January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

I look forward to getting to that point. I also look forward to how your next shave goes including the first strop good luck with that.

 

Thank you! I have a shave planned in a couple of hours, will post the outcome!

 

I know others have said this, but let me add mine. Welcome to the 30 Day crew! We're glad your with us!

 

Welcome to the 30 Day crowd, we're glad you're here! I like the Rapira too, but I found that I liked the Super Stainless, better than the Swedish Supersteel. Not sure why, but the Super Stainless gave me closer shaves in more razors with less irritation than the Swedish Supersteel. Naturally, everyone is different (Your Mileage May Very) so stay with the blade you like for your focus, and checkout others later when you feel like it.

 

I made almost three months with wet shaving before I went to straights. I haven't looked back. 30 day foci are very helpful with straights too.

 

Charlie-

I have a four sided WD paddle, two sides leather, two sides of ChromOx balsa red and green. I will learn to strop on that, and gain a little touch and confidence. After that...

I have a new black 45 from Adam that is hanging right now. Gravity is straightening it out, and I am hand rubbing it daily to condition it per Adam's info letter. Once my strop skills are ok, I'll move over to Adam's 45.

Edit: I have not shaved yet today.

 

My opinion is that it's easier than people think.

 

DFS this morning. Lather was my best yet, nice and smooth with a great cushion to it. This proraso green is very newbie friendly, loving it. Shaving technique felt pretty good today as well. Was extra cautious around the adams apple and did not get over confident this time. Near perfect shave except a pretty decent nick on my chin where I have a scar (goes all the way across horizontally) which I have not had an issue with until today.

 

January 2016 Focus -- Blade search for the 1958 Executive

January 2

Razor: Gillette 1958 Executive adjustable
Blade: SuperMax Blue Diamond (2)
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Arko
Post: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel, Fine Clean Vetiver

Another good shave from the SuperMax. Again very close and no irritation. Still more touch up required than with the GSB but a good overall shave. Today was again very close to BBS but not quite. It did very well lasting yesterday but not as long today.

I tried arko again. I had a hard time with it last time I used it. Well I still have a hard time with it. I used it as a stick and smeared it all over my face. Wet my Kong really well and started swirling. I get plenty of lather using it but it seems to dissipate and just is not very slick for me. Probably will just put it away and only use it as an emergency travel soap. Oh well.

One more day with the SuperMax and then will draw my next blade.

Edit: For some reason I can't get a picture to load. I will try again later tonight or maybe take another picture if I get a chance.

 

I largely learned on Proraso. Very glad it worked out for you! Good day today!

 

Question for face latherers: what's the best way to do creams? My thought is to put a dime sized dab on each side and then using a damp brush begin working it around. Or is it better to smear it on with your hands as if you were smearing a shave stick so it is everywhere and then work it with the brush. Thanks for the tips. Tomorrow will be my Proraso red since everyone talking about Proraso.

 

I just put a dab on each side of my face and go from there.

 

Asia is covered, this 'no buy' for a year sounds like insanity to me.

 

I smear on face and lather with a brush, adding water as needed to the knot of the brush.

 

Jan 3 Focus Shave 2

Today's razor and treatment is a Dovo Bismarck finished on Shapton 12k, Dovo red/back paste. Today I remembered to strop first. Yesterday's Dovo and today's razor shave very similar, well identical to me. The only difference is the diamond paste finish and forgetting to strop.

The blade felt much smoother today, I am guessing because I stropped the razor. The first pass also did more beard reduction than normal. Four passes felt very smooth but I had several weepers, I think this was due to some pimples and yesterdays weepers. The alum showed that I had less irritation than yesterday except for where I had the weepers. BBS today too.

Irritation B+ Closeness A Smoothness A- Keenness A (I upgraded my scoring systems to match @Drygulch)

QCS Fougère
Gemstars Elk Antler silver tip
Whitehead scuttle
Dove Bismark 2
Dry Gulch strop
Lucky Tiger AS
Castle Forbes Lavender ASB
Creed Royal Mayfair (Windsor)

 

It sounds like either too much water or not enough soap on your face. Get crazy with it, and when you think you have enough, do some more.

 

Sounds like the plan! Thanks guys.

 

I thought I had twice as much of both as I needed. Will definitely look into more water. It produced an explosion of lather it just disappeared and want very slick. Will add more of both but especially water and give it one more try next week.

 

Not sure what micron but is 200,000 grit.

Just looked it up, 0.1 micron.

 

Ikon B1 Standard bar razor with bulldog handle. Paired with a Shark SS. Lather: Dusy Kabinett Brush: TGN Finest badger.