ET TU Brute?

I have never found a reason to shim a razor. Not saying you should not if you like it. If I need to adjust a blade angle I have a handle to do that with.

You're welcome. I wish I had made a note where the info originated. It does seem credible.

June 2017!!!

Trials and Tribulations - SPECIAL AWARD SHAVE

June 14

Razor - 1959 Super Speed
Blade - (3)
Soap - Dirty Deeds Tobacco
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Alum

My original plan for tonight was a tribulation Marvy shave......BUT.......my Shavey award arrived today courtesy of @Drygulch . As a recipient of the 30 Day OG award he gifted me a puck of Dirty Deeds Tobacco soap. And, in the style of an OG I reached back for a Super Speed and the best NOS blade ever to come out of Russia, the Sharp Star. Add a badger brush, albeit a modern Wolf Whiskers creation, and you have a classic shave in honor of this auspicious occasion.

One thing about Dirty Deeds, it's made with beer. So, my thinking was if I don't like the soap I can always melt it down and drink it. Right?? It's a unique formula, glycerin based and the tobacco scent took a bit to come out on the lather but boy did it ever. The lather was easy to get with the Wolf and some of the slickest I've found. Great consistency and thickness added to the great feel and result. Two passes for a near-BBS and the aroma is marvelous.

I squeezed the remaining soap out of the brush and had enough to easily do a third or even fourth pass. And the consistency was really interesting. Like a handful of whipped cream. Fluffy, peaky, wonderful stuff. Another fine addition to the Cartel den.

Also in honor of the 30 Day OG - a new avatar. Yeah, that's how I roll. Represent. (Throwing a poor representation of some sort of gang sign) Thug life baby.

Wonderful picture!

Same setup different blade working in the Astra Superior Platinum today first impressions are this is a sharper blade than I expected.
I was reminded what Alum felt like again today not because of the blade but because I got greedy and chased the baby. On a plus note I totally got it though. I generally don't shave on Fridays so I'll just be watching you guys tomorrow.

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cArT3l4L1f3!!!!

I believe Alum blocks to be an essential learning tool for new converts. It is one of the only objective measures of success with regard to technique. If it burns... There is more to learn. I still use one each day with my shavette to judge my performance with the blade, even though I have 450 open blade shaves in the books. Pain is a powerful teacher.

(composing report, catching up since last night. Great couple of TSD days.)

Definitely it's kind of amazing how different the feeling is yesterday it just tightened my face and itched a little today it gave quite the sting on the lower neck feels like two different products.

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I second that statement.

The burning is positive indication that the blade has exfoliated you too deeply. This phenomenon is why I tell newbies to skip prep. No scrubbing...the razor bevel does that for you. Simply wash the face(neck) before a shave with soap and bare hands. Or lather up and let it sit for a minute, then rinse and relather to shave. This will chemically prep the hair on your neck without adding to any irritation issues.

First time I have seen you explain that. Thanks!

On my 1914 and 1924s, the unshimmed blade sort of vibrates and gives me weepers galore. The shimmed blade gives me a nice, smooth, relatively comfortable shave (although I still prefer the 1912s or Damaskeene to them). So yes, I shim my blades and no I don’t find the handle enough to deal with the issue .

My prep:

Wash face with cool water and bare hands.
Apply Arko or lather from loaded brush.
Shave.

My post:

Rinse
Alum block over wet face
Pat dry
AS splash

As a newbie, I did the PSO, the preshave balm, the post shave balm, the WH, et al ad nauseum. Nothing helped. Then the 30DC happened a couple of years ago, and I mastered the tools, and have witnessed others experience the same or similar. I realize not everyone has exactly the same skin, but why not start here. We aren't as unique as we think. Products do not cause most irritation, nor can they solve it in most cases.

Bully!!! The Dammy is a fine razor...I use to have a really nice one. How long have you been SEing?

Geeeee Mister. How do you open and close your pores then????

Kung Fu powers.

Carry on.

I figured you have to use the force for that.....

Techniques....

Sticking to It!
14 June 2017
@RyX Vintage WILLIAMS Edition/New Brush!!!



@jtspartan - it's as good as it looks!

Exhausted and calling it a night. Will use the brush again tomorrow!

Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a terrific Thursday!
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