NOVember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Be glad it's underexposed.

 

NOVember!!

November 28

Grand Blade Trial

Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (9)
Blade - (3)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Semogue 620
Post - Alum, Nivea Original and just a touch of Styptic

Final shave on the Superinox and I have high hopes! Really nice shave at 2, beyond nice at 6, so as long as it doesn't get harsh at 9 it should be fantastic. The Semogue did its usual quick lather and made me think again that I need to look at another Semogue. Something to think about. Not sure which one to get.....open for suggestions.

First pass was incredibly smooth and I could feel a huge difference before and after the pass. This thing wide open is super efficient. Second pass, XTG and as I finished the right side I saw the blood. Two tiny little cuts right on the jawbone near my eye. That confirms my suspicion about this blade. It is SHARP. I didn't feel anything and they are so small and precise it proves out the sharpness. Clearly just a result of that extra gap and exposure not being respected. Other than that, a great second pass that required only touch ups to find near-BBS.

This blade gets a definite "A". And, like the Feather, I'd suggest it for a less aggressive razor than the wide open Slim. I'm thinking Aristocrat, Super Speed, EJ 89....something like that. With those razors I would expect this blade to perform flawlessly.

Two days left in NOVember. What?!?!?! Already?!?!?! Yep. And, I'm wanting to take a break from the Trial and have some fun for December. December features my original day on TSD and I plan a special shave for that day in particular. But, I'm also working on an idea for the rest of the month as kind of Holiday gift for everyone. Between now and December 1st, for my final two shaves of the month I offer two days with the Swan. What, you say is a Swan? I'll leave you with a picture. Blade to be determined.

 

Looks fun. I vote Tiger or Eagle. Be a go-getter like that!

 

I'm in the same boat as you. I try to get 7 shaves per blade, but if along the way it doesn't feel right I change the blade.

 

November 29, 2016
Wolfman WR-01 Ti OC with Hempel Ti
Feather
CH2 Synthetic Jade LE “Tres Amigos Dos”
Route 66 Rum Runner
Witch Hazel

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Another very good 3 pass near BBS shave this morning. I will note that as I get deeper into the puck of Rum Runner the scent is rounding out and the sandalwood and birch wood scents are moving more to the foreground. I am enjoying the soap even more as a result. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

Gillette Tech 38-41 US, Bulldog Handle
Polsilver Super Iridium (3)
Semogue BC Mistura
Soap Commander Love
Alum

I was close to stopping after one pass, but with a brush full of lather I did a second. Very nice near BBS shave. Enjoy your day.

 

November 29 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
MWF
Gem Junior Bar
Stirling Unscented PSB
Barbasol Pacific Rush AS

 

Very cool looking razor.

 

For those who want a preview, though, there is Neal's maiden shave with the Swan from June 21: http://theshaveden.com/forums/posts/1077416/

I feel an obligation to tell you to remember to Ride The Cap.

 

November 29, 2016- "No Expectations" Focus

Razor: F2 Gillette FatBoy (3)
Blade: GSB (2)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Mineral Fusion/Dove Hydrating Cream

Bounced back from yesterday with no new injuries. Another DFS for the books.

 

Razor: Gillette Adjustable Fat Boy
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (3)
Brush: Los Tres Amigos Dos Simpson Chubby 2 Synthetic
Soap: Route 66 Bay Lime Twist
Aftershave: Booster Iced Lime
Early 3 pass shave as I'm off to a meeting shortly. A very close comfortable shave with the slightest of clean ups around my chin. The new Route 66 Bay Lime Twist is a delightful synergy of pure East Indian Bay brightened with a generous twist of lime, mingled with ginger and supporting notes of lemon, lily, and grapefruit. The soap is as slick and protective as are all Route 66 soaps.

 

Fantastic picture Doug. The new scent Bay Lime Twist sounds great. Some Bay scents have a lot of clove. Does this one?

 

I get more of a lime and grapefruit scent from the soap myself. I'm probably not the best judge of this though.
I've only used the soap once and I find it takes a few uses to have the scent release. IMO.

 

No that's great. If it were overpowering with clove you would've picked up on it. More soaps on my" to buy list".

 

Lovely photo Doug! Your pictures always make me feel cold

 

I'd say that gentlekid needs a shave.

 

He looks like he's in a bit of a lather.

 

NOVember!!

November 29

Grand Blade Trial - End of the Month Diversion!

Razor - Swan Safety Razor on a Stick!
Blade - (1)
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum, Nivea Original

Next to the last shave of the month and let's have some fun. I have this Swan razor, which is really a safety razor head on a stick. For some reason this came to mind when I came up with that description:

I used this razor once before when @Drygulch dared me, which is how I seem to end up with some of these items. In fairness, I've paid him back a couple of times. My experience was optimistic.....in fact I went and reread the shave summary and was surprised at the optimism, especially after using it again. To say that this is perhaps a bad idea is a bit of an understatement. Making the razor, I mean, not just shaving with it. The design is, well, wonky at best and I'm not sure who would find it useful or why. But, it is what it is.

@Bama Samurai , because he always looks after my best interest here at the Den, suggested I use the Tiger or Flying Eagle. Such guidance and concern is really touching. Alas, I couldn't see the point as this thing has enough trouble cutting with a Voskhod, what chance would it have with either of the two worst? So, I chose a Sputnik as a compromise. It's a nice Russian blade, but not in my top 5 so there.

Getting the cutting angle on this thing is nearly impossible. @John Ruschmeyer was wise when he said "ride the cap". However, that almost makes it unusable as the blade doesn't really curve in it, so if you get on the cap just a bit too much you miss the edge of the blade. Still, the right idea at least. I managed two passes with no cuts and seriously deficient beard removal. Felt like I'd done a full pass with the Tiger, actually, without the screaming pain and irritation.

Finished with a pass from my Aristocrat and a Ladas since I do have to work tomorrow and turned the barely CCS the Swan produced into a nice DFS. And that, my friends, is that.

The Swan is a nice novelty item and I still think with a bit of work you could learn to produce a decent enough shave. But at some point it just feels ridiculous to be trying. I think I'd rather have the Soyuz 1 and a Rubie in my hand.

Hey....I think I'll do that tomorrow to finish out NOVember. Haven't just had fun at my own expense in a long time so I'll even go it one better. Tomorrow's set up is as follows:

Razor - Soyuz 1 (The Soviet DE that is worthy of an exploding spacecraft)
Blade - Rubie (My least favorite Russian Steel - I barely consider it usable.
Soap - Wait for it............wait for it...........Marvy
Brush - Yep, might as well double down Marvy
Post - With luck just some alum and aftershave. With this setup, perhaps a few other things.

Consider that an early gift for the season. Hope you all have a great night and remember.......when it comes to shaving........

​

 

November 29, finishing out the Rule:

Rockwell 6s on plate #3
Rockwell blade (11)
Old tub of TOBS Avocado croap
Old nameless drugstore brush that may actually be badger not dyed boar (?)
Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel Lavender

My night off work so I had a long hot bath and then shaved the two-day stubble.

Lather was nice and creamy; I think I have finally gotten it right. And about time too...

Usual two pass crisscross shave cleaned everything off well. No nicks, weepers or razorburn. The alum did have a teeny bit of warmth in a couple small spots though. Nevertheless I used my normal palm splash of Thayers across my face and neck only to stick to routine and not because it felt necessary.

The Rockwell blade is starting to feel a bit dull though. It still cuts the stubble cleanly without needing multiple passes or more pressure and without tugging at the whiskers at all. However, it just doesn't feel as crisply sharp or as "bright" as it slices, if that makes any sense. I can definitely use it for one more shave tomorrow to finish out the month, but then I think I will change it out at a respectable 12 shaves. It has felt smooth and forgiving and pleasant to use throughout my shaves with it, although I think the vintage Schick Plus Platinum I was using before it started out a touch sharper. Overall a very nice blade to use in the Rockwell 6s and I will be very happy to receive my 100-pack of them with my Rockwell T1 in February.