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

I had forgotten that eucalyptus was the primary note in Noxzema. Seems like a natural match for Proraso Green. Will need to investigate...

 

I used it as a pre-shave face wash with a full rinse leaving my face clean and wet. Then proceeded to face lather as normal.

 

It's a beautiful match...I always thoroughly enjoy using them together. Your face will thank you.

 

I don't think so, it's very nice! I like it a bunch, but I love my mongoose and blackbird and even a lot of my Gillette's. It's just a nice razor to have in my den.

 

Thank you! I also love that I've been Chosen

 

Sleek.

 

Injector Focus
SOTD
Irisch Moos soap
AoS Pure Badger brush
Bunny V3 with Notso comb
Chick blade (2)
Pinaud Special Reserve AS
Have a blessed Sunday

My review of the Bunny is here:
http://theshaveden.com/forums/threads/home-made-injector.48902/page-64#post-1022036

 

Aha! Thank you

 

This 30-day focus has been one of the best things I've done since I started wet shaving. I'm 20 days into the focus and things couldn't be better for me. I've become so much more comfortable using my razor. I hope I can become this comfortable using the other razors in my collection and others I acquire in the future.

 

March into Artist Club Blades

March 20

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (6)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold water, Alum, Nivea, The Veg

Happy First Day of Spring!! Woke up this morning, found the coffee, looked out the patio door and said hello to a typical STL first day of Spring. Everything was nice and snow covered with snow still coming down. By noon, though, it was just wet and cloudy out so we know the season is changing.

Day six on the Feather Pro and the last day for the blade as well. Another fine shave without any difficulties but a bit hot on the alum. The Pro tends to create irritation if I don't really watch the angle and pressure so I'm used to it. Two passes to a near BBS and off to work for the afternoon. I'm happy to say that in three weeks of pain stick I've only had a couple of fairly minor issues. Clearly my technique with the razor is improving all the time.

As for the blade comparison so far I think it's safe to say that the Kai Mild, Kai Captain Original and Feather Pro are all worthy of being everyday blades for a pain stick. The main difference between the Captain Original and Feather Pro is just that extra sharpness the Feather brings to the table that makes it easier to draw blood, though I didn't have much problem with it this time. Also, the irritation is increased from the Original. That feeling of "shaving on the edge" of disaster can creep in too with the Pro, but focus and technique keep it well under control. Honestly, for my tastes, I think one of the Kai's would be best suited if I went to this razor as my everyday shave. I like the fact that the mild is as forgiving as it is, allowing me to make some stupid mistakes without paying the ultimate penalty. On the other hand I fear that could lead to a bit of laziness on technique so I would probably choose the Captain Original as my choice of everyday shaves. Gets me past that laziness but keeps me just shy of constant irritation. I still have the Feather Super Pro to try but that will be delayed a bit. Tomorrow it's the Dorco AC blade as requested and made possible by @Keithmax. He's the reason I even started down the pain stick road with the PIF of the CJB last year so how can I refuse his request to put my face and neck on the line for shaving science? And as always, what's the worst that can happen? Besides, Monday is a day off for me so the stitches can start healing before I have to go to work.

Hope you all had a great first day of the new season!

​

 

Korea tries to be number 1 in as many fields as possible, so the Mr and Mrs Kim are ready for the challenge with Ivan.

Remember Soju, CJB shavettes and Dorko blades come from Korea. Pic 1 is an export, a Korean business man in Tokyo.

 

I use prior to my shower so it has time to soak in. I have used it like a pre-shave oil in past but found it too thick.

 

Looks like a lot of prime candidates for cartel crew.

 

On the chopping block today is Merkur slant, 34C. I have not used this razor in a long time so it is time to see if it stays or goes. I loaded with a Gillette Silver Blue and whipped up lather using AoS Tallow soap and AoS cream.

Now I remember why I have not used this razor, it felt a little rough. Still I went through 4 passes with just a small weeper. I thought I nailed the BBS but I fell just short. The alum block revealed a little bit of stinging. The razor will get one more shot, tomorrow I will shave with a SR and then compare it to the slant.

Irritation A- Closeness B+ Smoothness B Keenness A-

Definitely staying:
Genco Easy Aces SR, hard to let go of cool looking, great shaving piece of vintage American steel just because it is smaller than I like. It is also my only vintage American SR.

Leaning toward staying:
Wade and Butcher will stay in the SR stable until a much nicer specimen can be sourced.

Leaning toward releasing:
Jerry Stark 5/8 SR. Looks great, shaves great just to small a blade. I would prefer to sell this and trade up for a larger blade

Will be released:
Sight unseen Whipped Dog SR. This shaves great but I want to PIF it to someone who wants to get started with SR.
Merkur Vision - despite major coolness she can't compete with an aggressive Futur.
BBS-1 - Give my move to the dark side it is just not aggressive enough to remain in my DE stable. (sold)
Mongoose

Sorry it is no pic Monday.

 

Here is our 'application fee' to the cartel.

But the delivery maybe a little delayed. It seems our deliveryman decided to do some QC:

 

This calls for some Flair.

 

I'd be scared to go out drinking with salarymen in Tokyo. Ouch.

 

@NCoxSTL

Everything looks up to par here.

 

That was fantastic!

 

Ric is the best there is, the best there was, and the best that there ever will be.

Woooooooooo!