February '16 - 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion Thread

February Focus - German blades

February 8

Razor - Merkur 23c
Blade - (2)
Brush - Vie-Long 12601
Soap - Proraso Green
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, Nivea, Clubman

Ah, the weekend has finally arrived. On my schedule at least. Nice cold morning with a few snow flurries to remind us it's still winter in the Lou.

Second day of the trial for Wilkinson Sword. This blade was absolutely amazing yesterday. I've seen good reviews from others who have used it and am happy to find they were apparently spot on. Still trying to nail down the actual facts about its manufacture and such, but that's just my obsessive curiosity at work. The quality of the shave was impeccable.

Used the horse brush today along with Proraso for the lather. These two really work well together. Great lather and feel from the brush. I changed my technique a bit on the WTG pass. Normally I use one edge for the face and the other for my neck on the right side to start, then rinse, and do the same on the left. I decided to try using a single edge on the entire right side today, then flipping to the other edge for the left, eliminating the need for a rinse in the middle. The result on the first pass was excellent. The blade is still super smooth and the only change I noticed was a bit less reduction in a couple of spots. By not spinning the razor to the second edge between face and neck I changed the angle of attack on the jawline a bit. That left a bit more work in that area.

Second pass, XTG, I went back to a spin between face and neck on each side and worked a Gillette Slide into the pass on the neck. Definitely achieved a very near BBS after that. Similar to yesterday's result that I finally declared BBS, but two small areas that just barely missed. So, since I had to do that touch up I decided an entire third pass with ATG would be helpful to judge the blade. Not necessary to finish it, but it would be a check on its smoothness and whether or not it would increase irritation. Finished that pass with yet another G-Slide on the neck and there's the baby again. Fantastic. Unless, of course, the irritation is off the charts. With Proraso I have a bit of trouble deciding prior to alum whether or not it's a problem. The menthol and eucalyptus in the soap provides its own tingle and freeze so while it feels like I may have roughed things up it can be just the effect of the soap.

Alum all over - and - nothing. Absolutely quiet again. I'm not even sure what to say. Two shaves, change of technique, extra pass, two slides and a BBS with no bite. There is no way this doesn't get five steins again. Unless this blade just drops off the cliff after the second shave I expect a great day tomorrow with it. I may have a contender on my hands for the chance to win the "top blade" competition around here.

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Welcome to the focus. If you don't already love the idea, it will grow on you very quickly.

 

I hear nothing but good things about the wilkinson swords. 5 steins 2 days in a row can be bad.

 

I really like the Kai blades. Even though I've focused more on the Feather Pros the last few times I've used AC blades I always look longingly at the Kais. I feel a comparison coming on suddenly. The only question is.....compare in the Feather SS or a Mongoose? I have a few weeks to ponder.

 

I vote pain stick.
Why not both? That way we can see you injure yourself twice as much...

 

LOL I thought you'd be impressed.

The Wikipedia page for Wilkinson Sword appears to be accurate with regard to these blades in that they are made by Edgewell Personal Care (same parent as Personna). What it seems to missing is the explanation of how Gillette (P&G) owns the Wilkinson Sword name for use in India.

 

Now that's funny

 

I may have to do the same comparison in my AC. I really liked the Pro in that razor.

 

I hope you all will indulge me in a little exercise to determine my next soap. Part of my focus is using the same soap, brush, razor, and blade for Tuesday-Thursday to help eliminate variables, learn to lather that particular soap better, and on and on. But I can't decide what soap to use. My options for this exercise are:

1. VDH luxury scented
2. Arko
3. Soap Commander Vision (sample)
4. Mitchell's Wool Fat
5. Country Club Cahaba Blues
6. TSD shave stick unscented
7. Proraso red**
8. Ginger's Garden salty mariner**
9. Trader Joe's shave soap
10. TSD lanolin bay rum

** denotes new, unopened soaps

I will turn to the trusty folks at random.org for some assistance.

The setup:



And, the result:



The winner is.........Proraso Red!! I've enjoyed both Proraso White and Green so I'm pleased with this choice.

Thank you, gentlemen, for a brief sojourn into picking my next three shaves! I appreciate your indulgence.

 

Glad to see join in!

 

That is a puzzling question. That and if the blade is carbon/stainless/coated/not coated. However, I'm assuming stainless by the feel and performance as well as no rust apparent. And I've left it in a humid environment on purpose to test that.

 

I find myself not surprised at all at your choice of pain stick. Or the opportunity for me to injure myself twice. Hmmmmmm. Maybe tape both the Kai and Feather onto the blade of the Russian straight.....oh wait....that would only tend to improve its performance. Never mind.

 

I've used the Kai Guard and Mild as well as the Pro Guard and Mild from Feather. I just didn't pay a lot of attention to comparing them. I don't think I'd go back to the guards, just compare the Kai and Feather directly. Maybe even the regular Kai as well.

 

I have been inspired by Neal's recent posts (@NCoxSTL) about German blades. I'm going to try a Wilkinson Sword tomorrow and the next few days. I have Wilkinson Sword (India) blades as well as Wilkinson Sword blades from tryablade.com. I assume the German blades are in the white wrapper? The India blades also say Gillette on the wrappers.

 

SOTD February 9, 2016
Focus day 9

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Wilkinson Sword (1)
Razor: Maggard MR1
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Proraso Red
Post: Witch hazel splash, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

This was an easy, smooth, efficient CCS. Some thoughts:

Lather - First time with Proraso Red. It lathered up nicely similar to the White and Green varieties that I've used. Good protection and perhaps better slickness and post-shave feel than the other varieties. I enjoyed the scent as well.

Blade - First time using a Wilkinson Sword blade. Wow! It felt smooth and sharp. It worked quite well and contributed to only needing one pass with a tiny amount of touch-up. I am pleasantly surprised with the Wilkinson Sword blade! The 5 beer steins from @NCoxSTL are not an error; this blade seems to be the real deal.

Technique - My razor skills continue to improve. I had one small weeper yesterday but none today. Irritation is almost nonexistent. The path of cutting the hairs combined with light pressure is working well. Plus I stay committed to the one pass with touch-up approach for my weekday shaves. That has contributed to almost irritation-free shaves.

I'll use this combination again tomorrow and Thursday before changing it up. Hope you all have a great day!

 

The German ones I have just say Wilkinson Sword on them. No mention of Gillette. The Indian ones have a sticker saying India that Jason put on them. I think you'll love the German ones. I haven't tried the Indian ones but will at some point. If you do post up what you find!

 

Yes, that's what I thought. The Indian blades have a sticker on them. The German blades have a white wrapper that just says Wilkinson Sword. That is the blade I'll use tomorrow at least.

 

Feb 9 Focus Shave 6

Today's razor is Hart Steel 6/8 round point touched up on Shapton 12/16k followed by Dovo red/black paste.

The razor felt smooth and the shave went smoothly. I had to be careful where I cut myself 2 days ago but was able to avoid any further damage. Four uneventful passes expect for a small nick. Alum test gave only the faintest tickle, I thought I nailed the BBS but I fell just short.

Irritation A Closeness A- Smoothness A Keenness A-

QCS Fogére
Simpson Polo 12 super badger
Large Woodhead scuttle
Hart Steel 6/8 round point
Speick AS
L'Occitane Cade ASB
MDCI Invasion Barbare

 

Pain stick! Pain stick! Pain stick!

 

I thought it was a condom in anticipate of the side effects of a great shave.