Thanks, Clint! I had half thought that maybe my 1914 was wonky somehow, and here it was user error all along.

Thank you @Keithmax and @Drygulch.

Now to master shaving with one of these on and I'll be set.

Jeepers creepers . I got 7 weepers . Well maybe the blade gap was a little strong today. We were going to her parents for supper and you just cant rush your shave . Thankfully the witch hazel calmed everything down and i didnt get stares when we arrived. Next time i use this i will dial it in better. Seen some great shaves on here today and Thanks to those who complimented on my inventions . This month has been fun so far and it takes the mundane chore of shaving off the brain. Have a good evening guys .

What was the handle made of on the latest razor? Hard to tell from the pics.

Yes, but what's the fun in that?

Well done! Yet another satisfied member of the 30DC. I know, you've heard it over and over and over and over. Technique trumps tools! Another convert to the fold!

Thanks Jim!

I remember having Carlsberg-back when I was trying to learn to like beer.

Uhm, nope. You are like TSD’s own Dave Barry. I think it’s great.

Carry on.

Oh Gosh yes, @clint64!

That is a super great photo!

I’m as ornery and conservative of a SOB as it gets when it comes to spending, but if we can’t take care of the people who nurture our kids, where are we headed?

Switching hands with a pain stick is probably the biggest hurdle. It was for me. Since I'm so right-hand-dominant it was tough to get it into my left hand and do anything but slice and dice for a bit. My left is still weaker but it's usable.

I am saying you pretty much have her dicked in the creativity department.

Good job!

MAYhem 2018!!!!!

May 4

Razor - 1959 (E4) Gillette Fatboy (6)
Blade - (1)
Soap - Stirling Iced Coffee
Brush - Jayaruh #54
Post- Alum

It's been awhile since I've loaded a Chinese blade. There's a reason for that. Typically, they SUCK! Once in awhile I will find one that works, but it's rare. Most die an amazing death like the Flying Eagle - the absolute worst blade ever made. Or, should I say, the absolute worst piece of steel that's called a blade. So, when the Curley's showed up today I set my expectations appropriately low. I did some basic research. The Q-code on the tuck takes you to the website for Muncisa in Spain. They have a tab for Curly Shaving but only have pictures of disposables. That's the only shaving related tab I found. Munsica is clearly a wholesaler and handles a wide range of products.

Well, nothing to do but shave. I decided to treat this like a blade trial. Use a good razor, my Fatboy in this case, and go with a quality setup overall. The JR54 is top of the line for brushes and I can't describe how happy I was to grab some Stirling after a month with Arko and other things. Not that there's anything wrong with Arko but....I mean.......STIRLING! And Iced Coffee to boot!! I was nearly in tears from the joy.

So, load the razor. Whip up that decadently wonderful lather - both scent and quality - and take a deep breath as I began the shave. Chinese blades typically let you know immediately that they SUCK. This blade was......an exception. Intriguing. Definitely not on par with Russian steel, but also definitely not horrible. After the first pass I thought I might have found a weakness as it seemed to leave a lot behind. However, it was fairly smooth. The second pass was even smoother and more effective and I chose to just touch up after two passes rather than do a full third pass. The result - DFS. A very nice DFS.

Well, at what cost did I get that DFS? I mean - since it wasn't totally smooth it had to leave some heat behind for the alum, right? Not so much. A few hot spots but other than that the alum was quiet. I'm grudgingly impressed. I think I'll leave it in and turn the Fatboy up to 9 tomorrow and give it another go. Let's see what some gap creates with this one.

Quick programming note - I normally head shave on Thursday or Friday night, whichever precedes the start of my week. However, next Thursday we will be headed toward central Missouri for 4 days of havoc and fun. Heard of Burning Man? Well, Interfuse is next weekend, Thursday through Sunday. That's Missouri's Burning Man and we will be there. So....I will do my head shave next Wednesday night before we leave on Thursday. That will mean 13 days growth which, of course, means that head shave will be with a pain stick. Then, no shaves after Wednesday until we return on Sunday. Four days growth - yep - another pain stick shave, this time for my face and neck. Just another way MAYhem is playing out this year! Hope you have a great weekend!

​

Spruce strapping wrapped in aluminum tape . I was desperate .

Thank you . Idle hands and lots of coffee.

Saturday Shave:

The AoS tallow is finally . There were just tiny scraps so I did a super lather with AoS cream and the lather was excellent. I sent of the AoS in style with my favorite hardware, A handle made by Jason and filled with a plush Shavemac silver tip, the aircraft carrier dock made by Jason and my big smiling M Martinez straight. This razor keeps and edge longer than any of my other razors plus it will take a very sharp edge.

The AoS will said good bye to an epic shave.

Irritation A+ Closeness A+ Smoothness A+ Sharpness A++

Razor: M Martinez 8/8 smiling 3/4 hollow
Strop: Mastro Livi
Brush: Handle by Jason, Shavemac silver tip
Pre: Nivea
Soap: AoS tallow + AoS Peppermint cream
AS: Enhanced Florida Water AS, Edwin Jagger ASB
Scent: Creed Tabarome

I didn’t think of myself as being overly right hand dominant, until I switched this CJB to my left hand...

To train your left hand practice shaving with out a blade.