MAYhem 2018 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Happy Friday Perry. You have to be counting down the remaining days.

 

Awesome shot Jim! How do you like the Atomic Age Bay Rum ?

John, Glad your experience with the Trac II was similar to my own! Technique trumps tools!

Nice Fatboy, Jim! I may have to investigate this soap a little!

Rocking some heavy metal, Clint!I've been tempted to order the Karve, but so far have resisted. Especially since I have a REX Ambassador on the way.

Excellent photo, Perry! Do you ever find yourself shaving with you index finger on the adjuster dial ? I've started holding all of my razors in a similar manner and find I get much better angle control.

 

I believe that it goes Trac II->Atra->Sensor->Mach3->Fusion with appropriate intermediate steps (e.g., "Plus" or "Turbo") to add things like lube strips.

This was timely as today was also a Trac II shave...

May 11, 2018- On Trac

Razor: Gillette Trac II
Blade: Dollar General (i.e., Dorco) Twin
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Soap: Williams
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

The late 70s, when I first started shaving, were a time of experimentation. I remember flirtations with my father's pre-War Tech and Techmatic, some flavor of Gem Micromatic, and even an older Norelco rotary razor. Today I shave with various razors for the experiences; back then, it was a search for adequacy. I was a callow youth with no knowledge of technique beyond what I learned from watching my father and from TV. Ultimately, I was a good little consumer and ended up on the path of Gillette cartridges, working my way up from the Trac II through to the Mach 3. I recently picked up a Trac II handle as part of a bundle and today I shaved with it.

First impression- Loading the razor immediately reminded me of one of my biggest annoyances with the Trac II, the slide mount with no horizontal locking. Then and now, I caught myself recentering the cartridge periodically. I had no problem finding the proper angle but had to get a bit used to the almost weightless razor. (I'm almost curious now to find either one of the Schick Revere ones or a Brass-handled clone.)

And the results? Two passes to an incredibly smooth shave with no no issues or irritation. Honestly, I'd say that it beat anything that I would have gotten back in the day. I suspect that there are a few reasons for this: better technique, the second pass that I would never have done back then, and probably some improvements in blade technology. I have no problem with the idea of using it again, though I think I'd prefer an Atra-type handle for the positive engagement.

Finally, to follow up on a question @Linuxguile asked the other day... The lube strip on the DG cart is not slimy; I think that is an Edgewell (Schick/Personna) thing as I've noticed similar with the Schick carts for the Mach3. Dorco makes a twin-blade cart with an orange strip which, I think, is an Atra cart and is sold both at DG and by DollarShaveClub; I don't know how the strip is on that one.

 

Thank you Andrew. I was tempted by the REX group buy on DFS. I managed to restrain myself and avoid buying it.

 

SOTD MAYhem 11th


Dorco PL-602
Gillette 7 O'Clock Permasharp Stainless(3)
Yaqi Evil Zebra (26mm, Frigate class)
Jeeves Of Husdon Street Bay Rum
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill PSB

Very mild shave this morning with the plastic Dorco PL-602 DE. On the plus side there was not even a hit of irritation after 3 passes and a bit of touch up. On the negative side however this still ended up on the lower end of DFS. I find this Yaqi to be a little too high in the loft for my liking, which makes it feel a bit springy. The Jeeves performed flawlessly as always and I really really like this scent, Thanks again Adam @Drygulch ! Have a great weekend my friends!

TGIF!!

 

Thanks for the feedback on the cart, John. I have a heavy brass Trac II handle if you are interested.

 

Thank you, Clint! You are right - 9 days remaining with students, several of which are pretty sparse due to exams. Everything pretty much winds down next Friday. Time sure does fly.

Thank you, Andrew! I had to think about it, but I believe I use a similar technique with my index finger. I think I do the same with the L1, maybe because both have longer handles. Don't use that technique with an E or G.

 

There he is! TGIF! Great picture and report, Andrew.

 

Thank you, Perry!

 

Very nice report. I had some of the same suspicions that newly discovered shaving techniques would likely lead to better results on early cartridges. I think Mach III is the only one left here. I've been tempted to take it for a test drive...... Uh. Nah, not ready yet.

 

I like them a lot. I have CC Cat o Ninetails, B&M bay rum and the Atomic Age Bay Rum. They are all nice but the Atomic Age is my favorite, the wife likes it too. I did order the Jeeves of Hudson Street bay rum and tobacco bay to try them out too.

Nice pic and report! Great to see Logan and his big smile!

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Restraint? Hmm, I've heard that word before but not sure what it means.

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Thanks, Jim!

 

I think it's something to do with BDSM and "dungeon play"... Not sure how it would apply to this forum...

 

Thanks! Now I don't have to bother with looking up the definition.

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I might be. What would you want for it?

 

Great-looking brush, Andrew, but I see where you aren't 100% satisfied with it. Logan looks like a kid who beat a health issue .

 

Thanks Paul, Logan is much happier now that hes only dealing with one issue (teething). Looks aside, the Bush is OK, but it could definitely be better.

 

A song and a dance!

 

Right....the teething still exists. But y'know, I could see from the picture of him when he had the stomach issue that he was thinking to himself "I got this!". (Meaning, "I can beat it").