OCtober 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

SOTD October 29, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: Vulfix 2006c badger
Lather: Stirling Barbershop
Post: Witch hazel splash, Fine Platinum aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

This was yesterday's shave. Just getting around to posting. I didn't shave today. This shave was right in line with the other Stirling shaves from this month. Great lather, good scent, nice result. SWMBO picked out the Fine Platinum as the after shave. Terrific scent and nice change-up. One more shave tomorrow with this combination and then I'm back to variety.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

 

That definitely makes you one of the cool kids this month. Very nice!

 

OCtober-een!

October 30

Grand Blade Trials - OCtober shave

Razor - Fatip Piccolo
Blade - (2)
Soap - Tabac
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum

Second of three OCtober shaves to finish the month. The Fatip is a razor I acquired just for this month and it has a permanent place in my rotation. Fantastic razor. It has impressed with every shave and I could see myself making this a go-to razor at some point. I switched the Rapira blade over to it for the shave this evening expecting great things. And, I wasn't disappointed.

Two passes tonight as I decided to make it an easy night, although the second pass could count as at least 1.5. I did some ATG work as well as XTG with that pass and finished with a very nice near-BBS. I called that more than good and enjoyed the entire shave. Tabac was awesome and put a sparkle in SWMBO's eye. She loves, loves, loves her some Tabac, which is why I have the cologne to go with it. She'd be happy if I tossed every other soap, though the Fat is a fav of hers as well.

That leaves one more day in the month and I'm behind getting things started for NOVember. If you don't find the link to it tonight, have no fear...it will be up no later than noon tomorrow at the latest.

My final shave for OCtober will be with the razor shown below. It counts as OC and I just got it Friday. I'll let you put a name to it.

 

So tomorrow I will be getting my RazoRock Plissoft Synthetic Shaving Brush! I am excited to give it a shot!! I will share my thoughts after the first use and then after several uses as I know it's hard to draw any conclusions after one use, typically. I have read great things about it so I have not doubt I will like it!!

 

I could throw some Abby-esque N.C.I.S. computer enhancement at the image to read the lettering. Nah. Too much effort. Does it have a blade installed? I see teeth, but no sharp steel.

 

Shave 19

Tonights shave was a nice and smooth shave. Not as close as my past few. No drama. When I can figure out my neck I think I will be able to get some DFS's.

Tom


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Nope, no blade installed.

 

Next up in the soap run, Arko! Used a Whipped Dog brush and a Rasurpur Western grind kami.

Say what you want about the smell, I like Lemon Pledge, Arko does make some great lather on the cheap. I need work on keeping it runny enough for a straight razor shave. 4 passes and just a tickle from the alum and BBS. A nice way to start the week.

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness A Sharpness A

 

Ok I got caught up faster than I thought tonight. The NOVember Thread is HERE whenever you're ready!

 

It's a guaranteed winner.

 

Day 7 - 31 Oct 2016
Today was my 7th day of my 30 day focus. That doesn't include 2 rest days. This was by far my smoothest shave to date. However it wasn't irritation free.
But after applying the WH, AS and Balm if feels wonderful. My technique is getting there but still need to be conscious of pressure and angle.
Honestly the angle element is the hardest. for the most part I get it right, however on occasional lapses of concentration I mess up.
However those lapses are getting fewer and fewer. Only 1-2 weepers which again were old wounds reopened so may take a break again tomorrow.
Overall a happy camper

Pre Shave: Prorasso + KOS Oil
Brush: Omega Boar
Razor: EJ DE89
Blade: Wilkinson Sword Classic (New)



Post: Gillette Storm Force AS, WH & Gillette Pro 3n1 Balm

​

 

Looks like a Durham Duplex. As I recall, you used the shavette version a couple of times during MayHEM.

Do you need a run to Home Depot for more flooring blades or do you still have some of the Pathology ones?

 

October 31, 2016
Wolfman WR-01 Ti OC with Hempel Ti
Personna 74 (2)
Elite Razor “Tres Amigos” Beehive with Envy White
MdC Fougere
Witch Hazel
Fine Lavender Aftershave
Whipped Shea Butter

​

Ended OCtober with another great shave. Everything just worked well together. Finished with a splash of Fine Lavender and I think I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Monday.

 

SOTD October 31, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: @Jayaruh #60 synthetic
Lather: Stirling Barbershop
Post: Witch hazel splash, Stirling Barbershop aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Final October shave with Stirling Barbershop. It's been a good month of nice shaves. The Schick L1 performed well all month as did the Stirling products. I'm pleased with the shaves I had and thankful that TSD voted on a quality product for me to spend so much time with!

First use of the JR #60 brush this morning. Loved it! Love the craftmanship as well as the performance. Soft synthetic knot that lathered up really well.

Happy Halloween and hope you have a great day!

 

​

My recap and observations from Open Comb October. During the month, I used 4 open comb DE razors. Each of the 4 delivered excellent shave when I did my part. In particular the Timeless OC with 0.95 blade gap and the Wolfman with the increased blade gap, deliver shaves comparable to shaves I get with SE razors. I prefer OC razors to the solid bar DE razors because I find them more efficient. I enjoyed following the posts and shenanigans through the month.

 

Halloween
Monday, OCtober 31, 2016

Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic
Mystic Water Barbershop
Wolfman WR1-OC with Darwin Deluxe Titanium
Personna 74 #25
Barrister and Mann Reserve Cool

​

 

October 31, 2016- Early start to November

Razor: G3 Aristocrat Adjustable (4)
Blade: GSB (1)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: VdH Luxury

I considered the idea of revisiting my OC focus on this last day of the month, but decided to just go ahead and start November's instead.

OCtober began with the combo of a Thick-Cap OT and the Astra SP blade for some very nice shaves. When a GSB didn't seem as friendly to the OT, I switched over to the New LC-based Goodwill 160. This started a series of DFS+ shaves which were usually marred by one or more weepers and at lest one out-and-out nick. Unfortunately, this streak continued even after changing to the German Wilkinson Sword blade. (Cartel members will no doubt tell me that that was my problem, using German steel instead of Russian.) Last week, I decided to put and end to the streak and switched over to an NDC Milord and the Astra SP for a series of pleasant, effortless shaves.

To be fair, I'm sure the issues I had with the Goodwill were largely with my technique. In the past, I did not have this kind of issue with it and, if anything, the OT was more likely to be the one to draw blood. I have been making changes to my technique, though, and I suspect I need to dial them in a bit more before the next time I pick up the Goodwill.

Anyway, that brings us to today. Based on the success I had with the Milord. I've decided that my November focus will be "No Expectations". I plan to get back to a couple of favorite razors and blades and just let things happen without spending a lot of energy worrying about technique or results.

As for today's shave... The Adjustable was set at '4' which is actually one number lower than I have been using. The blade is a standby and one of my favorites. As for the shave- close, smooth, and no irritation or blood. All together, pretty much what I asked for.

 

You, sir, are correct! It is the Durham Duplex, safety razor version. I still have some of the pathology ones so I'm good to go.

 

My last OCtober shave was a disappointment. I spent a lot of time honing this razor on Saturday and did not do a good job. I actually had to finish this shave with a Wade and Butcher I honed the same day. Night and day difference. Back to the hones with this one.
SOTD
Route 66 Rum Runner Soap
B-400 Brush by Tom
Soviet "Dawn" Razor
Lucky Tiger
Ogallala Bay Rum
Have a great week!

 

Good looking lather Brian.