This weeks Open Comb combo. Good shaves with the GEM but if you are in a hurry one day, you better have a styptic pencil handy.

Man, am I hopelessly behind this month. It's been mostly OC for me even though I haven't been posting my shaves. The Joris has stood out for me amongst my open combs. That said, my favorite shave of the month was last night.

Gillette Aristocrat
Feather blade
Henri Et Victoria Cognac and Cubans
30DC brush
PAA Al Fin AS

I got my best lather of the month and my smoothest shave with this combo. I have resisted having a razor replated, but this one has me thinking. It is missing a side cap on the head that does not affect function. It has some plate loss. But it just WORKS. It deserves some love. I'd love some suggestions on where to start looking and some PM's on what I might expect a ball park price to be.


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OCtober!!!

October 26

Razor - Gem Micromatic Open Comb
Blade - (1)
Soap - Tabac
Brush - Jayaruh #54
Post - Alum

Six more shaves in OCtober so I decided to give the MMOC another run. As the newest razor in my den it performed very well earlier this month. I had a fresh PTFE Gem blade in my stash still so why not? Tabac for the soap and I'll use my Jayaruh and LE brushes for the next three shaves.

I love the audible this blade produces when it's on angle. Easy to stay on angle when all you have to do is listen. And with the lather the Jayaruh #54 and Tabac provided it was as smooth as silk even though it was noisy. Two passes and touch ups and it's a very nice DFS. Alum was just a hint on the hot side but not bad at all. I think I probably added a touch too much pressure to the razor which led to that but it didn't produce any blood so it's all good. All in all another great shave out of the MMOC.

I've seen a metric ton of live shows. The combo bill of Neil Young & Crazy Horse headlining over Sonic Youth was the loudest rock show I've ever seen. Louder than Metallica, Ministry and Bassnectar. The Who level loud. I am pretty sure Neil Young's stacks rocked pretty much the whole free world on that day.

We'll pretend Bryan Adams didn't happen.

We'll KEEP Shania.

See above

"Doing it wrong"? There are two criteria;

1) Reduce your beard to an acceptable level.
B) Don't cut yourself.

On the first point folks toss around several acronyms. BBS (baby butt smooth) or sometime even BDBS (this involves dolphins and may be illegal in your locale) to signify absolutely all beard reduced to the maximum amount. It's usually accompanied by razor burn, sparkly alum, the use of styptic pencils (see next item), screaming when alcohol based aftershave are used, and a thick coat of soothing balm. If you are cautioned to Not Chase The Baby this simply means don't try to get a perfect shave. It's OK & even encourage when learning to use new razors to keep a known razor handy to do clean up passes. Heck, we even have a section of the Forum for folks who like cartridge razors. Lesser grades of shave include DFS (darn fine shave), CCS (close comfortable yadda yadda), SAS (socially acceptable, you get the idea?). All these mean is I'll brag that all MY shaves are DFS and I never nick myself. Honestly, I do on occasion but not often. Usually only with a new-to-me razor.
That second point was about Blood on Steel. It happens when you wave sharp and we're talking razor sharp metal close to your face. If you hang around this 30 Day Crew for a while you will see Shenanigans. Since you are new to wet shaving you may inadvertently commit an act of MAYhem without malice or forethought. It's OK to admit you cut yourself. We all do it, though some more than others. Most of us post our Shave of the Day both here & in the other thread specifically for that purpose of showing off our gear. The other is for public consumption like a piano recital. This 30 Day Crew is the hall outside the auto shop behind the high school - what happens here can stay here. If you are having problems with your shave, or your Chevrolet, there will be two reactions - jeering laughter & honest concern. No one wants to see you hurt yourself, but we're going to grab our phones and video that spectacle.
So Relax. Share as you choose. Gird your loins. Shave like a man! And ask questions if there's something you don't understand.

One of my faves. Saw Neil in Eugene, Oregon in 1989. Fantastic. Half the concert was acoustic, the other half rocked. No Crazy Horse, though.
Bryan Adams was doomed when Bonnie Tyler covered one of his earliest hits. It was a slow slide into movie anthems after that.
If you keep Shania, you have to take Corey Hart as well.

Got me curious! Chicken (white, or dark meat, and gizzards?), sausage (too many options to name...), shrimp, oyster, gator, crab, onion, celery, green pepper, okra, roux? Do you use soy sauce? I do.

Never surrender, brother, never surrender...

OCtober - Oh yeah, I shaved today!

Route 66 Retro Spice sample
JR #130 Maggard synth brush
Suribachi bowl & cool water
Gillette NEW long comb
Personna Lab Blue blade
Alum, Shulton Old Spice AS


Felt like a traditional set up, so this gear happened. Great lather in that old style scent whipped up with a space age synthetic knot. With a blade of unknown number of uses my three passes plus chin buffing yielded that all over acceptable quality without any nicks. Good thing I was born on a Friday the thirteenth or I might be jinxing my shaves. Alum didn't hardly tingle. AS went on smooth. I'm a Happy Camper.
Good Shaves Y'all!

Welcome Jason. You found the right place and are already getting some excellent advice. Take your time and have fun. The 30DC taught me more than anything else when I was new to this. Focus and practice is all it takes. Have fun!

October 27

Weber SS
Voskhod (1)
Simpson Chubby 2 Super
Mike's Natural Soap - unscented
Thayers Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and CC Bay Rum aftershave

I'm on my first day of a new focus. It's always fun to change things up. I will share some thoughts on this new set up after I complete a few shaves.

Have a great Friday!

Chicken (white and dark meat, no gizzards, but would like to try sometime) and sausage with onion, peppers, celery and garlic. Homemade roux. I don't use soy, but please tell me how you do. Always interested in learning more! The sausage is venison and pork from Market Baskett. This is the first time in years I have used store bought sausage and not something deer sausage, but I am out.

Looking great Jim.

OCtober 27, 2017
Wolfman Ti OC (0.74 blade gap)
Personna 74 (12)
WDC-8 with Druida Manchurian
Fine Italian Citrus Shaving Soap
Fine italian Citrus Aftershave

​

Happy Friday at last. It has certainly been one of those weeks. A very good shave this morning is just what I needed. The Italian Citrus is very easy to lather and is really a very good soap. My only real issue is Fine soaps seem to leave a white residue on the razor. Three passes and touch ups ended in with a great shave. I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday.

SOTD October 27, 2017

Prep: Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: GEM stainless
Razor: GEM Pushbutton
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel, Fine American Blend aftershave
WTG, touch up

Excellent shave this morning. Very comfortable with smooth results in the end. Not much else to report! I wish good shaves for everyone and wish I had some of the gumbo that @Norcalnewb was cooking up. But, perhaps another time.

Have a great day!

Gillette LC New BRW Improved Handle
Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Semogue BC Mistura
TOBS Avocado

Super quick shave this morning as I was running late for work. One pass and out the door. Honestly I can't tell much difference between this and my normal 2 pass shave.

Enjoy your day.

Still my favorite soap. Great shave today.
Route 66 Sweeney Todd Soap
B-400 Brush by Tom
Hien 650 Kamisori Razor
Lucky Tiger
Fine American Blend After Shave
Happy Friday!

October 27th
Gillette Old Type w Astra SP (1)
B&M Seville
TGN Boar
Thayers
Stirling Barbershop Splash

First day with my newest OT. Got this at an antique store out of town last week. Very similar to the one I already have, save for the gold plating. The top and comb are in great shape and there is a crack in the handle, but I picked it up for a nice price. Got it home, cleaned it up and realized it is a frankenrazor. Gold-coloured OT cap and comb, silver-coloured OT ball end handle.
A nice lather, loaded one of my favourite blades and had 3 really smooth passes. I was surprised that I'm not as smooth as I've been. Would call this a DFS. This handle is lighter than my other one, but the head geometry is the same. I'll spend a few more days getting it dialed in.
Have a great day all!

Thank you, Clint!

Wonderful picture!