January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Thanks Charlie. The brush is aqua marine resin.

 

Thank you.

 

Jan 24 Focus Shave 18

Feeling cocky and given I have plenty of time to shave my scary Robert Williams Purist is the razor of choice. It was touched up on Shapton 12k and 16k followed by Dove red/black paste.

Usually I do four passes but today I only did 3 passes. This was the closest I have ever been after just 3 passes with a straight, almost BBS. The alum test gave just a little bit of feedback. I was over confident and had user errors result in small cuts. Nothing significant but a reminder to pay attention and go slow.

Irritation A- Closeness A- Smoothness B+ Keenness A

AoS Sandalwood
Ken BK8
Woodhead scuttle
Robert Williams Purist
Dry Gulch strop
Specik AS
L'Occitane Cade ASB
Dior Leather Oud

Our coldest week of the season in what has otherwise been a mild winter.

 

Thanks, Jim, for the kind words. I use a Nikon D5200 perched on a 30-year-old tripod that I've had since college. It has so many features, and I've basically been using it on the Program modes. That works OK for most situations, but it doesn't give the best results for SOTD photos. Today, I spent some time taking photos at 100 ASA, f/18, and 1 stop underexposed. I even used the camera's built-in 2-second shutter delay to minimize camera shake. I also added some extra diffusers to my lights. (I draped some white t-shirts over the white paper towels that I had already taped over them. ) Not exactly Madison Avenue, but the results are better. I'm going to experiment more with my lights and with some different backgrounds. I don't have a great eye for composition, so I'll take all the help I can get from my 30 day brothers.

I used to enjoy 35 mm film photography, so this has been fun for me. I'll keep my Canon AE-1 for a shelf decoration.

 

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Pre: Hot Shower, Sterling Pre-Shave Soap, Proraso Green Pre-Shave
Soap: TSD 2X Iced Barbershoppe
Brush: Rubberset 400 #4 TGN HMW
Razor: British Aristocrat #58
Blade: Polsilver SI #1
Post: Alum, Witch Hazel, Unrefined Shea Butter, Folsom & Co. Shambala

Today's shave with the mid 50s Rhodium British Aristocrat #58 was three passess and near BBS. A mild razor reminiscent of the 40-50s Super Speeds yet heavier. The @clint49 restored Rubberset 400 #4 has a luxurious full face feel and had no trouble generating a nice icy cold lather. Finished with a splash of F&C Shambala and I'm ready for some chores. Hope everyone is having a restful Sunday.

 

Thank you, Tom.

 

Mark, that's a beautiful set up and a great photo. The colors pop, and I really like that Aristocrat!

 

Wow, nice brush!

 

I would try each razor for a week and then try each for a day so you can compare them. The weeks use will give you a chance to dial them in and the a daily change will give you a back to back comparison. Just my 2 cents.

 

I admire you confidence, using the Feather before going out.

 

I recommend putting all the DE nonsense aside, and going right to your straights. What's the worst that could happen?

I did about 11 months of shaving with DE razors before I went to the dark side. I think it was important for me to figure out my face, and get a feel for how each razor works. DEs gave me my first introduction to blade angle and pressure. Straights make sure you respect those things.

If you haven't been DE shaving too long, I would say two razors in a month would be a good focus. See if you can group similar ones. How is your lathering? If you aren't solid in that yet, look at one soap and brush too. That will help you build the skills that will make mastering a straight razor much more fun.

 

It will likely take thirty shaves to break in the Omega. The Maggard (both Open and Closed comb) will be nearly identical to what you're currently using. (Comb style has nothing to do, whatsoever, with aggressiveness.) and The Wilkinson will be more aggressive. The Rimei is a Tech Clone, and very mild. Maybe that will help?

 

I would spend the month with the Maggard.

 

Steve McQueen would be proud.

 

Today was a good one! Spent more time on the hones, and got it as a pretty smooth shaver. Not as good as some razors I have used, but pretty good all the same. DFS +, Closeness A-, Irritaion A-, Keeness B+, Smoothness A-.

 

.Hydra
WD 20mm Synthetic
WD unseen 6/8 unmarked straight
Humphreys Lilac Witch Hazel

2 pass N/S then S/N with some surprises. I ended up with a few weepers at each side of my chin and a surprise Near BBS on my neck. Still some trouble in my goatee area but it is very tough hair. I have to say that this 6/8 is my favorite razor so far even though the steel is softer and needs to go back to pasted hones more often. I'm loving the extra weight and width in it compared to my other whole razors. It makes me very excited to finish sanding and scaling my box of blades I have very very thick heavy ground wide razors in that box. The hydra and WD brush gave me way too much lather with a 10 sec load. I'm convinced I can get a decent lather out of nearly any soap with my Synthetic or my boar brush at this point. I still keep Williams in my rotation but I find MWF takes longer to lather. I think my next shave I will push the limits one more step and lather up plain yellow dial soap.

I ended up with no irritation(except those few weepers) and a DFS. I'll need to take the WD razor to my finishing stone soon. I think Ill be giving the French Faux Frameback some time next.

 

I'm at a hockey game. Facial wounds just give me cred

 

Now I see the logic.

 

+1

 

So would a mullet, but I get your point! Carry on!