February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Razor: Timeless .95 OC w/ Aluminum Handle
Blade: Personna 74 Tungsten Steel (14)
Brush: El Druida Cocololo Manchurian
Soap: Reef Point Soap Classic Barbershop
Aftershave: Myrsol Blue
Fendrihan Shave towel

 

Just simply fantastic. . Between the Druida 2 band and Manchurian which do you prefer?

 

February 14 (Tuesday) - Fatboy Focus

Gillette Fatboy on 4
PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground carbon (41)
Kent woodhandled boar brush
The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap )
Alum and cold water rinse

I honed the PAL blade again after yesterday's somewhat dull shave. Today it was sharp again but also rather rough. I seem to be hitting a point where the blade can either be smooth but dull or sharp but rough. And either way, the shaves aren't great. Today, my normal passes got me to about a CCS+ or maybe DFS- -- better than yesterday but still nothing to brag about. At least the alum was totally quiet; I didn't bother with any postshave products.

 

Time to put the PAL blade to bed? It's amazing that it has made it 41 shaves. It has the longevity of a tub of TOBS Avocado.

 

Oof. Sounds like time for the bin maybe? Either way, 41 is a hell of a run.

 

So I didn't shave last night, but did tonight. Lathering went well. Almost makes me want to get another thing of Conk's to show who is boss. But for some reason, tonight was not my night. First time for razor burn. Ever. Plus I had a lot of small nicks, almost like a path. I didn't feel like I was doing anything differently, and it was a brand new blade.

So I'm wondering, have people come across bad blades out of the box? This would have been the last one in the package. I know lemons do exist, and wondering if maybe this as just a bad blade that made it through QC. I might just pitch it and try and another one, they're cheap enough.

 

You've got the lathering techique down! Col Conk already knows you're the lather boss, so go to straight to Route 66 for your next soap. You won't be sorry!

Sorry about tonight's shave. I've never had a bad blade out of the box. However, I managed to damage a blade edge once, and it caused a "path" of small nicks down one side of my face before I knew what was happening. But I'd pitch a blade in a New York minute, even in the middle of a shave, if I suspected it was bad.

You're making great progress. Please don't get discouraged. It took me several months to achieve what I consider to be acceptable shaves. Every now and then, I still have a bum shave due to operator error. I use it as a learning opportunity and keep moving forward.

What blades do you have in your Den, and do you have any others coming your way?

 

Astra SP are my current go to. Merkur was my first, and it worked but it felt too scrapey. I tried Bic, and was like no. Didn't even make it through one shave. When I tried the Astra it was like heaven (at least compared to the Bic) so I stopped there.

I've also got Merkur, Bic, Gillette Blue, a Personna Red, some Personna Blue, Derby, Wilkinson Sword.... I think maybe a few others. I've also looked at possibly getting some more samples to try. Either in my current razor or any others I get.

As for next soap, I did look at Route 66. But I have some Stirling headed my way, and some TSD Shaving Cream. TSD might be next month. Route 66 will have to wait.

 

Sounds good. Astra SP blades work great for me. I think you'll like the Stirling and TSD soaps as well.

If you're interested in trying Perma-Sharp Supers, Polsilver Super Iridiums, and Feathers, PM me your address. I can fix you up.

 

Yes, I think this blade is now starting to head out of razor and into paint scraper territory. Time to try something new for the rest of the month.

It does show what can be done with a carbon steel blade, at least as long as you are careful to dry the blade properly between uses so it doesn't rust. Incidentally, there are no signs of rust on the PAL blade after nearly 1 1/2 months in a wet environment. It will be nice to use something again that only needs a rinse and a shake though.

Edit:. After thinking about it for a few minutes more, I pulled the blade and pitched it in the blade bank. Tomorrow I start fresh.

 

I'll just keep my mouth shut (he can DO that?! ) until you've tried it a few more times. But if it's something you actually like I'll know where to forward any that show up in multi-blade packs!

 

I have had bad blades out of the box but it is rare. I ran onto a bad tuck of Ladas one time but that was the only time I had problems with any of the better Russians. The occasional "dud" is out there but it rarely if ever shows its face.

 

I'm gonna toss it. Not like I haven't got more. We will see what Thursday or Friday brings.

 

Fatboy February!!!!!

Grand Blade Trial

February 14
Razor - 1959 (E4) Gillette Fatboy (3)
Blade - (1)
Soap - Arko
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Post - Alum

Happy Valentine's Day and from the reading I've done here today it sounds like a lot of you had a good day. Mine was consumed partly by a Dr. appointment but I did get in a nice lunch with my own Valentine. Then fixed a toilet this evening. Don't tell me it hasn't been a day filled with absolute romance. I got my better half a Mantis Tiller which she has been wanting for two years. Hey, it isn't a box of chocolates but it is red and her reaction was better than diamonds and much cheaper!

Grand Blade Trial night with the Crown Platinum. This is a Lord produced blade in Egypt so I'm hopeful it will be good but not assuming anything. Using the Fatboy in place of the Slim since it's Fatboy February and the gaps match. Exposure differences shouldn't skew things too much. Three passes to a DFS and it's nothing spectacular at 3 on the razor. Audible feedback, effective enough not to be maddening. Kind of a "meh" shave but sometimes those are the best you can get. We'll see what 6 does for it tomorrow.

For those of you who are married or have a significant other this was hopefully a great and successful Valentine's Day. For those of you still searching for a Valentine, not sure if the following method is recommended.....but I bet it's foolproof! Have a great night!

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Value Focused February
Day Fourteen



Super long and productive day, nice Barbasol ending with GSB. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great Wednesday!

 

Very busy week for me so it is tough to stay caught up on this thread. Day 3 with the Thäter bulb:

Route 66 for todays soap and a Dovo Master's straight. First shave after touching this razor up on a Shapton Glass 16k, the edge was smooth as silk and very sharp. Four passes, no blood, no irritation and BBS.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A+ Sharpness A

 

February 15, 2017​

Mongoose B2 with Triad Ti​

Feather Pro Super (4)​

Shavemac Silvertip D01​

MdC Vetyver​

Fine Fresh Vetiver​

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Another wonderful work morning shave. Two passes, XTG & ATG, followed by minimal touch ups ended in a near BBS. I finished the shave with a splash of Fine Fresh Vetiver and I am off to physical therapy shortly. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday

 

I love that the blade is referred to as "Platinum Class". What does that mean? Is it like Platinum but not Platinum?

It also sounds a bit like the boarding call of an airline. ("We'd like to welcome aboard all of our Platinum Class members flying with us today.")