Sorry I have disappeared for a while. Life. Sometimes it happens sometimes you know what happens instead. I plan to use my only open comb, the cadet OC for the month of October. Except tomorrow I receive the Schick adjustable injector in there pass around so I will be using it for a week or so. I do hope to be around more the rest of the month. Especially for the shenanigans!

OCtober Open Comb focus

October 4

Razor: Cadet OC
Blade: GSB
Brush: Maggard 24mm Synthetic
Soap: TSD Iced sub zero
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block


First OC shave in a long time. Really enjoyed it. A nice aggressive razor that you definitely have to take care when using. Paired with the GSB it is an excellent performer. Two passes and I was near BBS. Not a bad start to OCtober.

I've found that stropping is harder for me than the actual shave as well, especially when I take a break from straights for a while.

Howdy
This is going to be my first real concerted 30 day focus. Going to start the long road of learning straight razors.


Tonights shave and the same shave for the next month.

Razors: SR Boker "Pearl" 2 passes (2)
ESF Rapide with a Heljestrand wedge
Brush: B-400 with Omega 10049 Knot
Cream: AoS Lavender
AS: clubman VIBR

I am going to do a month long focus with my straight, and use my Wedge for cleanup

Tonights shave went really well. I did 2 full passes with the SR and got a really good reduction with it. I am working on getting a good reduction on my second pass going ATG. I used my wedge for a full third pass. The results were a very nice DFS shave. Very smooth with the grain. I can feel some slight resistance ATG. I will really know tomorrow as to how good.

As you may or may not know. I am learning how to shave with straights. I plan on at least 30 days on this. Most likely many more, as this is a real challenge. Very exciting by the way.

Tom




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Doug, that's an awesome set up and a beautiful photo! Nice job!

Welcome gentlemen! We're glad to have you aboard!

October 4

Gillette New LC finished in Gun-Kote Bronze by Delta Echo Razor Works
Feather blade (1)
Kent BK4 brush
Tabac shave stick
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Fine Platinum aftershave

Hello everyone.

I enjoyed a relaxing shave this afternoon, although I still have some minor irritation from yesterday's shave. What a difference a day and a new blade makes! I took my time with the warm water prep and a long lather build. No rush, as it was part of the fun. Two passes (WTG face/ATG neck and ATG face/XTG neck), and I'm close to BBS...just in time for a double date with my beautiful Bride, her brother, and his beautiful Bride.

Now that I'm back among enablers, the ADs are returning. Visions of Chubby 2 Best brushes have once again been dancing in my head. And for the record, I said visions, not voices!

I hope your Tuesday was a good one!

Welcome Tom! Plenty of straight shavers around should you have questions. Lots of encouragement from the Dark Side.
Have a cookie!

Great idea for a focus. Have fun Tom.

Welcome to the 30DC! How many lifetime shaves is this now? I know you've been at it for a bit. The guys here really helped me learn, and I am sure you'll get up to speed in no time!

4 OCtober 2016





Fatip Grande
GSB
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Arko!!!
Alum
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

This razor is going to be the only three-piece I retain in inventory. Love the aggression and the way GSB mows it down in this razor head. Not much else to say other than automatic. Long day awaits tomorrow, we are winterizing some stuff and the weather is coming. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
​

Welcome back!

OCtober Roots / Radical

VDH Deluxe & VDH boar
B-V3.1 OC/SE & Chick blade
Alum, The Veg


Back to that early soap, bowl, and brush. Off into the future with a Prototype razor.
One day these blue and green bowls will be iconic. Not like an Old Spice mug and Flare Tip. I'm thinking Weishi / Micro Touch One/ Dorco / VDH 2nd wave razor iconic.
Been quite a while since I considered using VDH Deluxe soap. Slick enough, doesn't dissipate, even feels OK when I rinse. It's not bad, just not that good. Can't think I'll ever finish the puck, but the brush gives up a dozen bristles every time I even glance it's way. Maybe it's afraid of The Bunny? I haven't moved off the MILD comb and I'm getting very close reduction. Unless I find another OC to rate good enough I've got a one razor rotation this month.
Oh, and The Veg!

Welcome aboard, Tom. These guys helped me a ton with straights. I am looking forward to following your journey!

I like how easily you can whittle down your collection! I have such a hard time figuring out which to let go and which to keep.

Hello TSD

Shave #3 of my October focus:




- Mystic Water "Almond Vanilla"
- Maggard Synthetic
- Feather Artist Club SS
- Feather Professional (#3)
- Tüff sensitiv Rasierwasser


I changed 3 things today: I used a little more water with the soap, I performed only one pass WTG and I shaved my upper lip - which I rarely do, because that area of my face is quite sensitive and prone to develop redness, spots and razor burn. I already recognized that the Feather (if handled correctly) is an incredibly smooth razor ... so I wanted to put that to a test. AND I thought it might be fun to switch from a Circle Beard to a Goatee

My former straight razor shaves gave me the impression that a thinner lather boost the smoothness just a little more, so I tried that as well today. Not as thin as in "runny", but with just a little added wetness. And I think it worked just fine.

The Feather is not only smooth, but incredibly efficient. Short strokes, kept an eye on the angle at all times and used special caution while shaving the area under my nose. No problem here at all. That one pass gave me a perfectly good DFS result. Incredible. No nicks, no weepers, no Aftershave burn - love that

Oh - and this Mystic Water soap smells fantastic. Nice, nutty almond scent, a hint of sweetness from the vanilla, but not that excessive artificial sweetness you'll find especially in these italian soaps. And my wife loves it

Have a great day everyone!

Thanks guys. I am looking forward to this new adventure.

Tom


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October 5 SOTD:

TSD Lanolin Barber Shoppe
Gillette Rocket
Stirling Unscented PSB
TSD Floid Blue Type AS

It was a locker room shave (and photo) this morning, which started with the realization that I had forgotten to pack my brush. I used my hands to work up the TSD soap into a lather, so it wasn't ideal. It was slick, but not volume. Even with this lather, the Rocket was smooth. I didn't push it too much, so I would call this a SAS, but I am happy with that. I love the Floid Blue Type AS scent, it makes me wish I had picked some of the real Floid Blue up when it was available.

On a side note, today marks 2 years since I joined the forum and started my traditional wet shaving journey. It sure has been fun, although I haven't saved as much money as I told my wife I would. I definitely appreciate all the help, support, and good times everyone on this forum, and this thread in particular, have provided. I hope everyone has a great day!

Great photo. Way to forge through with less than a ideal setup. Congrats on the 2 years.

SOTD October 5, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Stirling Barbershop
Post: Witch hazel splash, Stirling Barbershop aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Nice shave this morning. The L1 injector continues to provide a mild shaving experience. That's fine for me on workdays as my daily growth isn't too heavy. The Barbershop products of Stirling are really nice. No complaints here!

Have a great day!