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

Evahs
GSB(3)
Cremo
WD 20mm Synthetic
Pinaud Special Reserve

I did a quick one pass to clean up after last night's misfortune. I ended up not shaking out the brush enough and getting too much water in the lather. it was thin and drippy but slick enough to spare so I used it. XTG to even everything out. I decided to try the Special Reserve and I'm not sure I like the heavy cedar smell. I'm giving it a chance to wear but I'm not thrilled yet. I may skip tomorrow completely to let my skin heal. I feel a little raw under the jaw from last night still and the Pinaud burnt like fire.

 

Rinse the blade with hot water before you dry it post shave. It will warm the steel and help it dry out completely.

 

March 10, 2016
The month of March with my two Schick E razors.

Skipped my shave yesterday because my shave with the E2 the day before was that good. First time I’ve skipped a weekday shave!

So onto the Canadian Schick E

Hot Shower
Razor: Schick E (Canada)
Blade: Schick (China) (1)
Soap: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle (Thanks @Douglas Carey )
Brush: Rubberset 400-4
TSD Witch Hazel
Myrsol Plastic Shave



Two-pass shave - XTG, ATG

Almost the same routine as the E2 - just pay attention to angle, pressure, and each stroke and this razor delivers. feedback seemed slightly louder than the E2 as well as a bit less of a bite on my chin. Nine hours later and Im still sooooo smooth.

I’m liking these E types.

btw - if you haven't tried Route 66 yet - you might consider trying some. First and most important to me - the lather can be nice and slick, providing all you need for a comfortable shave. But, if you're disappointed that your favorite soap scents don't last very long - if all R66 soaps are like this one (Bourbon Jungle) the scent will stay with you all day. I personally detest overwhelming scents , but this one is just there in the background, still, 9 hours later. (ymmv, but I'm thinking I may have to try other scents from this brand...after NB '16 of course!)

Cheers!
RT

 

@Rufus T. Is that an original knot in your Rubberset 400? It looks very tall!

 

3/10/16
Gillette Birth Quarter Tech
(Y3)
Feather (1)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



This morning I had the first of 3 planned shaves with a Feather in my Birth Quarter Tech. Typical 2 passes with good reduction. A nice smooth shave, but I didn't quite get the BBS I would have liked. The Clubman stung a small amount on the neck, but settled down quickly.

I hope everyone had a nice Thursday.

 

Thursday Shave

Cold water
Pso-Homemade mint oil
Razor-Gillette Flair Tip SS
Blade- Gillette Sharp Edge (3)
Brush- RazoRock Plissoft
Soap- Kiss My Face Mint
Thayers Witch Hazel
ASB-Nivea Sensitive

Identical shave to yesterday. I'm really liking this Kiss my Face, it creates a ton of lather with just one pump and I love the mint scent. The RazoRock Plissoft feels great on my face. The Flair Tip worked great. I did 3 passes today, WTG, XTG and ATG. The Gillette Sharp Edge left me with a DFS but it just isn't comfortable. No real irritation, it just seems to be rougher than a Feather. I'm going to try a Rapira for my next shave.
As for the focus this month I did another round of bowl lather. I get an insane amount of lather using this method, my mug is just about an inch too tall where I have to grab the brush by the end but it's doable. I'll try my other "new" bowl next shave as its a little shorter. Have a great evening folks.

 

It sounds like you are making great progress. My favorite blade in a Flare Tip is a Feather. Have fun finding yours.

 

Ah, keen observation.
That's the condition I found it in. I liked the brush and patina of the handle just as I found it. But I sent it to Brushmeister and Rubberset 400 reconditioner @clint64 who had the same opinion and didn't need to convince me much to leave it as is.

Since I got it back in January I've been using it almost exclusively. It has some scritch to it but a soft enough face-feel for my mug and the bristles absolutely suck in the water. So when I face lather I hardly have to add water to a basin-soaked brush. I just shake off the excess and off I go.

 

March into Artist Club Blades

March 10

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (3)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold Rinse, Alum, Nivea Original Balm, The Veg

Well I have to say, this blade is pretty amazing so far. Three days without a major injury. Only the first two nicks on the first day and that was due more to my adjusting to the sharper blade than the blade being harsh. Today was another amazingly smooth shave with the blade and again highly effective. Still not a bad pass in three days. I did do a full three passes and suffered a bit of extra irritation for my trouble. Seems like I can't avoid it totally with three passes though it is less than day one. The key seems to be keeping pressure OFF of the blade.

Finished with DFS and threw on the Veg to make it a profitable day!

 

ShaveSecret PS oil & J.B. Supreme Cream
Omega Pro #98 & 5" Suribachi bowl
Simmons 6/8 The King & Lucky Tiger AS

One day I'll forget to use Shave Secret, that will tell me if it's doing any good. It may contribute to post shave moisture as I haven't felt any soaps have caused dryness. Jack Black cream is OK, but I really couldn't whip up a lather and it clung to my blade. I think I prefer Cremo. Can't complain about the straight as it gives smooth irritation free service. Soon after these were made, they started calling them " Keen Kutters". Loosing the DE cleanup has caused me to rely on getting all my shave from the straight. I'm enjoying the improvement! No noise from the alum. Lucky Tiger AS &Face Tonic has little or no alcohol. I like a little bite from my AS. Another product I won't do again.
Good Shaves Ya'll!

 

I left the original knot in mine as well and like it a lot. It's one of my favorites.

 

I've been entranced by that model. Especially with the tall loft original knots. I don't like the ebay prices for the 400's. One day I'll find one in the wild for the right price. I'm currently rotating a couple Omega boars, my original newbie VDH boar, and A Vulfix badger (Thnx @BigCabDaddy , how's that G-Slim?).

 

When is Ivan coming out?

 

I've got that sucker locked down at the moment. I say that quietly though, lest I jinx the whole thing!

 

24h DFS? Rubberset? Super Aggressive E's?

Looks like this shaving thing has worked out! Glad you're back in the mix!

 

Love the new tagline!

 

I've been quiet because I am still looking forward to the ides... But I've been impressed with the blade work! Tomorrow is a Veg day!

 

March 2016 Focus--Gillette Tech

March 10

Razor: Gillette Tech
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Tabac
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block, Fine Fresh Vetiver


I shaved on the ninth but there was really nothing to report. It was basically the same shave I have been having. I used my Maggard brush with some Proraso red and ended the shave with a near BBS effort.

Thursday I decided to go back to my Stirling Kong brush and used the Tabac with it. Everything about the shave seemed exactly the same as the near BBS shaves. Except the finish. Finally hit a BBS with the Tech and GSB. Took a while but I found it. It really is about finding that perfect sweet spot, but with the Tech it really just glides so mildly and efficiently that I think I was trying too hard. Just let it come, that was my lesson today. Either that or use the Stirling Kong since it was the only other difference.

Tomorrow I move on to the Ladas blade. Probably going the wrong way with blades because it is not quite as sharp as the GSB and I probably need the sharp blade in the mild razor. We will see how it goes before switching to the Bolzano and maybe ending the month with the BIC and the feather.

 

Reference your last paragraph about sharpness.

Congrats on mastering the Tech!

 

Day 71 - 90 Day Intro to SR
10 March 2016



Frederick Reynolds 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
TSD ISZ AS Splash
Pinaud Clubman
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Caught it!

Have a Superb Friday!
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