DEC 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

A smart man doesn't mess with a women who is about to give birth. I understand were you are coming from though.

 

Thanks Doug.

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Cobra Classic
Feather Pro #1
@clint64 Rubberset 400 #3 Omega 1066 Boar
MDC Fougere
Alum, Witch Hazel +Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter
Fine Platinum

The Cobra Classic design fits my hand perfectly with the thumb and forefinger just under the head. It is perfectly balanced with a heavy handle under a light slim head. Holding it reminded me of the Schick Type I. The Cobra head is much lighter than the Mongoose and easier to maneuver. The Cobra handled like a well tuned sports car making the Mongoose feel more like a Hummer.
Today’s shave was an amazingly close, maybe my closest shave ever with a Feather Pro blade. Two passes with clean up and my face was BBS. No nicks, no cuts, and no weepers, even with a new blade. I treaded lightly with this razor. Closeness A+ and Irritation A. My face is tingling. Since this is my first shave with the Cobra I must reserve judgement comparing it to the Mongoose.

 

Well, no one ever accused me of being smart. Especially when it relates to women.

 

SOTD
December 2, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Gillette Aristocrat Junior #49
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: Italian Barber Rosa di Bossolasco
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Geoffrey Beene Grey Flannel
Super close shave. I could have use a different aftershave though..... Grey Flannel This IB soap is amazing!! Beautiful rose scent.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

 

Great photo Mark. When you get a chance, I would be interested in your comparison between the Cobra and the Mongoose.

 

Well, I never officially ruled it out, it's just that I was bothered it supposedly isn't as "popular" as the regular A.S. Good re-review, Kerry, thanks.

 

Your post made me get my Clubman Special Reserve out this morning. I like it as well.

 

I'm having trouble doing my SOTD this morning......maybe the library doesn't care how I shaved.

 

replying to my own post.....I think the problem was mine. I got it in.

 

ABC!!

 

(the immediate next sound after that line is best) BIP!

 

especially with all these razors Im buying!

not to mention TSD Calendars Douglas! I received mine. Great job!

 

December 2, 2015
This month I’m focusing on my two birth quarter razors.
Gillette Ball End Tech A4 - Week 1
Gillette SS Red Tip A4 - Week 2

Morning shave
Hot Shower
Soap: Saponificio Varesino Dolomiti
Brush: Stirling Kong Synthetic
Razor: Gillette Ball End Tech A4
Blade: 7 o’clock (Blues) (3)
TSD Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Myrsol Blue



2 pass shave - XTG, ATG

Second day in a row of success in “riding the cap!” Same solid shave as yesterday.

Six months into this gig and I think I’m finally at the point of contentedness with my daily shaves. Previously, as my technique improved I found myself pushing for BBS with each shave. I think part of it was due to trying so many new razors and blades I wanted to see if I could get ‘there’ with them.

I’m now at the point of realizing that a satisfying shave is more about daily focus on technique and then just letting the equipment do its thing. I’ll chase the baby on occasion now, or for that special event. But even an ‘ok’ shave now is way better than I had been getting in the past 40 years!

Cheers!
RT

 

After over one year of continuous and exclusive use of my Feather D2 as my DE razor of choice, I have received last week my Fatboy from Delta Echo. As such, I have dedicated all of December to shaving with this gorgeous razor. I have had Fatboys in the past, so it is not a brand-new experience but those days are long enough in the past to warrant a month dedicated to getting the technique right and finding the right settings on this adjustable.

 

You're on the right track with the Fat. Soak the puck as you are, use a fairly dry brush (I shake mine twice before starting to load) then load for longer than you think you need. I think @mantic recommends up to 90 seconds if my memory serves on his method. I don't use that long but I go at least 30-45 normally. I face lather, so can't speak to the scuttle technique but I have bowl lathered after a load like that and had mountains of lather. It's a picky soap but once you find the right technique it's one of the absolute best, IMHO.

 

Great looking Fatboy! They do good work there. I sold him both of my Slims so they should be on the market soon with his touch.

 

December Focus

The Twelve Blades of December!

Hard to believe we've almost put this year to bed. Wow. Where did the time go? But, here we are and as a gift to everyone here I'm offering up my shaves with twelve blades that have never touched my face, randomly paired with twelve of my DE razors. Two shaves with each setup to finish on Xmas Eve. So, sit back, get the fire burning and enjoy what I hope is an enjoyable month of further proof Technique Trumps Tools. I hope for that....my expectations aren't as optimistic.

December 2

Razor - Post War Gillette Tech
Blade - (2)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold water, Alum, Aqua Velva Musk

Day two on the Centwin from Malhotra in India. I was pleasantly surprised by the blade yesterday. Very smooth, comfortable and effective shave, with not a lot of irritation that some Platinums will cause me. Now, in a Tech it's probably hard to have a harsh shave, though I've done it, so perhaps the shaving gods were kind in starting this month with this combo. On to day two.

BoSFat for the lather today. After three days with the Wolf Whiskers Silvertip the feel of the boar was a nice change. I will admit (amazingly) that at one point I missed the feeling of the badger. But, I do like the scritch of boar and horse so no worries. Got a great face lather as always with this combo and went to work. Again, the Centwin performed flawlessly. Smooth, effective, though it does leave enough to require a full ATG third pass. Again, that may be partly the fault of the Tech, but even after three full passes to a near BBS I only had moderate irritation. Mostly my neck which was a bit red and fired up with the alum a bit. Again, platinum in some cases reacts with me. All in all, though, a great start to the month. Blade one is done and we move tomorrow to the second blade of December. I sense a disturbance looming. It's the Prime from Dorco. The razor is the Aristocrat though so the blade will have a lot of help. Enjoy Wednesday! A new work week and era begins for me in the morning so I'm enjoying a day of freedom today. Think I'll try a new hobby.

​

 

This is a benchmark post....the day you realize that your skills are automatic and that chasing is over! Congrats!

 

Beauty!