January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

1) What is your baseline/benchmark setup?
2) Have you attempted to completely isolate the variable that's caused the problems for you?

But hey, congrats on catching a great shave today!

 

New Year's Day 2016


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I did my first lifetime SR shave today with the @Keithmax Ralf Aust 5/8. I did a complete N-S pass and almost a whole E-W pass. Crazy audible feedback! I concentrated on two spine width angles, and it peeled the whiskers clean off. Surprisingly the Route 66 protected my face from my novice SR skill! Alum was alright. Touched up with a Gillette Fat Boy, ISZ and Clubamn, and I had a great experience. No blood at all! Time spent reading all the stuff about SR really paid off today! Will definitely doing again tomorrow! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado!
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Have a super Saturday!

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Very nice! Welcome to the dark side.

 

Thank you! I must confess I was a little nervous at first, but it was easier than I anticipated. I credit the Brotherhood of the Pain Stick and the SR guys like Adam, Keith, Kevin, et al for giving me the knowledge I needed to make it work. But as you observed earlier, after that easy of a first day, I worry the initial mishap just might be a glorious disaster.

But hey, what's the worst that could happen?

 

Sheffield England has produced three of my top five straight shavers that I own. This is my first 9/16 hollow. After lots of research, trial and error, and and hairless arm (and part of one leg) I got this steel into a whisker wrecking machine. THIS blade will be my focus for the month. After which I'll be doing a complete restore complete with new scales.

2 passes wtg and xtg with Stirling vanilla sandalwood providing the fluffy protection. This had to be one of my favorite scents of all time. I enjoyed the larger blade. The jibs I line on all my straights. The big blade felt well balanced in my hand and frankly want too nervous after the first few strokes. Do I have some things to learn about honing still? Yes sir. But this was a great first step in my learning process.

 

Yes I bought some cheap fabric and leather strops so each paste has it's own strop.

Edit... Yes it is an extra data point, even if unintended. I look forward to seeing how well it will shave when stropped.

 

On excellent start, much better than my first shave. I am glad the razor is working for you.

 

Why doesn't this surprise me?!!!
Well done Chris!

oh-oh, I've heard that one before!

 

whoa! just another thing I missed this month!

Congrats Keith!

(Breeds Pet Rocks ??? I'm not even going to ask!)

 

Wow, final a CT. I didn't notice. I finally arrived.... I think.

 

J-nat slurry thread?

 

Thanks Vince!

 

Apparently you had it all ready to go! Seemed really sharp. It went way better than I was thinking it would. It will be a while until bbs, but I loved it today.

 

It was several months until I found the baby. Even now it is not every time. It is a long but rewarding journey to the dark side. The challenge is very addictive.

 

Oooh, a Type C focus.

 

I just finished my sixth focus month. They have been fantastic for increasing the quality of my shaves. I now get consistent BBS shaves and rarely get any weepers or significant irritation. I can even shave consistently with a Feather AC which I would have given up on if it wasn't for committing to a whole month with it. Having said all that, I miss some of my razors that have been gathering dust because of my focuses.
I have always been a cream fan and have mainly used TOBS creams with great results. I recently got some nice hard soaps from TSD, Route 66 and MWF. I want to focus on learning how to get consistent good lathers with these soaps. This will give me an opportunity to rotate my razors while focusing on hard soap lather skills. I started with the MWF and will use it for the first week. I need to hunt down the three were using MWF is discussed as it was a little work to get it lathered up. I did like the shave once I got a lather. I used one of my favorite razors today and got a very nice shave that is still DFS over twelve hours later.
SOTD
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Doug Korn Brush
Stahly Live Blade head on Weber Bulldog handle.
Feather blade (1)
Déjà Fougère AS
Have a great year!

 

Must be the quote from my smart aleck girlfriend. She assured me no matter how I try I can't breed pet rocks. I will show her.

 

See, I really do lurk the SR forum. I think it's a great CT.

 

Sounds like a great first straight razor shave. Hope the rest go this well!

 

Thanks William!

Me too! What's the worst that could happen?