January 2016 Focus -- Blade search for the 1958 Executive

January 20-23

Razor: Gillette 1958 Executive adjustable
Blade: GSB
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Tabac
Post: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel, Fine Platinum

Been out of town on a business conference/training. Incredibly boring but at least I haven't been in the office. Been trying to catch up on the hundreds of posts. Glad Neal doing better and sounds like all the SR guys are doing well including the newbies!

Been using my Executive with the GSB to compare to the Bolzano. Both blades are excellent. I think the Bolzano is sharper but by the third shave or was not as smooth as the GSB after several more shaves. Definitely will continue using these two blades on a regular basis.

Will be out of town until Sunday and fortunately am driving so won't be in all the flying mess on the east coast.

William, have safe travels.

January 24 Plans
Shave Den Sunday

It's sunny here in my neck of the woods, and we're enjoying the 3-4" of snow that we received yesterday. I spent some time today learning and experimenting with some new features on my camera. I'm trying to improve my exposure controls, depth of field, and lighting. I've been using Fotor, which is a free on-line photo editor. I also found some very helpful YouTube videos on my specific camera and on different aspects of product photography. This photo was among my last batch of photos. Hopefully, the next batch will be better.

I hope everyone is having a great weekend.

That's a beautiful picture. I like the graining in the background and the slight reflection of the razor. Well done.

Great picture! What type of camera are you using?

I just broke focus I had an early morning shave planned, but my wife is out and my son is in bed so boredom struck. Out of interest and to track development I broke out my starting razor. The merkur 34c with a new Astra blade. I had an extremely enjoyable, care free shave i didn't chase the baby and settled for DFS but it was genuinely pleasant to not have to concentrate to much. The post care feels great and I'm very happy overall. I will see the focus out with my 1924 though.

Thank you!!

Amen brother!

Less is more!

If you will I'd like to solicit your opinions. This concerns next month's focus (it'll be here soon).

I have some new razors that I'd like to try. I've been disciplined in sticking with the 3-piece razor that I've used all this month. It has worked very well but I have nothing to compare it to you yet.

Should I try each razor for a week? Should I choose one of the razors and try it for a month (with opt-out privileges of course in case I don't like it)?

Razor options: I have a Maggard MR1 handle with closed and open comb heads, courtesy of @youngunn and the December Newbie giveaway. I was lucky to win a PIF from @Marverel as well as be a recipient of his generosity from the Newbie giveaway. I have a Dr. Dittmar razor (with 1904 handle) from him, as well as a Rimei razor and Wilkinson razor, all from Martin.

I have a few straights from @Troy M (another PIF win) but those will need to wait! I'm not ready to try them yet, but the dark side will be calling down the road.

Additionally, I plan to keep some type of schedule where I use the same soap on Monday-Thursday, and then alter it over the weekend. I will most likely use my new Omega 10049 boar brush as part of the focus too.

What do you guys think? I know we're still in January but I want to start planning ahead and getting ideas.

I would suggest picking one razor as I don't think a week is long enough to really give a razor a chance or master it. I could be wrong but I believe for new comers it takes almost a full focus to master a new razor. Of course it's up to you at the end of the day. I seem to remember a member posting, you will become a jack of all razors but a master of none. It must be hard not to explore all your options but advice I received early on was master technique and take time and enjoy whimsical shaving later with a higher skill set.

I agree with you. It's tempting to try all the razors I have, of course! My focus this month was getting in and building technique, which I certainly have done. I'm much better and farther along than I was at the beginning of the month. But of course there is still much, much more to do and learn.

We are all different as are all razors you may find a few of the razors quite similar and master them quickly. This is what I expected going into my 1924. I give myself ten days to master it and quickly realised it was a whole new skill to learn basically starting all over again. I'm only just getting consistent good shaves now. what about using the Maggard for the focus but changing the heads half way through? This way it keeps it interesting while keeping the handle the same keeps some consistency. This would also help me get opinions on open vs closed

I like it! I've never used an open comb before and want to try it. That's a good suggestion Tom. Thanks!

I'm really wanting to try an open comb myself. Whatever focus you choose I'm sure it will be interesting. From a selfish point of view a comb comparison would be great for me.

I think you should give the open comb a try as well. That way you'll know if you like the feel of open comb razors. After trying a New Long Comb, open comb razors became my favorite DE razors.

Sounds like a plan is coming together! Perhaps a comb comparison is in the works then.

Sounds like a good plan.

Sounds like a fun focus.

I'm going out tonight, so what does that mean?

Second SOTD
Route 66 Sweeney Todd
Rubberset 400
Feather AC SS
Feather Pro (1)
St John's Bay Rum AS

I stayed with my hard soap focus and used my favorite soap and AS. Have a nice evening!