Always remember.....for safety....do as I SAY....not as I DO!! Well, mostly anyway. Bold and adventurous types are welcome to follow along.

First shave of the 30 day rule went well today. Razor was gliding across my face. But I must have been a little over confident when I got to my Adams apple region, which is the hardest part for me to shave and a sensitive region. On the face, WTG, XTG in both directions. On the neck, 2 WTG passes. Everything feels great except the Adams apple

SOTD January 1, 2016

Pre: Warm shower
Blade: Rapira Swedish Supersteel (3)
Razor: WSC 3-piece
Brush: Nylon synthetic
Lather: Pacific Caffeinated Shave Cream
Post: Witch hazel splash, Captain's Choice North, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

My focus will begin on Monday since the holidays are still upon us.

Decent shave today. Only needed one pass with touch-up due to shaving late yesterday afternoon. The Pacific cream didn't lather like I remembered. It almost seemed as if the brush sucked up all the cream before the lathering in the bowl could do anything. I was not too happy with it this time. I've used it before with more success.

I've enjoyed the Rapira blade! I am new to this style of shaving and have now tried three brands of blades - Rapira, Astra SP, and Personna lab blue. I feel the Rapira is the best of those three.

I've noticed a few bumps on my cheek so I may take tomorrow off from shaving. Either tomorrow or Sunday. That's a little unusual for me so I'll need to do some analyzing to see what might be behind the irritation.

I hope all have a great New Year's Day!

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Happy New Year everyone! This month's focus is on 2 things:

My King Cobra razor, and using this Muhle Synthetic brush that I had for a while.

Ummmm......is there a problem in there somewhere?

I humbly suggest no prep other than hand washing (no cloth) your face with mild soap and lukewarm water. Over prep is a very common source of irritation. Your razor DE or SE already provides sufficient exfoliation, any hard scrubbing and you risk adding to the irritation.

So far so good! The neck is the trickiest part. I really like the that you're sticking to WTG on the neck. Chasing BBS on the neck is tricky, and largely unnecessary. Nice day today!

Fantastic picture. How much snow do you have? Fine L'Orange Noir is nice. Clean.

If only I'd of read this before my shave. Bad technique tonight coupled with over prep. I've got cuts weepers and Lots of burn my head is killing me it is a valued lesson I'm one of life's people that learns best the hard way. This 1924 is all or nothing in terms of angle, you get it right it's a beautiful shave if angle is off slightly it bites. I'm definitely pressing on it a little as well I will get there. The pain I'm feeling now will improve my technique, I don't want this again. This will be an interesting focus.

Seems you had an interesting shave also. Today I learned not to persist with poor lather next time I will wash it away and start again, I also learned I need to show the 1924 more respect and slow down I'm approaching it with the confidence I gained using my 34c and it's a totally different ball game

Although I'm sitting here in agony, I'm very pleased you had a good one

Great pic again Douglas for some reason I like the way the fine is angled.

We all had these days in the beginning. Don't let it get you down!

The 1924 does require a great deal of respect. I've found it best to start with the head nearly flat to my face. As you start the stroke drop the handle until you hear the whiskers being cut. With time and practice the angle will become second nature. Also a very light touch is needed. If you forget you'll pay a price for the error. The 1924 will punish incorrect technique quickly. At least that is what happened to me.

I'm not its part of the process and keeps it interesting, like someone said the other day getting an uneventful BBS every time would get tiresome. Thanks for the moral boost my head looks like a pizza at the moment... Great fun

That is a great piece of advice about starting flat and dropping the handle, that is precisely the approach I need to take. I wouldn't of thought of that so thanks. It's certainly interesting going from a razor that allows plenty of room for mistakes to one that punishes mistakes instantly. I'm loving the 1924 even though all I've done is hurt myself with it.

A New Year - A New Beginning



Whipped Dog 4-sided Paddle Strop
Ralf Aust 5/8 Round Point
Whipped Dog "Sight Sight Unseen SR"



@Drygulch Leatherworks "45", strop #82, black bridle/poly web



Ralf Aust 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 Lumberjack Lanolin Shave Soap
Alum
Pinaud Clubman
TSD ISZ SubZero AS Splash
Patience
Focus
Charlie Danger 59 Fat Boy Safety Net

I am a newbie again!!!

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Will this be your first experience with straights?

Absolutely my first try. Will give it a go in about two hours or so! Nervously excited!

That's great to hear it will be good to follow. I hope it goes well I imagine with your experience it won't go horribly wrong. Good luck