blade at the end of the month.

SOTD
Schick Krona
Feather (1)
Arko stick
AOS AS Balm
WSP Beard Oil

Have a fun day!

 

Congrats! Most impressive!

Just curious what you mean by modified XTG?

Thanks again for the encouragement. Have another good report today, but hoping when I get home I can actually get a picture to go with it.

 

Thanks!

Contoured to the map and in places it approaches ATG.

 

Shave 11
26/08
Pre: none
Soap: Tabac / Palmolive stick
Brush: Vie Long Custom
Razor: Kai Excelia non folding
Blade: Feather Pro (1)
AS: Old Spice Musk

Didn't get a chance to shave yesterday, so had to tackle 3 days growth.
Decided to mix the Tabac and the Palmolive today. Made a nice thick lather.
After a few hit and miss (mostly miss) shaves with the Kai, I swapped it for a Feather Pro.
Result was a great shave. No nicks or irritation.

Maybe the Kai don't suit me in the erm... Kai. I don't have a problem with them in the Mongoose.

I'll see how I get on with the Feather in the next shave.

 

Razor: Gillette Slim (1965)(7)
Blade: Gillette Platinum (3)
Brush: Fendrihen Silver Tip Badger Faux Horn Handle 22/49
Soap: Arko Shave Stick
A/S: Old Spice Binocular Decanter Product ID #3229: 1973.
Day 26
Outstanding shave tonight (DFS)(3 passes). Very good lather with the Arko Stick, and who doesn't love an Old Spice finish. All around an excellent combination of products.

 

Very clean photo of impressive shaving products.

 

Great setup @Drygulch. I like your photo also.
My wife bought me a 1066 this summer and I got to like it much.

 

Welcome home. good to hear the trip wen well. Can't wait to see some pictures and all the DE shaving stuff you purchased.

 

August 27 Shave 17

New Razor in the house! This arrived yesterday after a long wait, I ordered it in late March. I prefer the feeling of kamisori handles but prefer a thick western grind. Since I am still learning I am thrilled it has a round point and rounded heel.

To the shave, Everything I expected of it, no cuts or nicks, nimble despite a large heavy blade, very easy to adjust the angle of the blade and it felt very smooth. Three passes and no blood and I did not feel any irritation. I was tempted to go for a fourth pass but I am trying to stick with my focus for the month so I finished up with my Joris DE. After shave alum showed some light irritation and I was just short of a BBS.

My first impression is that I love this razor. I will do more comparisons to my other favs, Hart Steel 7/8 and Dovo Bismarck 2. This maybe the winner because without the scales it is more nimble and easier to control the angle.

Proraso Pre Shave
Tabac
Rooney butterscotch brush
NEW Portland Razor Company western grind Kamisori 6/8 1/4 hollow grind
No strop
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Speick AS
Muhle ASB
Creed Royal Mayfair

 

Nice looking razor. I'll be seeing how it works for you, as I have been interested in the Portland Razors as well.

 

First shave was fantastic... but I am still pretty new to straight razor shaving. It took forever to fill the order, I am not sure how quick they are if it is not a custom.

I think there razors are all 1/4 grinds, which I prefer. The workmanship seems outstanding. We will see how long it keeps the edge. It came honed and stropped from PRC and the edge was extremely sharp but smooth. I think the quality is the same level as the Hart Steel razor I own.

 

Thank you Douglas!!

 

I love the looks of a kamisori and this is a beautiful one. Someday.....

 

August Focus - Slim and Feather AC
August 26
Razor - 1964 Gillette Slim (J1)
Blade - (1)
Brush - Vie Long 12705
Soap - Proraso
Post - Cold water, Alum, Nivea Original Post Shave

Back to the slim today and will probably stay there the rest of the month. After discovering how easily I caused a weeper yesterday on the spot on my right cheek I've decided no more AC razor for the time being. For whatever reason I pretty much battered and abused that one spot all month with the Feather with nicks, little cuts and the one nice slice. Going to give it time to heal properly and toughen back up. After reviewing all of my 30 day activities I remembered that the best blade in my blade trials in February was the Super-Max Super Platinum. (I used blades other than Voskhod and the Rapira gang mostly in February) So, let's load one up and start at 5 on the Slim and see if it's as good as I said it was. I don't think I've used one since. Well, maybe one.

Grabbed the horse and Proraso green and got a very fast and effective brush load. I'm used to working MWF with it so the almost instant load and lathering of the Proraso was a bit of a shock. First pass was excellent. Smooth as silk, no issues. Second pass was XTG and when I finished it I realized I was done with a DFS. Yeah, I could have chased the baby with a third pass but why? I was already where I usually end and love it. Wow. Yep, this blade and of course the Slim on 5 were just perfectly dialed in. I have debated all day whether to just call it good for that blade but I am going to dial up to 9 tomorrow and see if that improves or destroys the shave. No stepping up to 7, just slam it open and find out. Maybe the grail shave? One pass DFS? We shall see!

Mail call today. I'll be in the haul a little later. Hope you all had a great Wednesday.