April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

SOTD April 15, 2016
Russian blades focus

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Rapira Platinum Lux (2)
Razor: Maggard MR1 handle with V2 open comb
Brush: Trader Joes synthetic
Lather: Country Club Cahaba Blues
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Fine American Blend, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG



Light beard growth due to a great shave yesterday. I went with a single WTG pass with no touch-up. There's a little stubble left but it's not a big deal for me today. I'll probably take a little more time tomorrow and do a couple of passes.

The Rapira blade is working quite well with the Maggard razor. The Cahaba Blues soap is fantastic as always. All in all a nice shave.

Hope you all had a great Friday!

 

Soap Focus
I'm liking the Route 66 Cavendish. It's right behind the Sweeney Todd as far a scent. All of the Route 66 soaps have been wonderful performers.
I decided to do a straight shave today and pulled out my favorite straight. I got a really nice one pass DFS today with minimal blood. I did nick my left cheek and am not sure what I did wrong. I think I dug the tip in. I still struggle with shaving around the creases in my neck. I did a cleanup in the area with my Hoffritz slant.
I think my May straight razor focus will be a big help and look forward to it.
Route 66 Cavendish
Doug Korn Synthetic brush
Otto Deutsch Hans
Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Ogalla Bay Rum AS
Happy Friday!

 

SOTD
April 15, 2016

La Savonniere Du Moulin
Romera Buffalo Horn Manchurian
Barbaros TR-1 #A041 Triad Helix Hex Ti
Feather #3
Witch Hazel, Whipped Shea Butter, B&M Night Moves

Maiden voyage for the Barbaros Razor. Two passes + clean up with near BBS results. The donkey milk soap is a top performer with a pleasant scent and great skin care. The Barbarros is a mild and comfortable shaver, that left some stubble after two passes requiring longer than usual clean up. Finished with Barrister and Mann Night Moves.
TGIF!!! Have a fabulous Friday and maybe a wacky weekend too.

 

Awesome bowl, Mark!

 

Thanks Robert!

 

Kudos!

 

Is that spoke point muted at all? I bet that's what got you.

 

Excellent picture,beautiful brush.

 

Arko April!!!

15 April 2016



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Another automatic two pass DFS courtesy of Derby and the lemon-scented Turkish gift from heaven! Long day preparing for the storm to come. Looking like snowed in for the NBA playoffs is the plan this weekend. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Fatip Grande
Derby Extra (1)
Arko!!
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Alum
TSD ISZ AS Splash
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

Have a great weekend!

​

 

Did you change out the Derby or is it the same one?

 

My omission, oops! It's day one. It was getting tuggy by day ten.

 

Saturday Fool's Pass with Dovo Master's

The weekends are great because I can take allot of time and shave later than normal. That means more beard growth plus taking my time for a leisurely straight shave resulting is a good shave.

I did a super lather with AoS tallow plus Cade cream and very slick and cushiony. The blade felt very smooth today so I knew I would try for an epic shave. Four passes and touch ups and big time BBS. The alum test and just a faint tickle. So just missed epic rating but still excellent plus.

I am getting very comfortable with the Fool's Pass so I just need to be sure I do not become over confident.

Irritation A Closeness A+ Smoothness A+ Keenness A

 

Please don't get over confident. I think anyone would look funny without a nose.

 

I'm behind on my posts and reading for the thread. Started a new job on Wednesday with the same company. Have to stand up 12 new locations in the next three weeks, and will have 600 direct reports. Been a little stressed and working long days.

Yesterday's Shave wasn't bad, but I cut myself thee times, and I still have cuts from the last few shaves too. Going to be traveling starting Sunday and be a playing the part of a nicely nicely dressed corporate gentleman. Need to avoid anymore cuts for now. Going to take my Tech/ New Short Comb Frankenstein razor with the heavy handle.

 

You are so right about even a few hours growth making a big difference!

 

Safe travels! Good luck with the new gig!

 

ArkoApril in Russia!

April 15


Razor - 1959 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (1)
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Arko
Post - Cold water rinse, Alum, The Veg

After three surprisingly good shaves from the Dorco 301 it's time to dive back into the Russian pool. For the record, I had intended to finish with three of the St. Petersburg blades, the 7 o'clock Yellow, Sputnik, and Gillette Silver Blue. I'll skip the Sputnik since I took a time out to review the Dorco.

Now, on to this morning's shave. Back to the Gillette Super Speed and still Arko for the soap of course. Went to the Wolf Whiskers for the lather and it was as awesome as always. The blade of the day is the Rapira Super Stainless....er....Chrome. The blade itself is stamped Super Stainless and the tuck says Super Stainless...but also says Chrome on the edge. The reason for mentioning this is because the "other" super stainless is in the pin, blue and white wrapper/tuck. And, it leads the pack so far this month in performance. Neither that one nor this one is listed on the current website for Mostochlegmash so, going on prior information and data, the difference is that this blade does include chrome in the coating, whereas the pink wrapper is stainless only. Or both may also include teflon as well. Clear, right?

First pass was quite comfortable and smooth. And, a nice finish to it. Second pass XTG and I'm getting nice audible feedback on both passes, and a really good near BBS on the second pass. I went ahead and started the chase and after a third pass ATG and neck slides the baby was in the room. Impressive. Even now, after the entire day, I'm still smoother than I was with the Dorco and also the Swedish Supersteel. Very nice first shave with this Rapira. I'm looking forward to giving it another two days to see if it lasts. So far I've had two BBS's from the Sharp Star and Platinum Lux, three BBS from the Rapira Super Stainless, and one from the Swedish. This blade seems destined to vie for the top spot, at least based on today.

Shocking update on the flaming idiots loyal minions currently still trying to find the border in Russian. After the shocking problems in the Chelyabinsk electrical substation, as documented by @DDuckyMark , they were detained by the authorities. So now, a million carrots to pay off the bunny mafia, the cost of repairs to the substation and now I'm trying to raise bail. They seem to be holding up ok so far. Too good, perhaps. I just hope Ivan didn't really bite the guy in the back as it looks like he was about to do. As to what's really going on there? I'm pretty sure I don't want to know.

​

 

Here's what I went with today. DFS and no nicks... 40 mins to shave again. Also had a check up with my DR this morning and here's what happened:

Another check up with my DR today. My right hand is healing surprisingly well he said. 2 more days and I can start leaving the bandages off through out the day and will only need to wrap up at night for 4-6 more days. He also said he doesn't think I will suffer too much feeling lose as when he started fiddling around the burn I politely let him know that it hurt... The burns on my lower arm have healed up pretty well as they don't hurt so much anymore but then again I only got splatter on that area whereas the right hand took 95% of the burn. Only downfall is he said my BP is still a little high. Oh and of course what DR's appointment would be complete without the whole "You need to quit smoking" speech.. I've cut down from 2 packs a day to less then half a pack a day but I guess he doesn't want slow and steady progress he wants me to quit cold turkey. Sounds like that will help my blood pressure doc.

If all goes well he said I can go back to work with restrictions on the 25th. WOOHOO!!!!!!!!

 

Great news! Mostly for your hand but also on the shave! Sounds like you have things well under control there.

 

"Say hello to my little unmuted friend!"