NOV 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

I shave very late in the day so in case I miss the day by a few hours my planned shave tonight will be Gillette Sterling, GSB, Semogue boar, Hydra soap. Probably going to try Nivia regular AS balm. There really aren't any more razors I want to try in the Box tour Box so I'll give my least loved DE a try with a good blade now that I've developed better technique. Looks like I'll be able to start my straight razor focus on time tomorrow if I can get some razors stropped well tonight and tomorrow. I don't have any hones finer then 6k so I'm just going to do my best on a duel sided pasted board one side is cro-ox and the other is iron-ox. after that I'll strop it until my arm falls off. both razors are rough shave ready one is better then the other.

 

Monday, November 30, 2015

Mongoose with TRIAD Helix Hex Ti
Feather Pro Super #7
Simpson M6 LE
Krampert’s Soap Frostbite
Alum, Witch Hazel + Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter
Krampert's Frostbite Aftershave

Had an excellent Monday shave, two quick passes with a new blade and I paid the reaper with a few weepers. End result wasn’t even near BBS but close. Closeness: A, Irritation: A-. Added Gold Bond Menthol Lotion for some extra cooling along with the Shea Butter and I’m good to go. Finished with Krampert’s Frostbite Aftershave, nice and cool with excellent skin care. Have a good work week everyone!

 

End of November

Everyday blade for the Mongoose is the Feather Pro
The Schick I-1 Injector worked the best with the Japanese Twin Injector II blades
All the brushes I used this month were suited for face lathering
All my SOTD photos were saved

Focus for December
· Save all SOTD photos
· Use badger, boar, and synthetic brushes
· Use SE and DE razors
· Use various SE and DE blades
· Use Straight Razors to even sideburns

Thanks to Chris for moderating the 30-Day Focus again this month. I improved my technique with the Black Mamba this month. I'm looking forward to more fun in December.

 

Another great photo. I don't recall you using this Simpson brush much. It sure looks good.

 

Thanks Clint! This one is not getting the attention she deserves.

 

oh - it's a she? how did you figure that out?

 

This is what makes the den different from the rest.

 

I understand how that goes. I am thinking of doing a "Brush A Week" (BAW) rotation next year. All in all, having several very nice brushes is a good problem to have.

 

I use an app on my phone and keep all my shaves with notes. Short and simple.

 

I like this.

 

Great pic. Shave. Mark you have awesome gear. Awesome.

 

November Wrap Up:

This month was like a squirrel with ADHD, and kind of all over the place. I used three different razors that all had different techniques. My DE choice was a Pre-War Fat Handled Tech. And I got a BBS every time I touched it. It’s a great razor. Second razor was a pain stick, CJB handle with KAI Original blade. I got a few low grade DFS shaves from this, but at the cost of irritation. I got a few cuts, but not really bad ones. The last razor I used was a straight I had purchased on the bay and honed from bevel set up to done. I was attempting an advanced shave method with this, a scything cut, which is similar to a Gillette slide, but with a straight. It gave me the worst cut I have ever had with a straight. I don’t shave every day, so I ended up using each of these razors five times in the month. Between the cuts I gave myself and changing razors, I really didn’t get to focus on anything, and didn’t see an improvement.

I also added three new soaps this month. The only area I did feel improvement was with the brush. My conclusion is that I may be looking to put this brush up for adoption. (I only keep brushes I love. I am down to four now.) I might have to track down another handle like this one, because I love the handle. Bought a new soap and aftershave from Jabonman in Spain. It’s awesome. Traded a pain stick for two Sterling soaps, and have used each once. Need to play with them some more to determine if they are going to stay in the rotation or not. That puts me up to 15 soaps, which means everyone gets used once per month. Now I just need to work out matching aftershaves for each of them.

Thank you to everyone for participating, especially @Bama Samurai for hosting the thread. My two main take aways from November are that if you don’t narrow down what you are trying to focus on, you won’t get improvement, and menthol doesn’t always feel nice.

 

Thank you Kerry.

 

SOTD
November 30,2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Gillette British Rocket
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: Stirling Bay Rum
Brush: Stirling Synthetic
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Layrite No. 9 Bay Rum
Really fun shave. I love this Bay Rum! Man is this soap moisturizing. The British Rocket got it done. I woke up to 17 Cyber Monday emails.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

 

Adam, what kind of knot is in the brush? If you like the handle, you could consider just getting a knot you prefer and replacing the one in the brush.

 

It is a TGN Gen 3 Synthetic. I put it in the handle last year, and did it with silicone, so I can change it if I need to. I need to see if I can find a synthetic knot of the Gen 4 variety. I also have another vintage handle ready for a badger knot to play with.

 

I usually use the same razor, blade, and brush for a week. I change soaps and A/S everyday. I think I will add the same soap and A/S to my weekly shave. I will still do Shave Den Sunday with TSD products.
With the new boar brushes I have on order I may use them for more than one week.
Any idea what the rule and/or focus will be for December? I missed November as I was busy with the calendar.

 

I put in a really nice Gen 4 synthetic in a Ever-Ready 100t for Mark @Boojum1. Maybe he can chime in on where he got his.

 

My 30 DC wrap up.
I discovered that if I only do one pass WTG my neck will not suffer from any irritation, I can do 2-3 passes ATG and achieve outstanding results. This has been a game changer for me.
I've enjoyed watching everyone try new things this month, especially the pain stick crew. Bravo!
Thank you Chris for your dedication to not only the 30 DC but also to the forum!

 

I am not sure if there will be a forum focus like OC October or No Variation November. Since my birthday is this month, I am going to use my vintage razors paying particular attention to my Birth Year / Quarter Super Speed and my Birth Year Slim.