April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

I shaved my head earlier today, I was able to get a nice DFS with 4 passes, the key is a nice slick soap, and TFS Sottozerro is that.
I'm hoping the Fine slant will become my head shaving razor, my Fine Tabac like soap shipped!!

 

I read the motherland received a light snow storm yesterday, it might be the hold up?

 

Yeah, shouldn't delay things too long. Looks like a mild late spring storm.

 

Kerry, i picked up a pack of Schick XTreme 3 razors from WallyWorld a couple days ago to try them on my head. They're great! They flex to fit the curvature of your head and shave close!

 

Angle of Attack Arko April Focus

Using an UberLather I found quite pleasant, Arko and Cremo scents complement each other when whipped up with the old VDH boar to give a citrus slick thick shave. I forgot to use preshave oil, but credit the bit of tugging to 4th or 5th use of the blade. AoA with SE being different than a DE could also play into just shy of a DFS. Alum sung out, especially on my neck where I keep trying to get a Schick to do the Gillette Slide. Swipe on Cremo moisturizer and everything cooled down. Finished with a smokey hand full of Pinaud's Special Reserve.

 

4/4/16

Gillette Birth Quarter Tech (Y3)
Rapira Super Stainless (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Another morning shave. This time with Proraso cream, which provided a smooth, slick lather with plenty of protection. Typical 2 passes and a medium amount of touch up left me near BBS. A very comfortable and long lasting near BBS. And the Clubman was mild again today too!


I hope everyone had a nice Monday.

 

Sounds like your doing well! It's simply a matter of practice and experience. It gets better soon!

 

Derby really benefits from an aggressive razor. They are very smooth, and today was actually one of the better DE shaves I've ever had. Honestly, they're not nearly sharp enough for a mild design like a Tech or an SS or even an 89. So my final answer is...I like them in aggressive razors.

 

I am interested in how that light Slant will work out for head shaving.

 

I agree. Derbys work wonders in my Futur, R41. and New LC.

 

Arko April!!!
30 Day Rule Edition
Day 4 of 30





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Ostensibly this first blade is a test to see how long a Derby lasts in Fatip. So far, so good! Put it all together today, did the SR skin stretch thing as was able to catch a two pass BBS with only some mustache touchup. Today's focus was on precise strokes, and maintaining a shallow 20deg angle at all times. Alum was nearly cool, and the Veg softly thanked me for being chosen. Busy work day, 13 hours worth, all of it on my feet. 72f and sunny, lots more to do! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Derby (4)
Fatip Grande
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Arko!!!
Alum
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

Have a terrific Tuesday!
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I have to check if there's a Derby blade left in my stack - maybe I should give them one more chance in my R41 someday

 

Seems like you had a better day this morning! You're gonna have some ups and downs to go, but today is the right approach. Just focus on shaving well, rather than on achieving any particular result. Nice work!

 

I had a very good day this morning. I am really enjoying it and am actually thinking about PIFing my DE's as I can already tell this is how I want to shave. It's just becoming proficient with it. The best thing I am doing so far is just like you said, focusing on shaving well instead of shooting for BBS each shave. Skipping the Straight tomorrow as I want to freeze my face off with the Glacials and I don't trust my Str8 skills yet for intense menthol shaves however I may just risk it as I am having a lot of fun with the knife.

 

I wouldn't go THAT far myself But straight razor shaving has cured my RAD - I won't buy any more DEs soon ... well ... except ... maybe ... the Blackland Blackbird someday.

And congratulations on a successful and pleasant shave It really IS a lot of fun when it works properly.

 

Well maybe keep the Futur and New. But I want to make room for more Straights.

Thanks! I am having a ton of fun and not slashing my face up 2 days in a row is making it more enjoyable.

 

Staying away from the heavy menthol is a good idea while learning to shave with a SR. You need a warning system to stop you before doing big damage, a straight will usual give a warning first but if your face is frozen you will not feel the warning.

One of the reasons I love straight shaving is that the shave is 100% customizable. You can change the edge by how you hone it, you can make it super aggressive or mild depending upon the angle, etc.. You will develop a sense of how agressive your angle is by the feel of the edge on your face, if you use to much menthol you can't judge the aggressiveness.

Your are making great progress, the dark side can excercise a steps pull.

 

If you don't have one I'll gladly send a few your way

 

Straights Focus April 5:

VDH Boar Brush
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Henry Sears and Son Queen 3/4
Stirling Unscented PSB
Captain's Choice Bay Rum

A quick one pass for a SAS this morning. I had the Fat dialed in, so it was nice and slick. The razor just smoothly wiped away the whiskers, and the CC put on the finishing touch. A great start to my Tuesday, and I hope everyone has the same.