March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

March 3 - Fatboy/Voskhod Day 2 : Scots Pine Sheep body soap!!

G3 Fatboy
Voskod Teflon (2)
AOS Black 23mm Pure Badger Brush
Homemade PSO
Stirling Vanilla Sandalwood
Alum/Thayer's WH
Nivea PSB


Before my shave, I decided to break open the Scots Pine Sheep soap. I felt this was more of a cold weather scent so why not break into the sample Rod sent. Let me start by saying that I grew up with a father who always bathed with Irish Spring and learn to dislike that scent but Rod seems to always find a way to make something great so I had to give this a try. It is in my opinion nothing like Irish Spring. The scent was woodsy and perfectly matched a fresh pine forest. this reminds me of Christmas tree shopping and cutting our own down. Each time I closed my eyes, I had to open them because I would swear I was showering in the middle of a pine forest. It was just perfect and a pleasurable shower. I also did not feel greasy after the shower and the lather was wonderful. I got a nice clean feeling using it as well as an enjoyable scent. If this is anything like the rest of his bath bars, I may have to partake in them and I would encourage all of you to do so as well.

Decided to give the Phoenix a rest. Took out the AOS brush that has given me trouble and soaked it. I then squeezed out as much water as I could while a few drops of water sat on the Vanilla Sandalwood. This water was then poured into my lather bowl and I worked a damp brush on the sample puck. I find 45 -60 seconds grabs a perfect amount for this brush. A few sets of drops added resulted in the perfect, creamy, yogurty, rich lather that Stirling seems to always deliver. Plus, the scent was awesome. I love vanilla and sandalwood and this was a perfect pairing. To me, Rod added enough vanilla to make his regular sandalwood seem richer. Another successful scent and will be a repeat buy for me.

The Fatboy was turned up today to 5 and so was the razor . I was on a quest for a BBS shave. A little back history. My father was an electric man since either electrics came out or he started shaving. Not sure which came first. In '62, he went into the army and could not use his electric. On many a story, he complained about how lousy a shave this razor gave him. He was reprimanded on several occasions for not looking clean shaven and I think received a 'GI shave' on more than one occasion in basic training. When on leave, he would go back to his trusted electric. This is who gave me my quick growing thick beard. From hearing all the praises a Fatboy gets, I was surprised this was the case. I am a bit on a quest to prove him wrong and get a perfect yet gentle shave from a safety razor, THIS razor. I am fortunate to have the very instrument that could not yield my father a successful shave. In cleaning up the old razor, I see nothing out of place or misaligned. It is my belief technique is largely to blame.

Of course, my father did not have Stirling by his side so this is a bit unfair advantage that will definitely aid me in my quest. Set on 5 (of 9), the Fatboy clearly makes 'finding the blade' when riding the cap an easy task. This is one thing this razor seems to do is it let's you know that , 'There's the Blade!!'. I will add that I am not sure I have felt the safety bar in these two days of shaving with the Fatboy. 3 pass : WTG, XTG and ATG with some touch up was all that was needed to get a DFS+. It was just shy of BBS. I did get 3 weepers that quickly closed.

The Alum test was next. I did not feel that my face was on fire or any more irritated than any other close shave. The cold water rinse showed no indications of a rough shave. I have found that patting dry my face and waiting a bit to towel off first seems to make the alum sting less. After this shave, the alum was biting in some spots but again, it dissipated within a few minutes. Face still wet with alum this time, I rinsed and applied TWH followed by Nivea SPSB.

My only disappointment comes from the Voskhod blade. When I used one in the Merkur 34C, it glided over my face about as smoothly as a Derby Extra. This time, this blade is louder and pulls a bit more. I am not sure if this blade, after only 2 shaves, is dull, damaged from the start or due to the different angles presented by the Fatboy vs. the 34C, just is not well suited, for me, in the Fatboy. I have been getting use to the different angle of attack the Fatboy requires nicely. The lack of facial damage and the closeness of shave suggests that in my opinion.

Still no sight of the Fendrihan Scientist so I will see if I give the Fatboy third day or go back to the Merkur.

This Fatboy is having fun!!

 

Oh, now I get it

 

@jtspartan them looks and sounds like fightin' words to me!

 

That particular assessment doesn't surprise me. One of the best engineers I have ever had the pleasure of working with was a big musician. He said he loved music because it was mathematical.

Sounds like a great assessment from your instructor.

 

March 3 SOTD:

Jayaruh Brush (no number)
Latha SS
CJB Pain Stick
Stirling Unscented PSB
Latha Post Shave Splash

My first shave a Pain Stick in a long time. I did one pass for a CCS, in what was really a nice relaxing shave this morning. I was a little tentative at first, but muscle memory took over and I just shaved. I know I have said it before, but the original Latha performance is great. If only the scent was better. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

More aggressive means less passes, and a more gentle shave. You'll get it!

 

I am sure @Bama Samurai would be honored to act as your second.

 

Did somebody page the Kyoto dojo, or am I imagining things?

 

Since the first time I ordered a Stirling bath bar a little over two years ago, I haven't showered with anything else. I keep a bar in my dopp. I have never used a soap that kept my skin from drying out so well, and rinsed off so cleanly at the same time.

Sounds like you are getting this whole process dialed in very nicely.

 

If blade dulls after two shaves there are two possibilities:

1) Bad blade. I've encountered exactly one of these.
2) Improperly high angle of attack, rolling the bevel.

It doesn't pay to economize whilst learning. Don't let the blade become a variable! Two and out! The 34C is equivalent to about 5.5 on the FB dial. Ride the cap....

 

Very well played.

 

My son who is at school to be a music teacher loves theory. He has said on more than one occasional that if he ever went to grad school it would be for theory, not performance. He also makes math comparisons, and did very well at it.

 

Oh the original Latha scent was rough for me. Happy Friday Jim.

 

THAT is one nice blade!!!

 

SOTD March 3rd


Ever-Ready Shovel Head
Gem Stainless
DR Jon's Hydra
Stirling 24mm Synthetic
Myrsol lemon

Good morning friends. Today I had my first shave with the Shovel Head and it was a treat. It's really hard to compare a DE shave to an SE. Something about the ridgedness of the blade that just makes for a very efficient, close shave that isn't overly harsh. 3 passes and I am super smooth. Have a great day everyone!



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HAI!!! Sinsei.

I understand but I am such a cheap Ba..., well, I'll just say that I have a hard time ditching something if it is still good. Maybe what I'll do is put THAT blade in the Merkur and see if it behaves the same or not. I know, it is just a dime's worth of blade. Just ditch it.....

I guess if you run a blade over a carpet of Kevlar and Aluminum Oxide, AKA my beard, you can roll an edge after just one shave.

 

I think I would put them both in the barber shop type scent category

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Great pic Andrew. He looks just adorable.

 

Cute Kid and what a head of hair!!! He might be prime TSD material if the face follows. I must admit, I have the same expression... when I eat at my mother-in-laws's!!!

 

Best shave yet from the Feather Weight. Benefits greatly from a fresh blade a close attention to angle.


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