February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

And??? Inquiring minds are morbidly curious...

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Monday, February 6, 2017

PAV Barbershop With Envy White
MDC Vetyver
The General with Darwin Ti
Feather Pro
Fine Fresh Vetiver


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Did you ever see that seen in The Matrix where they discuss how the machines knew what something tasted like and came to the conclusion that they didn't, so everything taste like chicken? Well, these are no exception. At least when fried, they taste a lot like fried chicken. Maybe a bit like fried alligator tail, if you have ever had it.

 

Wonderful picture, Mark. That brush is beautiful!

 

Continuing with my Rules Month

I change the Merkur SP blade for the Wilkinson Classics in the 34C HD. The shave wasn't too bad. I read the 'Riding the Cap' and did my best to do that. Made an effort to have the safety bar not touch or at least barely touch. I did 3 passes: WTG, XTG and ATG. I even reapplied lather to go over spots that I felt were still feeling stubbily. All and all it was a better shave. The blades felt smoother but not as sharp. They weren't pulling or anything. they just resulted in a shave that I could still feel some stubble pretty much everywhere evenly. Not terribly but not as close as the Merkur first pass I think. Irritation did seem less(until I got sweated up). This shave, I did not shower first but instead used some Neutragena face scrub and then a hot towel. There were some stinging when I put on the ALum but that is expected with all the going back over on each pass. I tried not to shave dry but a few times, anxiety got the better of me. I was a little in a rush to see how the Wilkinsons performed. Too soon to tell but I think I will like a sharper balde the way things are going. Even did my upper lip and chin very carefully ATG.

All in all, not bad but I expected a closer shave with a new blade.

I also decided to photograph my AOS Sandalwood lathering after each water addition. I mixed for a good while each time trying to get as much lather created and well incorporate the water. I only added several drops/sprinkles of water. Let me know if I over did it.

Is it possible to dry out the lather with over mixing?

Amount Used
Water 1X
Water 2X
Water3X
Water 4X
Water 5X
Water6X - Shaved first pass WTG
Water 7X - Shaved 2nd pass XTG
Water 8X - Shaved ATG

The lather was very thick. When I finally went to shave, it went on like Spackle. I thought is had a shine but it almost felt dry. It retained the super stiff feeling and never really felt wet.

What did I do wrong? I think the lather is part to blame.

Got to get back to the SUper Bowl. Go Falcons!!

 

I like alligator tail well enough, but I'm not nuts about trying rocky mountain oysters.

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One more thing. As the lather was getting fuller, I noticed that the brush was fanning out more and more and seemed like it couldn't go back to normal.

Is this a good sign or is it indicating too dry and firm?

 

Thanks Jim! It was brought back to life with the Envy knot installed by @clint64.

 

So Day 4 I didn't wet shave. I just couldn't justify it. But I did get called into work at 1:30am this morning, so I used the electric razor. The electric razor plus the early hours gave me a nice stubble for tonight's Day 5 shave.

So from the beginning my focus has been to get a good lather. Here is tonight's results. Though I think I need more product and/or less water.

Again I let warm water sit on the puck while I showered then poured some of it out. I didn't soak the whole brush, just running it under hot water up to the band then shaking it out. I would start on the soap and when it got busy wipe it off and then start swirling in the mug. I did this a few times.

The first two pictures are the before, the last two what I had left when I was done.





So it looks decent to me, but I know it isn't right because it still evaporates off. Will see what tomorrow brings.

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The first picture looks pretty good. I would push all of those suds that have risen to the top back down to the bottom and continue whipping. It looks a little overhydrated and bubbly. Working it more would work some of that out.

It takes a lot of practice. I would whip up practice lathers with no intent of shaving. It was just to practice.

I haven't bowl lathered in a long time; face lathering is my routine. When I did I would consistently push the rising suds back down and continue to circulate the brush.

 

Thanks. I was doing that sometimes, guess just need to work it out some more. I have thought about practice lathers, but part of me just can't stand the idea of wasting product. But I guess this would be the product to use for that.

I used the bowel to try and contain it some since the surface area of the puck is so small. I'm trying to find a bigger container. The bowel/mug isn't much bigger, but the high walls keep it from getting all over the place.

Jacob

 

That looks like a Col Conk soap. That's a glycerine based soap that you could melt into any type of container. Simple ziploc or tupperware style containers are just fine. I have some from Dollar Tree (four containers for $1) that work really well. That mug you are using to bowl lather would actually be good to put the puck of soap in. Lather directly on top of the puck and then go straight to your face.

 

It does look airy. You had a pic about halfway through where it was starting to look pretty good. Was it disappearing on your face, or did it hold up okay?

 

It sounds like you have it figured out. If it's disappearing, you have too much water in your ratio. Just keep playing with it, and you will have it in a few more shaves.

 

It was thick but by the time I shaved the right I had to whip up the left. It had lost a little

 

I know the rule is "your shave, your way" but you might want to use a BOWL instead of a BOWEL.


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Well, that would explain the smell...

 

Norcalnewb Baseball Lathering Pattern© time?
Divide your facial area into quarters. Top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right. Lather up one section and shave your first pass, then the next section. This is going to take a while? Might do it as an evening shave. After doing each quarter/first pass reevaluate the lather. Too dry, bubbly,wet etc? Adjust the lather by adding more product, water, or agitation. Lather up the first quarter again and do your next pass. Repeat until done.
Your lather shouldn't dry if only applied to 1/4 of your face. Your concentration will be on that section so you won't be hurrying to Get Er Done.

 

To each his own, and if it works for some great. I've read people opinioning though that it is better to lather the whole face, and let it do its work on the unshaved areas. I personally would rather work towards getting it right, then just shaving a sector at a time. Plus, when I notice it evaporating I just reapply. So it lasts a bit longer.