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

Yep, that mug confirms it, I don't meet the minimum IQ requirements for this thread!

Nice pics, Charlie!

 

Y'know, at Amazon, the Clubman A.S. Original (6 oz). is zooming in on 1.000 reviews.

 

Friday, February 19, 2016

Soap: MDC Original
Brush: Elite Razor Malachite & Ivory
Razor: The One Blade
Blade: GEM Super Stainless #4
Post: Small Batch Shave Tonic

 

February Focus - German blades

February 18

Razor - Merkur 23c
Blade - (3)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Proraso Green tub
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, The Veg

Final day on the Croma. That's very good news. For some reason this blade has just irritated the living daylights out of me. Not really sure why as I've certainly had worse shaves from worse blades. I think my expectations got out of hand in the early going. The Elios wasn't great, but the Timor, Wilkinson Sword and Bolzano spoiled me. Even the Merkur didn't bug me as much as this one and it wasn't great either. Whatever the reason I ended this quickly with a two pass shave this morning. Had good lather from the Proraso and enjoyed that but after two passes and a nice high end CCS I was done. Splashed on the ever delightful Veg and headed off to work secure in the knowledge that the Croma was in the rear view mirror.

I'm going to finish it with a three stein rating for the day. It's just average. Yeah, high end CCS and it could have been DFS on the third pass but why work that hard for such a mediocre feel and result? Again, better options out there. Ok, done pouting about it.

Tomorrow is the last blade from Germany. The Schick Premium. I'll be switching to the Schick Krona razor for an all Schick finish. Let's hope for a nice finish. Three days on this setup then I'm going to choose a top German blade and finish the month with my top Russian, German, and "other" blades. More blade comparisons in March are in the works, but blades of a different sort.

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I buy that at CVS for less than the Amazon price.

 

Welcome home Chris.

 

Straights Focus February 19:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Latha SS
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Latha Post Shave

Another one pass CCS this morning. I was a bit sleepy (tried to give my wife a bit of a break on baby duties) but the shave helped to get me focused and motivated for the day. Have a great Friday.

 

02/19/2016
AlumiGoose with Triad SS
Feather Super Pro (7)
Olivewood with TGN Finest Fan
Chiseled Face Trade Winds
Witch Hazel
Fine L’Orange
Whipped Shea Butter

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A very good 2 pass with touch ups near BBS shave this morning. However, I did pick up several weepers. This combo is just going to require more time for me to master. I am not sure it's worth the time since the Feather Pro blade delivers nearly an identical shave without the drama. The AlumiGoose is clearly a more aggressive razor than my B2 Mongoose. I am slowly working through the Chiseled Face Trade Winds soap. Getting very close to the end now and should be done by the end of the month. Finished with a splash of Fine L'Orange. Hope everyone has a fantastic Friday.

 

Welcome back Chris!

 

2/19/16

Gillette Old Type
Feather Hi-Stainless (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Prairie Creations Clubman
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



First time trying a Prairie Creations soap. This sample came from the Nation Wide Box tour that swung by in November. The lather appeared nice and rich when I started but didn't feel as slick as some of the other soaps I've been using. As time went on, it appeared to go on thinner and didn't seem like it offered as much protection as I normally feel I have. This made some of the strokes feel harsher than usual. I also needed to do more touch up than I typically do. The Clubman burned like fire. But after it had dried, my face felt nice and I wound up with a BBS.

Happy Friday everyone!

 

Razor: Merkur Futur
Blade: Feather (1)
Brush: Omega 81230
Soap: MWF
Post: Alum + Fine L'orange

Very nice 3 pass total BBS with minimal touch up. I put the Futur up to 5 today, it's a very forgiving razor. I had no qualms pushing it to 5 with a new feather and I was rewarded. Feathers are superb I would pick them over Astra's which is my only comparison. MWF is also a favourite, my skin seems to have really improved. Although it could be the string of great shaves lately. I am so fond of the Futur I am going to order 2 more. One as a back up for me and one for my son when he is of age. I know how often things are discontinued in the wet shave world. Have a great day all.

 

SOTD February 19, 2016
Focus day 19
Day 4 of open comb use and comparison

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Personna lab blue (4)
Razor: Maggard MR1 handle with V2 open comb
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with 'New Spice' aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

The Wool Fat did not disappoint this morning! What a tremendous soap. It's no coincidence that it gets a lot of use on TSD. Slick, voluminous lather that cushions and protects and then makes your skin feel amazing post-shave. But, I know I'm preaching to the choir because you folks recognize and understand the joys of MWF too. Great stuff.

The V2 open comb continues to do quite well for me. The Personna blade is a great companion to this razor head. My shaves this week have been closer than usual and I can only attribute that to a good blade and razor combination. I'll continue to use the open comb through the end of February and then go back to the closed comb and see how it compares.

Picked up some drug store Old Spice knock-off last week for $2 and decided to mix some in with my witch hazel for a little change of pace. Finished with Nivea balm as usual.

CCS+ results this morning....great way to begin the day.

Have a great FRIDAY everyone!

 

February 19
Edwin Jagger DE89
Feather (2)
PSO, Hot Shower, Nivea Face wash
Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush
Route 66 Barbershop Hop soap
Alum, Nivea balm, Pinuad Clubman
Doc Elliott's beard balm

Great smooth three pass today. Very comfortable with left hand/left side right hand/right side WTG, and reverse for ATG, skin stretching, etc. Won't be long to add a straight into the mix. Barbershop Hop is a great scent. Happy Friday everyone!

 

SOTD
February 19, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Blackland Blackbird
Blade: Voskhod
Lather: WSP Barbershop
Brush: RazoRock Natural Boar 26x64mm
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: WSP Barbershop
Really nice shave, much needed shave. Looking for a nice boar brush? This RR boar is fantastic! Soft from the get go. The BB as expected is automatic smooth. WSP makes good stuff.
@Bama Samurai Welcome home! We missed you
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

 

I'm about to do the same pretty soon. Got rid of the large Country Club.

 

I wonder if Latha originated in the Boston area....(latha=lather). Yuk yuk.

 

Razor: Gillette Red Tip
Blade: Personna Blue (5)
Brush: Old Spice Boar/Mug, Gift Set w/box 1985
Soap: Route 66 Retro Spice
Decanter: Ship's Magic & Whitestar Commemorative-1985
A/S: Old Spice
Been really enjoying this Gillette Red Tip focus. I've been working on many different angles with the Red Tip and I can now make it dance. :hooray: I have stuck with the same brush also, with the exception of today to keep with the Old Spice theme.
Enjoy your Friday and have a great weekend.
"Enjoy life now - It has an expiration date."

 

Nice brush Doug!

 

Thank you, thank you very much.

 

Glad to hear the OC is working for you, they give an excellent shave. Your shaves are getting closer because your technique has improved. Have a great weekend! TGIF