March '16 - 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion Thread

Out of curiosity I loaded a GSB in the Evahs today.

Evahs razor
GSB(1)
WD 20mm synthetic
VDH Luxury
Gambel's Bay Rum

I was going to try Prairie Creations soap today but after a 30 sec load I couldn't get enough soap to cover me for one pass so I stuck it back in the cabinet for another day and pulled out the VDH. I have only used the VDH once and I liked it then so now I fed it to me WD synthetic. A few swirls and I was loaded. I thought I was going to have problems getting the water right but after 5 or 6 adds(I dip my brush in a dish of warm water) The soap exploded into a creamy mass of lather. No problems there.

I loaded a GSB because I remember the Astra SPs being subpar in my milder razors and the Evahs is proving to be mild and easy to use. I started on my neck with a S/N pass that ended at my jawline. On my neck this is mostly XTG but on the left side it is ATG for a full 1/4 of that side. The GSB loaded Evahs slid over all of it with ease and amazing reduction. I finished the pass with an ATG from the ears to the center, rinsed, checked, and found a solid DFS.

I relathered and started on the neck again going N/S with some G-slide. On my neck this is mostly XTG but on the right side I have a place that is ATG near the center and again the razor flew over it with never a grab one. I finished the pass ATG mostly S/N for the rest of my face, rinsed, checked, fasterbated, had my fiancee check, and gave it a BBS. I splashed on the Gambels with no sting except on my one weeper at the corner of my mouth which I always get on day one with a GSB.

I'm not a fan of Bay Rum but when SWMBO sniffed it she said it smelled like a Chai Latte and she would want to eat me up if I wore it. I still don't like it but its getting me lots of extra attention. I guess I should get a bigger bottle some time just to wear for her. ''Happy Wife Happy Life.'' I guess it still works if you aren't married.

 

Ah, that makes sense. I thought of the Baseball Pattern, but was puzzled by the other two letters and decided to ask. I stand enlightened. Thank you Ducky!

 

Straights Focus March 8:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Mitchell's Wool Fat
W&B Congress Razor
Stirling Unscented PSB
Skin Bracer

After skipping yesterday, I was back at it this morning. The Wool Fat and Stirling brush produced a nice, slick lather to the perfect consistency. This razor just mowed through my growth, with the big heavy blade doing all the work. I got one pass complete, and found a little patch on my Adam's Apple that needed a little touch up, and then finished with some Skin Bracer. A nice CCS this morning. Have a great Tuesday!

 

SOTD March 8, 2016
March focus shave 7

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Voshkod (1)
Razor: Maggard MR1 with V2 open comb
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Soap Commander Vision
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Old Spice knock-off, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up



Pretty smooth shave this morning. I am going to use the Soap Commander Vision sample until it dissipates but it's going strong! I've gotten a good many shaves from that small sample. I'm hoping to use it up and move on to a sample of Endurance.

My lather was a little thin to begin with but with more face lathering I brought it up to a passable level. Soap Commander is nice and cushiony with lots of protection and slickness. They seem to be really top-notch products.

First shave with a Voshkod blade and I was pleased (cue the smiles from @NCoxSTL). No issues or complaints. They seemed smooth and sharp. Thanks to @John Beeman for throwing in a tuck on a PIF he sent my way. The open comb razor performed well again. I enjoy the open comb experience and enjoyed the Injector experience that past three shaves.

Hope you all have a great Tuesday!

 

03/08/2016
Wolfman OC with Triad Ti
Feather (1)
Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
MdC Fougere
Witch Hazel
Fine L’Orange
Whipped Shea Butter


​

Since it has been a while since I used MdC, I had forgotten how much I enjoy the soap. The fougere scent is great on a spring morning and as usual MdC was very easy to lather. Since the soap is so easy to lather, it is easy to under hydrate the soap as you lather. When done properly the lather is rich and slick. I love the fresh clean feeling after the final rinse. Going with a two pass, XTG & ATG, followed by touch ups along my chin and jaw line, ended with a near prefect shave. I finished up with a splash of Fine L'Orange. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

3/8/16

My dad uses Old Spice. His dad used Old Spice. I use Old Spice. Today, this mid 90's bottle to cologne gave up its last splash. I purchased this somewhere around 1994 and only occasionally used it during the last 20 years of my cartridge and electric shaving days. I refilled the bottle with some Old Spice aftershave - it was about half empty - in 2014 and it has been a real regular with me. I'll keep the bottle and refill it with Avon Spicy sometime.

On to the focus. Today was shave #2 with a Feather. Yesterday was not smooth and gave a couple of weepers. Today was smoother and 1 weeper low down on my neck. The blade, however, is loud. It sounds like I can hear each individual whisker being cut and is almost a crackling sound. The results are good, but not great. I'll give the Feather one more day and then move on. I guess it came from a different kind of bird or something.

 

March 8 - Straight Shave 9
Henckels Twin Works #50
PSO, hot shower
JR #40 Brush
Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barber Soap & AS
Alum, Nivea balm

A nice shave today, DFS... A couple very slight nics, didn't even bleed, I just feel them. My JR #40 debuts today, what a beautiful brush! Very nice knot too. It lathered up very well, using @Norcalnewb Baseball Pattern. Alum complained a little, in my problem areas, but I am working on it. Getting better at the straight every time. Have a great day all!

 

Check out Italian Barber aka RazoRock, they offer build your own kit. On the front page of their website.

 

Very nice Douglas. Very nice

 

Never go to bed mad at each other.

 

SOTD
March 8, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Gillette FH Tech 1932 Made in Canada
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: Dusy Kabinnett
Brush: Vie-Long horse 12705
Post: Thayers Rose Petal WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Folsom & Co. Shambala
Beautiful shave. Dusy Kabinnett is fabulous. The Gillette FH Tech is awesome! Back before I knew what I was doing I couldn't stand a mild razor let alone a Tech. Man. TTT!
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

 

@Norcalnewb Baseball Shaving Pattern.

 

Good Tip. These packages are a good way to grab all the essentials at once.

 

I am not working this morning. Waiting to go to Dentist at 10. No biggie though, they will just be permanently placing a crown they made two weeks ago. My shave last night was super close, and I'm planning on using the same setup as yesterday. Good to see everybody up and at it bright and early! Hope everyone lives their Tuesday to the fullest!

 

The mild Tech is proof positive of good technique!!

 

Injector Focus
Another great shave today. The E-4 is a consistently good shaver. I think it's time to switch to a different model tomorrow as this is getting boring
SOTD
Route 66 Retro Spice
Vie-Long horsehair brush
Schick E-4
Chick blade (4)
Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Florida Water
Have fun!

 

"I'm sorry" is also important. It has calmed many a rough situation in my 16 years of marriage.

 

I go to my Dentist Thursday, same time as yours. I hope the big Boxer will be there, prancing around. He's there to make it more comfortable for kids....like me Seriously, it's a great idea to have a dog in there to help calm kids down.

 

I just bought Chiseled Face's Sherlock and Midnight Stag. How do you like the GT Barber? I think I'll go for that one next.

 

I will definitely get a full size ghost town barber. Like the scent a lot, my favorite of the sample pack. Summer storm, trade winds and sherlock all close second. If i had to pick a second, summer storm just because its a little unique. Don't care for midnight stag much.