NOV 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Just in case anyone is wondering, if you are able to pull off Mandom aftershave, being a Japanese product, you will be good. Add a Russian blade and you are covered from both groups.

 

I didn't post my shave from yesterday. same setup, super speed, GSB day 3, WD synthetic, proraso white.

I decided to play with my shave a bit by skipping WTG and doing to passes from ears to nose and then from nose to ears with a downwards neck shave the first pass and an upwards 2nd pass. I then did some ATG clean up around the mouth and chin and a gillette slide on the neck as a Half pass. It worked really well for me. a solid DFS+ with no irritation. the clubman went on like water without speaking to me at all. I havent shaved yet today and I intend to repeat last nights shave. Against my standard shaving practices I'm going to keep the same blade as long as it works instead of changing every 3 shaves.

 

Did I just read that right.....you prefer Chinese to Japanese and Russian?!?!!?! Which Chinese blade or blades? Inquiring minds (and haters of Chinese unsharpened steel) want to know!

 

I've only ever used 2 aftershaves. I may need to try some more.

 

Brain flatulence on my part. Kai blades are Japanese but today my mind said Chinese. They are my favorite blades. I guess I'm in good with both cartels.

 

Whew that was a close one! I wasn't sure whether to send the boys over to beat some sense into you or a psychiatrist to discover the source of your brain malfuntion! I prefer Kai to Feather as well so I get where you're coming from. The "little brother" of the Japanese blades definitely outperforms his more famous big brother in my den!

 

NOVember - No Variation

November 6

Razor -
Blade - (6)
Brush -
Soap -
Post - Cold Water, Alum, Aloe

Day 6 of the month and the shaves. I'm thinking one more day on the blade then change out. It's not performing any worse that I can tell, just don't think I want to push my luck with this one. Probably not the right time to do a longevity trial.

BoSFat was perfect again so it's all up to the razor. After all, what I do has nothing to do with the result, right? The blade decides how to shave. Boy wouldn't that be nice. After yesterday, though, I feel pretty confident that things are headed the right direction. However, now would be the time to regress and have an ER visit. So, vigilance! First pass on the right side is getting to feel automatic. Set the angle and actually increased it a bit as I moved through the right side. Decided to switch to left hand for the pass on that side. With a beast of a Soviet straight on the slow boat from the Ukraine I should probably work that hand a bit more. It actually went well and the first pass wasn't bad at all.

Second pass started really well too with XTG on the right, then the left, then the right neck, then the left. Checked things and needed some clean up under my ear on the jawline on the right. Went for it, tipped the blade up on its tip and took a nice slice down. Yep, that smarts, but it isn't smart. Looks like about a half inch cut but it didn't bleed much once I got some pressure on it. Finished up, cold water and alum closed it up. That's the second cut in that area this week so I'll be paying more attention there. It may have been right over the first cut as well. It's very close to that.

Calling the finish a near DFS. Might even be a DFS if not for the cut. Not going to to complain at all. Much improvement in six days, so with 24 to go I should finish with great command of this thing.

 

It feels just as sharp but so much more smooth. great blade. I would love trying the painstick or even a russian straight but my wallet is disabled lately.

 

I think the same thing about the Kai. Even the Feather AC are harsher than the Kais, in my opinion. I'm sticking with the Feather Pro mainly because I want to finally see what it really has to offer and I had 19 of them to start from when I got the CJB from @Keithmax . Know that disabled wallet feeling. Hope it gets some therapy soon!

 

That's awesome!

 

soap: Parker Sandalwood and Shea
Razor: Gillette open comb
Blade: Dorco Astra Sharp

Switched blade brands because the Dorco felt rough. The Sharp does not hurt.

Yesterday everything arrived at once from eBay and TSD marketplace: 4 razors, 3 types of blades, 1 shave cream, 1 pre shave cream, and a beautiful scuttle.
Tomorrow I will break the no-change rule or I will burst.

 

Excellent three pass awesomely close shave today. Barbershop scents remind me of trips to get haircuts with my Dad. I’d have to get rid of the Bubble Gum before I got home. MW lather was not as thick as I prefer, but the lubrication and skin care are wonderful. Finished with mentholated witch hazel and Shea Butter followed by a nice splash of Sterling Barbershop Aftershave. Have a good weekend everyone. Stay frosty my friends.

 

MW is tricky to lather for sure. I have to load it like I hate it in order to make it work. But the stuff is over the top slick and the skin care is great.

 

"load it like you hate it"....is someone quoting youtube shaving videos??

 

Not that I know of. Only watched a couple of videos when I first started shaving with a DE. I stole it stole it from Keith here on this thread. I do usually say "like it owes me money"

 

Chris,
From time to time I'm known to wash my face halfway through the day so I can apply a different aftershave. Why not I have enough for all of us
It's really hard for me to gauge a new razor minutes after the first use, now 8-9 hours after the shave the Grafco-Merkur 3-Piece Open Comb hits on all cylinders! Smooth as silk! Very easy to maneuver around your mustache /goatee. I'm not sure but the teeth seem to be shorter? Possibly making this OC a tad more aggressive than others.
Back to the aftershave, Gingers Garden Osmanthus this stuff makes my face feel so good.

 

Mark,
What plant is that on your Avi? I think it's a plant. Mom wouldn't allow you the bubble gum?

 

I do that too. Glad to know I am not the only one who changes AS during the day sometimes! I completely agree, the best time to evaluate a shave is hours afterward. So happy to hear the Grafco is treating you right!

 

Day 6 - No Variation November!

6 November 2015



Utopia 3-piece
Gillette Silver Blue (6)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Proraso Barbe Dure
Alum
TSD ISZ AS Splash under the Veg
​

I am settling into a nice routine with this razor. Day 6 on GSB and still going strong. Was able to get to two pass DFS with no issues, and am really enjoying the Proraso Sandalwood scent, very understated and classic. Per @Rufus T. , I veg been evaluating stroke pattern and have noticed that it is different than with an injector. This Utopia 89-type head is super mild, but don't be fooled. Given the right angle, it s a highly efficient shaver, without sacrificing any comfort at all. Just a lazy evening at home with Mrs. Samurai. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great weekend!
​

 

November 6

Feather Artist Club SS
Feather Professional (6)
Semogue 830
MdC scented
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Fine Platinum

Goals
Further develop my two-pass shave technique by practicing the basics
Break in and get more experience with the Semogue 830
Get more experience with MdC

I think this blade will last a full week. I completed WTG and ATG passes with no problems, other than one small nick near my ear (a giveaway). A DFS+ shave and an A- on irritation. My challenge continues to be the areas above and below my mouth. I tried some careful ATG and oblique strokes in these areas, but I still have some things to learn here.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!