April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Wonderful pic Jim. I imagine the menthol cooling is very nice for you with the warmer weather.

 

Day 18 of 30 days of Henckel straights

This was a very nice 2 pass shave today. DFS results without any blood.

DIY Pre-shave Oil
MDC Face Lathered
24mm High silvertip set an extra 10mm deep
2 passes, WTG, XTG
Sampsons All Natural Aftershave Balm
Round Toe 6/8 Henckel 17 1/2

 

Cool pic, Jim!

 

Nice to see some water not covered in ice, Doug!

 

Once I learned technique and riding the cap, my blade sampler became my rotation. I discovered that with only a couple of exceptions I can use nearly any blade with good results.

 

This is how I can do a 10 second load and have enough lather for 3 passes.

 

I agree that sampling should be minimized when one first starts DE shaving. This hobby of wet shaving has so many different parts from razors, blades, brushes and soaps that it can develop into a never ending sampling routine. Sadly it does for many newer DE shavers and results in many mediocre shaves and a prolonged if not impossible development of technique. One of my other life long passions and hobbies is motorcycling. It too offers endless variety and the ability to explore unlimited modifications like tires, suspensions, adjustments, etc. New riders get overwhelmed with the small stuff such as tires or adjusting the suspension. Honestly they would not know or be able to tell what adding 2 clicks compression would do or feel like. Their time would have been better spent learning the basic riding skills and practicing them constantly without changing all the variables.

I have come to the believe that small stuff only matters when you master the big stuff. New DE shavers are better served by quickly picking a setup and taking the time to hone their skills and ingrain them into muscle memory. By doing this then their evaluations of blades, soaps, razors or brushes will have some meaning to them and others. This approach also provides a firm baseline that one can return to if experimentation is not working. This method and approach is the entire basis for the 30 day thread. The thread allows the new DE shaver or veteran to come and share their journey, get advise and be cheered on by those that have come before them.

 

Man ,Helga looks intimidating

 

How are you liking the additional aggression of the E series, Perry? Getting a little closer of a shave over the later Injectors ?

 

Thank you both. I love the patina developing on the brush. It will be interesting to see the patina develop on the razor.

 

April 13
Gillette Old Type w Voskhod (1)
WD High Mountain Badger
Stirling Gin and Tonic
Thayers Unscented
Stirling Unscented Balm w Menthol

Day 10 of the Canadian Old Type focus, first day with the Voskhod. Whipped up a nice lather with the Gin and Tonic. This brush is the only one of mine I'd consider a lather hog, but got lots of slick lather with a heavily loaded brush. 3 passes plus touch up on the jawline resulted in another DFS. The Voskhod was a nice pairing with this razor, at least on a one day sample size. Put on some of the excellent Mentholated balm and am eagerly awaiting Spring...
After a few weeks with the Old Type, I am getting very consistent, pleasant shaves. The only time there is irritation is if I go truly ATG on my lower neck. That is basically my experience in general, though.
Realized after uploading that the picture is awful, and makes the razor looked heavily rusted. That is not the case.
Have a great day all!

 

I think the razor looks quite nice, Just like a scratch or a scar, a little discoloration gives it character.

 

I think the photo is great and the razor looks to be a fine example of the Old Type.

 

Thursday, April 13, 2016

Paladin Falstaff
MDC Original Le Bol en Bois
Asylum Evolution
Polsilver Super Iridium
Fine Fresh Vetiver
Tom Ford Grey Vetiver

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Now that is a photo. Oh my goodness.

 

Thank you Clint!

 

Wow, Mark! beautiful.

 

Was that photo taken with the 7+ or DSLR? Just curious.

 

It is certainly a little more aggressive. I'm enjoying it so far. Pretty close shaves!

 

Beautiful picture, Doug!