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

The force is strong in you it is, it appears you a natural for the dark side. You making fast progress.

 

Another Dark Sith Lord is born. You are getting good!

 

February 8

Weber Polished Head DE
Feather (2)
Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic
Arko
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and CC Bay Rum

I went ATG on the first pass and XTG on the second pass for near BBS results. The Arko generated a super slick lather, as usual. And the synthetic brush gave fair results. I'm paying extra attention to using no pressure, listening for the whiskers getting cut (indicative of correct blade angle), rinsing the blade frequently (1 swipe, flip, 1 swipe, and rinse), and stretch, stretch, stretching the skin. It's paying off with terrific shaves and no irritation day after day. The Weber has almost the perfect weight and grip for a DE. Compared to the Mongoose and the Feather AC, both of which use the thicker SE blades, I discern a bit of blade edge movement in the Weber using the much thinner Feather DE blade. It's still a great shave, but it does seem to have a different blade feel. The CC Bay Rum was a great finish for this shave on a cold February day.

I hope your week is starting off great!

 

Keith, congrats on a great shave! Talk about YMMV, I admire how you can manage daily 4-pass shaves! And your Hart straight razor has some beautiful scales.

 

I did a double take as well.

 

After Glen honed it, that Aust could shave the white off of rice!

 

Practice those skin stretches, they will be your main move pretty soon! Arko is in the building....

 

Another great friend advocating for my best interests........yeah, that's it.

 

Gorgeous Clint. Do I see you in that mirrored brush handle???

 

I had an Avon Beetle 45 years ago. My memory is actually triggering the scent. Nice.

 

Day 39 - 90 Day Intro to SR

8 February 2016



Whipped Dog "Sight Unseen" 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
Osage Rub
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Today was surely the best yet! I am writing this 6hrs post-shave, and still feel nearly BBS, except for a bit on the jaw corners. Focused again on a replicable two pass pattern, lots of stretch and super wet lather. It paid off! @Drygulch made a comment on another thread about razor grip, and it caused me to go kamisori style in a couple of areas along the jaw and lower cheek, and it's been a big improvement. Also really trying to get familiar with the motions necessary to strop well, that's still a bit awkward, but improving each day. The biggest quantum leap today was lack of irritation. Zero alum feedback. I do believe that means I had a good day on angle and pressure. I heard a local ball team had a game yesterday. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado!

Have a terrific Tuesday!
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February 2016 Focus -- Schick injectors

February 6 and 8

Razor: Schick Injector G Type
Blade: Chinese Schick Injector (5 and 6)
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Tabac and Stirling Sharp Dressed Man
Post: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel, Fine Platinum


Been gone for a bit and finally got caught back up. I had my last day on the road Saturday so I used the Tabac shave stick with the Schick G, so it was the same setup as my last report. I started the shave and in the middle of it had a knock at my hotel door. My supervisor wanted to chat before we headed down to the breakfast. Let him in and went to finish my shave. He was fascinated by the Schick and the soap/brush combo. We got to talking once I finished and I told him about the DE shaving. Gave him my Lord L6 once we got back, some GSB blades of course, and he bought a VDH set for the brush and all, and I gave him some soap samples. When I talked with him Monday he had used it a couple times and was very happy with the shaves, though he did have a nick on the chin this morning. He is planning to use it basically like a 30 day rule for the next little bit to decide if he likes it. If so, I am sure he will end up with more razors than I could ever imagine. I told him about this place, but he is not much for the interwebs (The actual word he used in a serious manner). Any way, the shave was a good one, another near BBS two pass shave.

I skipped my Sunday shave because I had a full day of wedding planning stuff, and then Super Bowl stuff to do and just did not take the time to shave. The Super Bowl ended just the way I wanted so absolutely no complaints there! I will not get started on Cam Newton, but I am not a fan and I am a huge fan of Manning so it worked out well! The wedding stuff on the other hand is going to drive me nuts. As I type this I am printing off RSVP cards and looking for ties that match bridesmaid dresses. AAARRRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Monday's shave was with the Sharp Dressed Man soap from Stirling. I really like the scent, but today for some reason I did not get a good lather the first try. No idea what went wrong but it was just flat and lifeless. So I started over from scratch and generated my usual Stirling thick cushion of lather. Took my time, remembering no pressure and keeping the angle. Ended today with a true BBS shave! My first actual BBS with the G type. My face is still probably CCS at this point and it is almost 18 hours since my shave! Really a great shave to end my use of the G on as I am now switching over to the Canadian Schick E type that I have. I will use a new Chick blade even though the one in the G showed no signs of letting up. Definitely will be able to get 7+ shaves out of a blade, which is great news.

Hope everyone's week is off to a good start!

 

I like the idea of both for Neal @NCoxSTL except my thought was one in each hand.

 

New idea: "Sterling Glacial Pain Stick Challenge"

What's the worst that could happen?

 

We gotta get you measured for that Jedi robe asap, you now have a convert and disciple! Congrats on showing the way of the L6!!!

 

Focus: NF Brush #5 - Feb 8
New Forest Oak wooden handle brush​

Peter, of New Forest, only ever made five wooden handled shaving brushes.
I'm fortunate to own three of them and this is his oak handle version.

The knot in this brush is just outstanding. Lathers up a storm, soft against your skin and with a backbone that make face lathering a breeze.
Rating: I'm giving it an 8.5/10. The 'best' NF brush out of the five I've used so far this month. More to come ​

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Definitely not ready for the Jedi robe yet. I am like Obi Wan talking on Anakin even though he was still wet behind the ears himself.

One of the funny parts of talking with him about shaving (he is in his mid 60s) was that he remembers using several old razors and hated them. From the descriptions it sounded like one was a early seventies super speed and the other was "gold looking and opened and closed with a turn but not adjustable" so I was thinking maybe an aristocrat or something similar. He said he never really learned how to use them except well enough to get by. He turned to carts and then electric. He has assured me he is going to stick with the L6 long enough to get decent technique before going back to electric. TTT!

 

No need to waste time getting to the bloody ending, right?

 

We're selling sponsorships for challenges and trials now? Cool! That would cover ER expenses and buy lots of razors and blades!