January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Ummmm...yes. Why do you ask?

 

Lots of votes, you just can't see them til you cast a vote. Or click: see results

 

ahh, thanks.

 

SOTD January 9, 2016
Focus day 6

Prep: Warm shower, Jackalope beer soap
Blade: Personna lab blue (2)
Razor: Wet Shave Club 3-piece
Brush: Badger
Lather: Mitchells Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel splash, Country Club Southern Oud, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, XTG, touch-up

Nice CCS results today. This was my initial venture with MWF and I wasn't disappointed! The protection and cushioning is all you could ask for but the post shave feel is really tremendous. I am quite glad to have some (thanks again to @Boojum1) and will use it with pleasure!

I went for touch-up on my neck after two passes and probably should've just stopped. There are a couple of red spots which is unusual, but they have calmed down since the post shave treatments and aren't too bad. The rest of my face is okay and feels nice and hydrated from the Wool Fat post shave feel combined with Nivea balm. The CC Southern Oud is not my favorite scent however. I may not use it again.

EDIT: Now that I'm a few hours after my shave I am happy to report there is NO redness of any sort of my neck or anywhere else. In fact I will say this is the finest DE shave I've had yet! Very smooth, just a little bit of stubble on my chin and jaw line. I reacted and wrote this post too soon after the shave.

My goal for this shave, other than getting to use MWF, was to really think about little to no pressure the whole time. I did that for the most part but caught myself a couple of times around my chin pushing a little too hard. I did feel more successful on my neck with less pressure. The pressure I've been using was adequate due to lack of irritation but I think it could be backed off even a little more. That will be an ongoing technique battle! I'm proud that I know improvement HAS been made since starting about two weeks ago. There is still so much more to learn and refine but the small improvements are encouraging.

Tomorrow will most likely be a face resting day followed by the return of Proraso White on Monday.

Hope you are having a great Saturday!

 

I went rogue with this shave. The gods of random called for Proraso White, but I’d gotten a tube of Tet-a-Tet shave cream along with a blade order yesterday. I couldn’t resist trying it. Those of you that don’t like soap smelling like soap probably won’t like it. But those of you that judge by performance rather than scent may just want to give it a try. I liked it a lot.



I’m still not all that impressed with the Semogue 2000. Today I squeezed out a lot of the water and that helped, but it’s still a little more squishy than I’d like. Plus it resists being combed out compared to my Omegas. I’ll keep working with it through January Focus, but I’m beginning to have my doubts.

I got to use my Old Type #2 today along with a Gillette Silver Blue. I like that pairing. I’m beginning to favor non-TTO heads primarily because they are more sure around my goatee.

I went Thayers, Nivea Balm, Old Spice today to combat some of the rash I’m getting around the base of my neck. We’ll see how that works out.

 

You are doing great. Your pretty much where I was this far into a focus and I would happily wager by the end you will hit BBS with no issue. It seems you are critical of your technique which will be a massive help. I spent ten days in denial which definitely held me up. The only advise I can offer being new myself, is don't get caught up in BBS. Just focus on doing the best passes you can. At the end you may be surprised. Don't think of the end product just see how it turns out.

 

I blamed cuts on my head on my son last week. Saying he had scratched my head. Not proud but it's funny.

 

I don't mean to sound patronising but have you broke the semogue in? I have to ask as I've just ordered two. The 1520 and the 1305. I must add I know nothing of brushes

 

Less than 24 hours away from the thread and over 100 posts to catch up on. I am taking a day off from shaving today, but will get one in early tomorrow. I got up and made the kids breakfast, and then just got busy from there. Next thing I know it is 5:00 in the evening. Hope everyone is having a great Saturday.

 

January 10 (Shave Den Sunday)

Gillette Flare Tip Super Speed (Z3)
Feather (3)
Rudy Vey Shavemac two-band silver tip badger brush
TSD unscented soap
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Alt Innsbruck

I've have a tried and true combo lined up for Shave Den Sunday. The Super Speed and the Shavemac brush pair up well for a great shave. I face lather, and I use my Becker travel scuttle to keep my lather warm between passes. I hope to pick up a couple of spares in different colors. TSD soap is slick and protective. If you don't have some already, you need to try it. Alt Innsbruck is a fantastic finish to any shave. It has a tobacco scent, a hint of menthol, and good longevity.

I hope everyone has a blessed Sunday.

 

Er, uh, no reason...I mean, uh, this might be a better approach for you on those trouble spots.

 

Jan 9, day 8

3 pass BBS with the Pils today. Ive got this mild razor dialed in and its giving me great shaves. Ive found I can make 2 ATG passes with the pils, where most other razors would cause some serious irritation.

 

Yes, it's broken in. If not completely, at very least much, much more than my Omegas.

 

Glad you like the MWF. Enjoy your off day!

 

That doesn't sound good I was going to buy one expensive brush but opted for 2 semogues. What was the Brush you recommended to me a while back? The omega....

 

48 Pro or 98 Pro. But Semogues are well regarded. Maybe more so than Omegas. So I'd say consider my experience something of an anomaly. I still think there must be something I'm missing. It might just be that I prefer a stiffer brush than most people.

 

@Hodge what a pretty photo and such lovely gear.

 

Of course it's completely individual. It's hard for someone starting out, you want the best kit but it's so diverse there is no best set up. Maybe I will enjoy the semogues. I just wish I could do spread sheets

 

I'm hoping one of you guys is familiar with the 1924? I believe @clint64 is? I'm having trouble loading the blade, wondered if it's common.

 

I don't think it's a common. What sort of issue are you having?