OCT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Interesting you say not to pull tight. I was about to say that I have a problem with the same general area. My only way to get it smooth is to look up slightly while using my off hand to pull down to get the area fairly tight and flattened out. Is there a reason not to pull it tight? Sorry to hijack @Joef I am still learning as well, so this was interesting to me.

 

Awesome! It took me several months to figure out what I wanted enough to get a kit together. When I switched to straight razor shaving I started stretching my skin, especially around the Adam's apple and jawline. I works pretty well with DE too. If you have alum, put some on your finger tips so they can grip well.

 

I am interested to hear as well. My experience with stretching the skin is that the skin is elastic, and will move on the really tough areas, like my chin and just under it. If I keep the skin from moving, the blade has a much better chance of cutting the hair flush, with much less irritation.

 

Well for me there were the same two things....except it was me being born, not my sister. The 1959 razors are birth year for me.

 

The area around the chin is exactly the other area I was thinking about with regard to pulling skin tightly. If I dont, I can get a good shave but I will end up with weepers about 50% of the time.

 

Alum is on the, getting pretty long list, of things to get. But I will give that a shot.

The only other thing I'm wanting to change is the razor itself. Not that it's a bad razor or doesn't shave well enough, it's just not too comfortable to hold. Also, the nob is starting to get lose already. Seems I have to keep closing it every few strokes. But there are soooooo many razors out there and good recommendations, I'm a little confused as to what to get.....plus the wallet is a little empty at the moment.
Who said this is cheaper than cart razors? Lol

 

All Personna blades have the same metallurgy, grind and bevel. Coating and oil (or lack of oil) is what determines which wrapper covers it.

 

If you just had a bad shave with the BoSFat, it's time to cut losses...

 

Welcome to the 30DC!

 

You may have a point there. I've been considering all day whether or not to give #3 a try. My natural curiosity and determination to prove the source of the problem is stubbornly refusing to lay down without a fight. I'm secretly hoping the blade rusts like a bad can overnight.

 

So we may have finally figured out where you draw the line on a blade . . . bad can rusted. Just get your tetanus updated and give it a go. Just kidding of course!! Neither Igor nor Ivan would not require you to do that level of experimentation.

 

I always keep my tetanus updated. You never know when a new third world blade is gonna become available!

 

Warning.......Thread Highjack in Progress!








Just a quick update for the night


We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread. That is all.

 

Also @Joef

Though I have never used a SR, I have learned much from the SR guys. Their methods of skin stretching and focus on blade angle and pressure basically fixed my shave issues (over time, with practice). The Alum that Adam (@Drygulch ) writes about is available from a pharmacy. It's usually cheap (US$5-$9), considering a block might last 18-36 months. Ask the pharmacist for a Potassium Alum deodorant block. Do not use aluminum based alum salts, they are not the same thing. Adam uses it for grip, a pure SR trick, but Alum has three other functions. It is an astrigent, meaning it has a drying and tightening effect on the skin surface. It's somewhat antibacterial. But the magic is function three. It provides instant, real, easily interpreted feedback about your skills. If it burns, it's because your technique is weak in those irritated areas. It will even reveal irritation that is not visible to cursory glances. If your face is smooth, and the Alum feels like a cold stone, it means you achieved and held near perfect technique on each pass. To use, rub the block over your wet face after shaving, allow to sit for thirty seconds or so, rinse and proceed with whatever you do after your shave. The crazy thing is though, even though alum burns like fire for a few seconds, it is extremely soothing with regular use, and I believe helps condition my skin to remain tight and smooth when used in conjunction with old school AS (think Skin Bracer or AV). If new converts are gonna chase the Baby, I personally recommend Alum as a technique gauge. (Ymmv, but I like it.)

On your MTO, make sure to ride the doors of the razor a bit as you shave. It's how those razor heads cut most efficiently. I did thirty days of MTO (because it's a good razor) and Williams (because @wristwatchb dared me, see also I'm nuts) and got near BBS pretty easily. No matter what razor you use, it's all about presenting a DE blade to the skin at the optimal angle and pressure, and building solid lather. This can be achieved with almost any razor. I realize the MTO is temporary, but why not go for the gold anyway?

Again, welcome. I really hope you have fun and enjoy things here. As you can see, ask away! It's why we are here.

Techniques trump tools.

 

Good idea!​

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You should probably prep it for a great shave--give it a dunk in some warm salty water, then don't shake off and leave in a puddle on the counter. Safety first, right?

Sorry about your counter in advance.

 

Now that's what I call a proper prep of a carbon blade. For the newbies......don't try this at home.

 

Why not?

 

In Soviet Russia, blades draw the line on you...