DEC 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Got a real pity party here going on tonight. I'm sure a little splash of Osage Rub would put some spring back in your knickers.

 

That made me cringe.

 

What is wrong with you?

A scratch is required to get the irritant below the skin so you can really experience the full menthol sensation.

 

Definitely one lesson I plan to remember!

I only have the executive so it will be only one adjustable for me. Some day I will pick up a slim to try the different handle. I don't plan to be in a hurry. I plan to progress with both on four then moving ATG up to five for a couple shaves then both on five etc. Moving the ATG pass higher first.

I was not sure which way made more sense. The thought that moving the WTG/XTG up higher because it could tolerate more aggression without irritation made sense. But Chris's thoughts back in August when you started with the adjustable that moving ATG up higher to reduce the desire to use pressure to compensate also makes sense.

Maybe I will try the various combinations. Start with both at four and then move ATG higher (4,5) then reverse and do WTG/XTG pass higher (5,4) at each level to see what works as I move up. Hmmmm. Decisions.

 

Exactly!

I trust @Bama Samurai 's thought and guidance regarding the prospect of using different settings for different passes.

I'm only saying that when I do another focus on one of them, I will experiment using the opposite approach - High setting for WTG, low setting for ATG. In fact I may just do that for half the shaves and then reverse it for the other half of the focus.

In the meantime, I will grab some popcorn and watch you slide right through your trial!
and certainly learn something from it!

RT

 

Daddy's little deduction.

 

I did that years ago and learned a lot. And it was a lot of fun. You should give it a go.

 

My wife would be very unhappy if my gear was all spread out. I keep a brush and my 2 razor stand on the counter. Everything else is out of sight. I have a small drawer for my razors and blades and keep some soaps in the cabinet under the sink. I have more soap samples in a plastic bag in my office. My wife hates clutter, but my office already suffers from it. The goal is to not allow it to spread.

 

He's 90 and still reminds me of it!

I tell him that it ran out about 40-some years ago...I think he still takes the deduction and argues with the IRS that I'm still costing him money!

and send lawyers, guns and money!

 

One day into the month and we're already dragging out Zevon. Excitable Boy, great album. I love the verse from "Werewolves of London"

He's the hairy handed gent, who ran amok in Kent
Lately he's been overheard in Mayfair
You better stay away from him
He'll rip your lungs out Jim
Huh, I'd like to meet his tailor.

 

My son was born on Jan 2 a few years ago. I was pulling for a December birth just for the tax right off. My wife finally got mad and told me to shut up about the taxes.

 

That razor has a habit of doing that. Plays nice until you let your guard down then gets you as soon as your mind wanders a millimeter. Great start though, three down and still running great!

 

Planned Day 2 - Schick ABC Repeater focus


For day 2 of the focus I will be using a Schick type C1 open comb repeater.

 

12/2/15

Gillette New LC
Rapira Super Stainless (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original

Shave #2 with the 2nd Rapira Super Stainless in the New LC.
Today is my second day with Mitchell's Wool Fat. I used a little less water on the top of the soap today, about a tablespoon instead of a teaspoon. That's about what ended up in the scuttle after I dumped the soap container bloom water. I spent less time swirling the brush in the soap (10 seconds vs. yesterday's 20). Just like yesterday the lather was initially full of air bubbles, but after working it awhile, the lather began to look pretty good. I did not add any water today other than the soap bloom water. I checked and the lather felt pretty slick. Perhaps not as much as yesterday, but still very nice.

It went on my face nice and smooth but perhaps not as thick as yesterday. 2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Very good reduction. Pass 2: ATG. Afterwards, I noticed that the soap had begun to dissipate on my face, but what remained was adequate for the small amount of touch up where I could feel stubble. I did a cold water rinse and added lather as needed for my final touch up. The lather was thin, but up to the task. After finishing, there was only enough left in the brush for a small amount of touch up. The Pinaud Clubman was not as mild as yesterday, but did not sting very much.

Another nice BBS from the Rapira Super Stainless in the New LC. The Wool Fat was nice, but not as thick and luxurious as yesterday. I used more water and less product today and that is likely the reason. While 10 seconds in the soap is all the product I need for my normal shave, 20 seconds produced longer lasting slicker lather. Tomorrow I'll go back up to 20 seconds and use less water to bloom the soap.

Have a great Wednesday!

 

12/02/2015
Razor – Gillette Super Speed (J4)
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – Mystic Water Orange Vanilla Shave Stick
Post - Witch Hazel & Fine L’Orange



I had planned to spend the rest of the week with the Schick G Type but I decided to move onto my birth year/quarter Super Speed. I will revisit the G Type later with a different blade.

This was my first vintage razor after starting with a Merkur 34hd. The SS is a mild razor and pairs well with the Feather blade. I went with my normal 3 pass shave. I did have to touch up more than usual but I expected that with a mild razor. I did end up with a near BBS but got a few weepers along the way due to operator error. Finished off with a splash of Fine L'Orange. Hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

Pain Stick Focus:

Homemade PS Oil
Frank Shaving Pur-Tech Brush
Stirling Bay Rum SS
CJB Pain Stick
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Bay Rum AS

Day 4 with the Pain Stick. After yesterday's cut, which was bad enough to earn a comment from my wife last night, I definitely paid close attention to what I was doing this morning. I did more or less pass over the cut, and kept it to a strict two pass. I am able to get things pretty close on my face, but my neck and jaw line definitely need some clean up at my current skill level. I would rate this shave somewhere between SAS and CCS. I think I need to stretch my skin a bit more to get better on two passes. That will be a goal for me tomorrow.

 

My father in law still refers to my wife as his little tax deduction. Her birthday is Dec 31. Trying to take her out for dinner on her birthday takes some advance planning.

 

90 years old. He may be right about you still costing him money.

 

I'll see you plan ahead and gave her a good birthday, as you are thinking about it now.

Always remember the 5 P's. Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

 

Excellent picture.