No Variation November - A TSD Challenge

Great setup Chris! I look forward to watching your journey and comparing notes on our parallel paths!

HB in advance of the 17th!

 

Okay - the decision has been made This will be my setup for November:



- I decided against the new Phoenix and in favor of my Mühle R89. I believe I did not give him enough credit yet, since this was my very first safety razor and I thought it didn't provide me with the closest shave possible. But I guess it was just my lack of proper technique - and that is what I'm going to improve over the next few weeks.

- Blades will be Gillette Silver Blue, because they're great performers in every razor I own.

- Brush: Semogue 620. It's pretty new, not broken in completely, and I hope I learn to master it over the course of November.

- Soap: D.R. Harris Sandalwood. Great soap with a nice scent that's not too overwhelming. Something I can use every day

 

Wish I could join in, I just don't have a soap I would be happy with. I do plan on focusing all month with the same razor, brush, and blade though. My initial thoughts for the month was a PIF focus after receiving one from @wristwatchb , I plan on going through the settings on the Slim
Charlie sent me all month and seeing where I stand as far as aggressiveness goes. But I'm thinking since I love the Phoenix I might be a mild razor guy.

 

That might change. As I got more experience, I grew to like aggressive razors. These Focus months have helped me immensely.

 

So true. I remember when 4 on a Slim seemed aggressive but now I actually prefer it on 9.

 

I'm going to do this. I have been wet shaving 14 months. Started with an MTO and started collecting. My favorites are Gillette's the Sheraton, Slim, and Fatboy. I just received some new gear a Merkur Progress, and a Sterling synthetic brush, and after shave. My setup will be:

Sterling Synthetic 26mm
Razo Rock XXX soap
Voskhod or Persona Lab Blue blade
Merkur Progress
Alum
Sterling Lemon Chill witch hazel, Sterling Sharp Dressed Man AV

I have a few shaves with the Progress and have not settled on a blade will start with Voskhod and see how it goes.

 

Here's the set up for November. Really looking forward to getting to know the Progress and working on my technique as I am struggling with consistency. It's going to be fun.

 

I'm im...my Phoenix DOC just came in today. I'll be using it with the Astra SP...soap commander vision and omega 10066 boar. Really looking forward to working on my technique.

 

My Executive had to be sent into Razor Emporium because it just would not get unstuck. Soooo I will be spending the month with my 74 SS birth quarter razor. My blade will be the GSB. I will be using an AOS badger brush to give it a solid chance. Soap will be Stirling MITA. I do have to put an asterisk on here. The first week i will have the Nationwide Box Tour Box. So my No variation November will actually begin in a week. Not exactly no variation but exigent circumstances should excuse the violation. Maybe?? Will post a picture later tonight.

 

Here is my shave kit starting tomorrow:


Tabac shaving soap. How hard is that going to be using Tabac for a month?
WD Synthetic brush, 24 x 55 knot
Gillette Pre-War Tech
Personna Lab Blue blades

Start with Halston Z-14 AS. This is my typical Sunday AS.

Dave

 

No Variation November



Utopia Three Piece
Gillette Silver Blue
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Proraso Barbe Dure

Welcome All to No Variation November! Good luck!


​

 

Here is another shot of my setup for the month. This is going to be tough as I have 3 new to me razors I have yet to try. That being said they are all SE or injectors. So spending a solid month on SE's shall hopefully get me off on the right foot.
I am pretty excited so I think I will change my routine tomorrow and have a morning shave. The only thing to decide this month is what AS to use.

Tools
Razor ER 1912
Blade GEM SS
Cream AOS Sandalwood
Brush my 3D printed w/ WD 24mm synthetic
AS what ever I feel like that day

 

It's November 1 in Denver!

GAME ON!

No Variation November

This is one brush, one brand of blades, one razor, one soap. All Month. No Variation.

Who will finish the challenge?

Good luck to everyone!

 

Planned Day One

 

This was tempting, and since I have already shave this morning without knowing about this thread I guess I have already decided on the kit.

Mdc Fougere
Gillette Bell Tech
Polsilver Super Iridium Blade
Frank Shaving Finest Badger
Witch Hazel
and Dr. Harris' Marlborough Cologne

I might have to make an exception on the 27th. It's the start of my 40th year on this existence and I may decide to do something "special".

 

Good luck to everyone!!!

 

I had a theme week going through this AM, but I have a no-variation setup in mind for the rest of the month if I'm not too late for the party.

 

Oh my, what did I agree to do?
Here is my November rig.

I had only used my Feather AC SS five times before today and am definitely a rookie with it. I put a fresh Feather Pro blade in it and lathered up with TOBS Grapefruit cream. I got a two pass DFS but had several weepers. I actually had to dig out the styptic pencil, which hadn't been used for months. This is going to be an interesting month

 

You should be an expert with that thing by the time December gets here.
or

 

How did you get the picture of today?