April 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

YO!!!

 

30 Day Crew LE Brush Update

I made the first potential 30 DC brush last night, and put some finish on it this morning. It is not done- don't judge it by any noticeable faults, please.
I really like the shape, actually. I put a few different finishes on it to show folks different looks. The wood is a figured maple. If anyone isn't sure what that is, it is maple that has a wavy pattern perpendicular to the grain. In the pictures, it looks like horizontal lines in the finish. When you turn the wood in the light, the lines look different. It is quite noticeable in the natural colour brush beside it. The bulb top is painted an expresso colour. The stain on the main body is a dark walnut type colour. I like the natural look of the brush beside it. Lots of finish options.
It is quite large (all my brushes are, to be honest). I photographed it next to a standard size WD resin handle for comparison. I also photographed it beside my other 3 main brush types that I kept so you can see the types of styles I like to make.
My lettering set isn't in yet. Can't show samples of that yet, sorry. What i'm thinking is to 'punch' the letters after 2 coats of finish, paint the recesses (white or tan if dark finish, brown or black if light) and then put the final finish over top of that so that it doesn't run or fade.
Something like '30DC' or 'DAY30CREW' on the bulb part and then LE and a # on the bottom?

After having a look, I'd like opinions on:
1. Whether this type of brush works for folks
2. What changes, if any, folks would like to see
3. Other finish options you'd like to see
4. If you are ok with a 26mm opening for a 24mm knot- other sizes are a hassle as I would have to change dimensions to keep it in proportion.
5. lettering- any great ideas out there?

Things for the group can go on the thread, but things just for me, please PM me.

 

Congrats on a nice shavette shave! Great job on the video!

 

Thanks charlie. I feel more of them coming on.

 

I think I would be honored to get one of those. Love the finish and the shape. 24mm will let me get the biggest boar I can find in it.

 

Awesome work. It's a looker!! The size looks great to me.

 

I think the opening scene as Jake passes out of the tall limestone wall is Stateville Correctional. North of Joliet, near Lockport. Right down the road from Lemont and Romeoville.
It's a fun movie, not just for the music, but seeing places I grew up around.

 

Jason, you did a beautiful job on the brush handle! I think the natural finish really shows off the grain pattern of the figured maple! Thank you for offering to do this for the 30 Day Crew.

 

Very Nice! If you make an extra, put it aside and award it to me in a year, when I've paid my dues and contributed to the group as much as the rest of you!

 

Thank you. Already added it to the rotation. I'm not forgetting this one again.

 

Koraat 8/8 again today. I named this one Bruin. Finished the last of my samples I started going through in February. Of course I got new samples in on Saturday. The sample I find shed was a Mama Bear Lily of the Valley. Kind of appropriate, as the actual flowers just bloomed this weekend in the yard. I had enough left for two shaves if I skimped, or one if I went all in. So I made enough lather for fourteen passes and a bunny, and went to it. This razor is amazing. Heavy and solid, no pressure is needed. The bellied hollow makes it more rigid than a large hollow ground. Three passes and a solid DFS. Alum grumbled a little, but was good. Myrsol F/s is awesome.

 

That is an impressive chopper.

I guess now any extra lather will be for "THE BUNNY" for awhile. Lol

 

Adam, I really like the size and shape of that blade! It's a great addition to your rotation!

I bet your Bride smiled with her eyes, lips, and spirit all at once when you showed her your new razors. You showed them to her, right?

 

1. this type of brush; Looks good!
2. changes, if any; Nope, it's great!
3. finish options; Light stain & Off while socket?
4. 26mm for 24mm knot; Good size!
5. lettering; 1/8' tall die stamps? Which Font? Kidding, which ever you have incoming will be great!

 

Concur.

 

Gorgeous handle. I like the size and shape. I agree that the natural finish is beautiful and would like to see that as an option. But, I'll be honored to have one no matter what the finish

 

I agree with your Shavette observation. When I tried to do a blade focus, I discovered very quickly that degree of difference between blades was extremely miniscule, to the point where trying to choose a favorite became meaningless. I haven't tried a single blade out of my many varieties that I couldn't get a good result with, and that was magnified by the shavettes. In that context they became far more equal than in the DE razors, largely because I could control angle of attack much more easily. I didn't have to search for the sweet spot. My first DE razor was a no-name blade from Sally with a huge blade gap. I almost quit over that razor. Buying a razor with less blade gap made it less likely for me to cut myself and kept me in the game. But I recently (this week) re-approached that old razor and got a very easy high quality shave with it, so much so that it is solidly back in rotation. I can now get a very consistently high quality result across a selection of 15 or so DE, SE and shavette razors of varying quality with various blades, which indicates to me that technique is of ultimate importance. I might enjoy one more than the other, and thus prefer that experience, but the end result is consistent.

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

 

That is just amazing. Myself, I wouldn't change a thing.

 

Good vid. For not using them often, you sure whipped that one out pretty well.

 

Thanks. It was fun. I will be doing more and also some straights when Glen gets done with the 2 I sent him.