OCT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I am glad you had a successful experience with the Phoenix. IMHO, it is a great razor, and I find it shaves just as you describe: mild and efficient. I hope you continue to enjoy it.

 

I've never had such a non irritating shave.

 

October - Trick or TREET
October 21

Razor - Gillette Post War (46-50) Fat Handle Tech
Blade - (3)
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - TSD Lanolin Bay Rum
Post - Cold Water, Alum, Nivea

This has been a very long day. Woke up, got my shave on, headed out to the office as it's the first day of the sales month, got my leads list for the month and spent the next 8 hours beating the streets. Knocked off early to attend a lecture that SWMBO had gotten tickets to in her field (Marriage and Family Therapy) and really enjoyed it. Then, finally home to a very late dinner and a chance to post and catch up. Now, of all the things that happened today there was only one real downer. No, it wasn't work or beating the streets. Actually got the sales rolling. It was the third and final shave with the New Double Edge Treet. I actually woke up ready to finish with a nice shave and move on to the next blade tomorrow but, alas, it was not to be. The blade was dead. As in pulling, tugging, rough, irritating, all around bad. Amazing loss of sharpness after yesterday's shave. Even in the mild FH Tech it was a horror. I nearly bailed after the first pass to my Russian rescue but decided to stay the course. Did a full three pass and ended with a 4th pass on my neck and still only got a near DFS. Or very high CCS, whichever you prefer. Either way it was enough to make it through the day but quite disappointing.

The TSD lather was awesome as usual so at least I got to enjoy all that Bay Rum goodness. By the end of the shave though I considered licking the soap to see if it had any real Rum in it to at least make the shave seem better. However, I decided against it in case it might be habit forming. While the blade gave me two really good days its utter failure on the third day makes me call this one a TRICK! A carbon blade dying after two shaves? That I could forgive. A stainless named after a carbon? Not in this cartel thank you.

 

Any reccomendations for a good woodsy scent soap. I haven't gotten to where I fully understand what all these essential oils, and different fragrance names smell like. Looking for something with a pine, or other wood type smell, maybe some mossy and kinda that earth smell. I hope I'm describing this well enough. I'm looking for something that'll take me back to my childhood when I use it.

 

Thank you for being willing. I will probably post a WTB this weekend for it. Definitely a good idea. In the meantime I will keep looking and trying to find a razor she likes out in the wild.

 

Stirling Ozark Mountain comes to mind. And their Coniferous scent as well. Great performance too.

 

I will give a +1 to the suggestions by @cmorris357. Love the coniferous scent. Very woodsy I have heard great things about Ozark and it is on my to try list. I am willing to bet TSD has something in the scent descriptions that will catch your eye too.

 

That's why I don't have a 400...

 

Wow! Impressive.

 

Life's too short for stainless imitations of carbon classics!

 

@wmbjr

I read your daily post about the aggressive Cadet head, and how the angle sweet spot is smaller. You have noticed a key point in razor design, and why many, myself included, reccomend mild razors for learning. The shallow curves on the top cap of a mild razor mean that the blade angle changes more gradually as the handle is raised, versus an aggressive, more highly curved cap like on Cadet. The sharper curve does in fact mean smaller sweet spot, in terms of handle orientation. Mild razors don't punish newbies as much if the fail to maintain a consistent angle. Aggressive demands focus and attention, and rewards those who get it right! It is this curve, the blade gap, and the exposure of the blade that determine aggressiveness. OC looks scary, but it's just window dressing! Spending two months(ish) on a mild L6 left you with three things...an understanding of blade angle, a shaving routine, and a base skill set. You have played this out perfectly! I am so happy to see your glowing reports. Those reports are really about the shaver, and not the tool, and it's obvious you've got this down pat in a short time.

 

Google Feather Popular TTO

Same firm as blade maker, it's basically a black, modern, long-handled super speed. You should find it for $20 or less new (in storage case). IMHO, an ideal razor for the gals to start with, and also a good value.

 

The handles can be completely insane. With a little shopping you can get them around the $80 mark which is in line with what a custom handle costs. However, then the real work begins with sanding and polishing.

I would take a long look at http://crownkingshaving.com/collect...uave-synthetic-shave-brush-introductory-price

It is a modern replica for $50 which is a very good price when you consider you get 2 different heads with knots. @RaZorBurn123 has been using his recently. Take a look at his photos.

 

I think @cmorris357 makes some good suggestions, but I will also add Stirling Scots Pine. It is a little different from their other soaps as it is made with sheep tallow in lieu of beef tallow.

 

10/23/15

Gillette NEW LC
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #1 with the Rapira Super Stainless in my New LC.
Face lather and 2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Great reduction. Pass 2: ATG. A very nice DFS at this point. A cold water rinse followed by some minor touch up and I caught the baby. Aqua Velva screamed today, but quieted down in a few seconds.

A very nice BBS from the Rapira Super Stainless in my New LC. Once again, I went over parts of my neck a bit more than my skin liked until it seemed I was on the edge of irritation, then I stopped. The Aqua Velva confirmed that I'd been a little too aggressive, but fortunately, no lasting discomfort today. In fact, my face feels great!

Have a great Friday!

 

10/23/2015
Razor – Wolfman OC with Triad Helix SS
Blade – Feather (2)
Brush – Olivewood with TGN Finest Fan
Lather – B&M Latha
Post - Witch Hazel & Myrsol F/Extra



A great 2 pass with touch ups work day shave this morning. It's not a BBS but it's about as close as I get most mornings. Nearing the end of the B&M Latha and honestly I am ready for it to be gone. While the soap performs very well, I am not a fan of the bubble gum scent at all. Finished with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra. Happy Friday everyone.

 

30 day focus - Day 23
Fat Boy set to 9
Ladas Blade
MDC Face Lathered with TOBS Rose and TOBS Lavender
3 passes

I woke up this morning wanting to change to a different soap because I get bored easily and I have been using MDC for the last 22 days. Instead of switching soaps, I added some TOBS Rose and TOBS Lavender for a wonderfully flowered scent. 3 passes and very smooth.