No Variation November - A TSD Challenge

November 6, 8

Razor – !974 Gillette SS
Blade – GSB
Brush – AOS Badger
Soap – Gada Cool Mint shave cream
Post - Cold water splash, Witch Hazel and Aqua Velva Ice Blue


Over the weekend, my Gillette 1958 Executive came back from Razor Emporium. It was stuck and nothing I could do would get the adjustment unstuck. They did a great job with the tune up service. The razor came back looking beautiful and the adjustment works flawlessly! The other thing that arrived just before I left for the weekend was my Stirling order which included several new soaps and a new brush, the 26mm Kong! I am so looking forward to using that brush in the future. Holding out on the No Variation NOVember is becoming really difficult!

So had two more shaves with the setup above. They both went well. I think I have finally figured out the AOS fine badger. I can produce a good quality lather and have a pleasant experience with the brush. I am definitely partial to a brush with a little more backbone to it, though I do really like its softness.

On Friday the shave went pretty well. Most of the face and neck was smooth and irritation free! I again had some difficulty with the chin, notably the transition from the top of the chin to the underside of the chin. A little irritation, but main problem was I left it less smooth than I would like. That shave was a DFS- because of the chin.

On the 8th I really paid attention to stretching around the chin. I am certain I have the blade angle figured out. So, I had to do something to adjust the shave on the chin. I really contorted my face and pulled down on my neck with my fingers so that the chin itself was as tight as possible. I usually don't have to stretch quite to this extreme with the other razors I have used. The facial contortions are usually sufficient. Well, for this razor, the contortions and the pulling are what is necessary. The chin ended up super smooth with almost no irritation. Today was a solid DFS. Tomorrow I am really hoping for a great shave now that I am not going to be trying different pulling and stretching and since I seem to have figured out the SS's angle requirements.

 

I need a ruling. My TOBS Grapefruit cream is not going to last the month. If I choose a second soap/cream and switch off, I can make the month. Would that get me unceremoniously dumped from this thread?

 

Bribery would get you my vote to stay on the Island.....

 

Maybe I could send you some of mine. How much you got left?

 

November 9

Feather Artist Club SS
Feather Professional (2)
Semogue 830
MdC scented
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, CC Bay Rum (tonight), and Fine L'Orange Noir (tomorrow morning)

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 broke my two-night "no boo boo" streak with a couple of tiny weepers. Otherwise, I completed my normal WTG and XTG/ATG passes, resulting in a DFS+ shave with an A- on irritation. All things considered, it was a very good shave. I'm getting more confident each day (without losing respect for this razor), and I hope to transition to morning shaves later this week. I finished with CC Bay Rum tonight. For some variety, I'll splash on some Fine L'Orange tomorrow.

Stay smooth!

 

Looks kind of slim for the rest of the month, doesn't it?

 

It looks like you may make it. Is that the bottom peaking through? My TOBS grapefruit is the creamiest of all my TOBSs. I would gladly send you some if you think you will run out. Just PM me your address and I will get you some out.

 

Thanks for the offer.
Yes, the bottom is just peaking through. I'm going to go for it. What's the worse that could happen? I'll be so good with the AC by the end of the month that a couple of dry shaves with a Feather Professional blade will just cause a little discomfort. Correct?

 

Day 9 - 9 November 2015

No Variation November!



Utopia 3-piece
Gillette Silver Blue (9)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Proraso Red
Alum
TSD ISZ AS under the Veg

Have a terrific Tuesday!
​

 

Dump you?!!
I'd actually give you an award for completely finishing off a product.
Rare occurrence around these parts as far as I can tell!

 

I change my mind on the storm trooper. I think now, Darth Maul.

 

Looks like I'm really playing "Behind the Beat" on this one....I just really put together what this month is about...I new Rufus was on a 30 Day Mongoose Training Schedule...But I was thinking that was Focus oriented....
I've been really busy and just popping in for a little 'Binge Posting'...So please forgive me for starting on Day 8.....If you want I can go 8 days into next month...

So I'll stick with yesterdays set-up:
Arko Stick
Omega 10029 Baby-Pro
1932 Schick Simplified Automatic Razor (C3)
Kroger Witch Hazel
Clubman AS

 

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Tuesday's ​

Dove Men Face Wash
Tabac Shaving Soap
Jayaruh #27 Silver Tip
Gillette Super Adjustable (8)
Astra Super Platinum
CWR, Asma Alum Block
Thayers Lemon WH
Aqua Velva AS​

The Tabac Shaving Soap face-lathered well with my Jayaruh #27 Silver Tip brush. Two passes with my Gillette Super Adjustable razor on 8 and an Astra Super Platinum blade gave me a close, comfortable shave. After a cold water rinse, alum block, and a final cold water rinse, I finished off with Thayers Lemon WH and then Aqua Velva after shave. I am clean, smooth, and refreshed...

Tenth shave of No Variation NoVember. One-third of the way through. So far, so good...
​

 

I started a thread c/w a poll for completed products........you ever host a party and no one shows up, so you drink yourself into stupor while feeling sorry for yourself (insert pic of hodge here).

 

Day 10 November

Yesterdays setup with a frosted PSO and Aqua Velva aftershave was so good I stayed with again today. I did manage to take a new photo, which is the only variation today.

If the mailman doesn't deliver my Schick injector blades pretty soon, I might be in the same pickle as MrChick. I do have some Army surplus blades that I could call into duty but its as pleasant a thought as MrChick dry shaving......

 

I'm actually on day 18 of the No variation. Let me tell you, the Vie-Long horsehair brush is just outstanding with this many consecutive uses. 2 or 3 minutes of soak time and it is making up a slick shiny lather with a soap that I've somewhat struggled with. The brush is barely scritchy at all. I don't worry about the brush not drying because our 5-10% relative humidity this time of year takes care of any residual moisture. With this many days in a row, I'm almost to a point where I think a 1 pass shave is doable, but I prefer 2 so that I am feeling slick.

I've also committed to this combo for my weekly (or more often) head shaving. The Weber is my best razor of all. I am so glad that grabbed a second one last year. My 21 year old son took over my first one.

 

I remember that. Here it is: http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/have-you-finished-anything-lately.47565/

 

I am progressing to the point that each day is fairly consistent. I am making two passes and getting DFS results. I did get a reminder today that you don't rush this razor. I got a weeper on my right cheekbone that needed the styptic pencil. I'm still not ready to chase BBS yet.

Day 10 SOTD
TOBS Grapefruit
Rubberset 400
Feather AC SS
Feather Professional (3)
Old Spice AS
Have fun!

 

I remember the thread because (as usual) I'm such a newbie I haven't finished anything other than samples or a tuck of blades.

See! I'm not the only one Hodge! And Jim actually resurrected it today!

See Hodge you are loved, people like you, they really like you!