August 2018 30 Day Rule/focus Pix & Discussion

Norcalnewb · Aug 16, 2018

NCoxSTL said: ↑

I know a few others have answered but here's my two cents. For what it's worth. Probably less than a penny. My experience in testing nearly every blade known to mankind, coupled with all of the time I've spent working the technique trumps tools theory, has led me to the following conclusions. As long as the razor (otherwise known as the thing that holds the blade) isn't broken or defective, and you have solid and consistent technique, any reasonably well made blade will deliver a shave that will be acceptable at the least, and excellent at the most. Now, that doesn't mean some blades aren't better than others but what is "better"? That depends on what works for each individual. Some people value smoothness over sharpness. So, a Derby blade might be the best choice for them. Some prefer sharpness over everything else. Feather, Kai, Voskhod, and a few others come to mind.

When we talk about defective tools we also have to include blades in that category as well. Here are a few blades that are defective/bad/broken/horrible or whatever you want to call them. Flying Eagle, Tiger, Quick Tiger, and nearly every Chinese made and named blade you'll find. I would also personally add Gillette Rubie to that list but others love the Rubie. There's your personal preference and performance we talk about. However, the list of defective ones I just gave is pretty much a universally accepted "avoid these blades" list. Many of us have suffered to discover that.

If I remember what I've already read you've decided to stick with Astra SP blades for now. Great choice, in my humble opinion, as I always have those in bulk and use them for my head shave without exception (unless I decide to go pain stick) because of how well they perform for me. Get your technique dialed in then expand out a bit. Try some other Russians, some of the Treets, Bic, and whatever else you're curious about. You'll find they all have their benefits and some will suit you better than others.
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jtface said: ↑

OK, so first of all... Apologies for the colossal multi-quote - I just want to make sure I respond to the enormous amounts of people offering help and support with my new rule, and I apologise in advance for anyone I miss!

I will definitely do this! I have found that pushing an Astra to 4 shaves with my crappy technique led to a significantly poorer shave!

That's a cool way to look at it. Is it ever likely that I get a bad blade from Astra? Or is their quality control pretty good?

Thanks, Bruce. I didn't mean because it's a newbie blade... More to be able to justify to myself the act of buying/trying new blades.

After watching all of those videos on skin stretching and straight razor shaving, I can safely say that it is something I want to give a go in the future!

That's cool! Ever found a defective Astra?

I'm definitely always on the look out for products to care for my skin (on my face anyway)! I'll bear that in mind for when I get the irritation down the hard way! Thank you, Charlie.

Haha, I look forward to it!

Will do! Thanks.

I'll definitely stick with the Astra for 3 shaves then bin! Thanks
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I haven't had a defective Astra. In reality the only the defective blades have been one or two of the brands Neal mentioned.

Screwtape · Aug 16, 2018

jtface said: ↑

Random question... Does anyone know if @PanChango is still using his Gem Micromatic Clog Pruf? I recall he was attempting to use it for a year with the GEM PTFE SE blades!
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I believe he got to about the six month mark, then got bored and started changing up razors again.

clint64 · Aug 16, 2018

jluc said: ↑

That's a cool looking razor, Clint! Looking forward to your report.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
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Thank you Jim.

jluc said: ↑

August 15th
Razor: Timeless .95 SC
Blade: Shark Super Stainless (3)
Brush: Maseto Finest
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: Shannon's Soaps Etherea
Stirling Orange Chill witch hazel
AS: Shannon's Soaps Etherea

Good evening, gentlemen!

Great two pass shave this evening! I didn't do as good a job on my neck tonight but I'm still calling it a DFS!

Slow improvement with my left hand but it is improved.

Have a great night!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Excellent photo.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

clint64 · Aug 16, 2018

jtspartan said: ↑

August 15th
Travel SOTD
Prewar Canadian Tech w Nacet (1)
Palmolive SS
Semogue Boar
Thayers
Stirling Gentleman AS
View attachment 172559
Hotel shaves the next several days. Packed a few different software combos and brought the Semogue boar this week in an attempt to break it in a little more. It was a Shavey Award from @BaylorGator and seems like it will be a good size for a travel brush.
The Palmolive performed as well as it always does, and I had an effortless 2 1/2 pass shave finished with the excellent Gentleman. I’ve maybe had shaves that have been a little closer, but this is one smooth razor/blade/soap combo.
Have a great day tomorrow all!
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Wonderful photo Jason. That’s a really great travel lineup.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jluc · Aug 16, 2018

clint64 said: ↑

Thank you Jim.

Excellent photo.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Thanks, Clint.

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

wristwatchb · Aug 16, 2018

jtspartan said: ↑

August 15th
Travel SOTD
Prewar Canadian Tech w Nacet (1)
Palmolive SS
Semogue Boar
Thayers
Stirling Gentleman AS
View attachment 172559
Hotel shaves the next several days. Packed a few different software combos and brought the Semogue boar this week in an attempt to break it in a little more. It was a Shavey Award from @BaylorGator and seems like it will be a good size for a travel brush.
The Palmolive performed as well as it always does, and I had an effortless 2 1/2 pass shave finished with the excellent Gentleman. I’ve maybe had shaves that have been a little closer, but this is one smooth razor/blade/soap combo.
Have a great day tomorrow all!
Click to expand...

Nice travel setup, Jason! Have safe travels this week.

PLAla · Aug 16, 2018

SOTD August 16, 2018

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: Schick
Razor: Schick G5 injector
Brush: Stirling Kong synthetic
Soap: First Canadian Shave Maximo Gomez
Post: Witch hazel, RazoRock Zi' Peppino aftershave

Jason, @jtspartan, sent me a sample of this First Canadian Maximo Gomez soap to try out. Great stuff! Loaded quickly and easily in the brush and then face lathered like a dream. Slick lather with nice post-shave feel. I'm impressed with it and enjoyed trying it out! It's a sample big enough for a good amount of shaves, so it'll show up here fairly often. Thanks, Jason!

The G5 worked quite well and everything came together for an easy shave. Hope you have a great day!

FaceScraper · Aug 16, 2018

Screwtape said: ↑

Wednesday noon August 15 -- almost entire Supply Provision Co. day

Supply Co. v2 matte black interchangeable injector on plate #2 / Personna (4)
Supply Co. Silvertip Fiber synthetic 26mm brush
Kent/MWF in beechwood tub
Supply Co. Post Shave Healing Balm - Lost Provence

Every now and then, when I am using a modern razor from one of the companies that tries to sell everything needed for a shave, I will do a day where I just use that company's products. Rockwell is one of those companies -- in addition to razors, it now sells brushes, cream or soap, and post-shave balms. So does Supply Co. I was going to do a complete Supply Co. day today, but my soap and creams from it are buried deep in my soap and cream boxes and I was too lazy to dig through to find them. So it was an almost complete Supply Co. day with the MWF on my sink top subbing in for the Supply Co. cream I would otherwise have used.

Good shave. The Supply Co. brush uses Muhle-type silvertip fibres, which were the first generation of synthetic brush fibres that truly acted like animal hairs - badger in this case . There are a lot of other good fibres on the market now, but the silvertip fibres originally developed by Muhle are still an excellent choice. This is one of those brushes that I don't use enough simply because I have so many others to play with. If somebody only wanted one brush though, this would not be a bad choice. For that matter, if a new wetshaver does outfit himself entirely from the Supply Co. site, he can shave for the rest of his life without fear that he is "missing out" on a brush, razor, cream, balm, etc. that would be "better". (That's true of Rockwell's offerings too, come to think of it.)

I did two passes as usual today, but paid more attention to stretching the skin and keeping the razor pressure non-existent. I ended up with a DFS as good as yesterday but without any of the irritation. No need to test for errors with the alum. Also no need for an application of Thayers Witch Hazel to cool things down. I did use the Supply Co. balm, but only because I enjoy it and not because I really needed it. Lost Provence is one of my favourite scents -- a mix of blue sage and lavender.

Hope everybody is doing well on the Hump Day of the week!
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Wonderful write-up, John!

FaceScraper · Aug 16, 2018

Screwtape said: ↑

I received a surprise gift in the mail today. At the beginning of the year, I did a PIF for new members of a small Muhle black fibre synthetic shaving brush and added a Gillette Tech, Arko, some blades and some balm to make it a complete shaving kit. It was won by Alex @AlDm from Russia.

@Vlasta has been making an aluminum version of the Rubberset 400 that he is now ready to start selling. He had a few shavers test a prototype earlier, and then in July he set up a pass-around to allow more shavers to try his brush, comment on it (and if they liked the pass-around trial, maybe buy their own ). Alex had been one of the shavers who tested the prototype, and when I said I would be interested in the Pass-around, he contacted me and told me he would PIF me his prototype.

It arrived today. Alex had included not only the prototype brush but also a Complete Russian Shaving Kit -- three packs each of Rapira Swedish Supersteel and Gillette Rubie Plus blades, three creams sold domestically in Russia, and even a shaving cloth and some kind of Russian 3-pc razor in a tin travel box! I promised Vlasta I would review the brush when I received it, but it looks like I will have to do some Russian Shaving Days too!

View attachment 172538

First impressions: The brush is absolutely beautiful. Flawless fit and polish on the aluminum, the interchangeable ferrule screws on and off easily (I believe Vlasta's sale versions come with three ferrules with or without choice of badger, boar, horse and synthetic knots), and the badger knot supplied by Vlasta seems on brief testing to have lots of both backbone and softness.

Edited to add: Alex @AlDm sent me a PM with a bit of extra information about the razor. Apparently it is late Communist Era manufacture, being made in the Ukraine during the period of Perestroika in the late 1980s to early 1990s. From its appearance, it is a very standard sort of 3-piece design with a top cap and baseplate that are most likely made of some form of Zamac or pot metal. Could be aluminum but I don't think so.

I will have to try it and see how it shaves...
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Congrats on the new gear - and neat story behind it! Awesome looking brush, too. I look forward to your thoughts on all the products you received.

FaceScraper · Aug 16, 2018

wristwatchb said: ↑

August 15

G3 Gillette Fatboy
Perma-Sharp Super Stainless (1)
JR #160 Louisville Slugger handle with Omega 10098 boar knot
Le Père Lucien - unscented
Thayers Lavender witch hazel, Trumper Coral Skin Food, and unrefined shea butter

Same set up, routine, and results. I had planned to move from setting 7 to 9 with this shave. I didn't have my glasses on (I need them for close up work), gave the adjustment knob two clicks, and proceeded to complete the shave on setting 5. I noticed it after the shave was complete. Donning glasses, I went ahead and adjusted the Fatboy to setting Neal for tomorrow's shave.

I'm on the next-to-last Perma-Sharp Super blade in my stash. I have so many other blades that I'll likely never come back to these again. It's a fine Russian blade and just a tad behind Polsilver Super Iridium in sharpness and smoothness, IMO.

LPL shaving soap is analogous to P74 DE blades. It just keeps going. Thankfully, it's a wonderful soap, and I don't mind continuing to use it.

In honor of @Bama Samurai, I eradicated a colony of wasps setting up shop on my front porch. However, I deviated from the British Best Practice shared yesterday. I drank two large cups of coffee, grabbed my pressurized can of wasp eradicator, and hit my target from about 8 feet. Annihilation resulted. I was left feeling the need to pay some type of tribute to the UK and @jtface for the award-winning Best Practice, so I went inside and had a bowl of Irish Oatmeal for breakfast. This evening, I rescued my Bride from a large brown spider passing through our basement. He thought he was entering a redneck abode, but it turned out to be Hotel California for him.

Looking back on this day's events, how would I describe myself? Manly. Rugged. Fearless. Braggadocio. Heroic. Tactical. Lionhearted. BBS. Nearly Blind.
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Very entertaining report, Charlie!

FaceScraper · Aug 16, 2018

jluc said: ↑

August 15th
Razor: Timeless .95 SC
Blade: Shark Super Stainless (3)
Brush: Maseto Finest
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: Shannon's Soaps Etherea
Stirling Orange Chill witch hazel
AS: Shannon's Soaps Etherea

Good evening, gentlemen!

Great two pass shave this evening! I didn't do as good a job on my neck tonight but I'm still calling it a DFS!

Slow improvement with my left hand but it is improved.

Have a great night!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Awesome photo, Jim!

jluc · Aug 16, 2018

FaceScraper said: ↑

Awesome photo, Jim!
Click to expand...

Thank you, Bruce!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

FaceScraper · Aug 16, 2018

jtspartan said: ↑

August 15th
Travel SOTD
Prewar Canadian Tech w Nacet (1)
Palmolive SS
Semogue Boar
Thayers
Stirling Gentleman AS
View attachment 172559
Hotel shaves the next several days. Packed a few different software combos and brought the Semogue boar this week in an attempt to break it in a little more. It was a Shavey Award from @BaylorGator and seems like it will be a good size for a travel brush.
The Palmolive performed as well as it always does, and I had an effortless 2 1/2 pass shave finished with the excellent Gentleman. I’ve maybe had shaves that have been a little closer, but this is one smooth razor/blade/soap combo.
Have a great day tomorrow all!
Click to expand...

Hard to go wrong with that travel setup, Jason! Also noted that the Gentleman balm is along for the trip.

clint64 · Aug 16, 2018

PLAla said: ↑

SOTD August 16, 2018

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: Schick
Razor: Schick G5 injector
Brush: Stirling Kong synthetic
Soap: First Canadian Shave Maximo Gomez
Post: Witch hazel, RazoRock Zi' Peppino aftershave

Jason, @jtspartan, sent me a sample of this First Canadian Maximo Gomez soap to try out. Great stuff! Loaded quickly and easily in the brush and then face lathered like a dream. Slick lather with nice post-shave feel. I'm impressed with it and enjoyed trying it out! It's a sample big enough for a good amount of shaves, so it'll show up here fairly often. Thanks, Jason!

The G5 worked quite well and everything came together for an easy shave. Hope you have a great day!

View attachment 172549
Click to expand...

Great picture Perry. The G5 just looks fantastic. Love the color.

FaceScraper · Aug 16, 2018

PLAla said: ↑

SOTD August 16, 2018

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: Schick
Razor: Schick G5 injector
Brush: Stirling Kong synthetic
Soap: First Canadian Shave Maximo Gomez
Post: Witch hazel, RazoRock Zi' Peppino aftershave

Jason, @jtspartan, sent me a sample of this First Canadian Maximo Gomez soap to try out. Great stuff! Loaded quickly and easily in the brush and then face lathered like a dream. Slick lather with nice post-shave feel. I'm impressed with it and enjoyed trying it out! It's a sample big enough for a good amount of shaves, so it'll show up here fairly often. Thanks, Jason!

The G5 worked quite well and everything came together for an easy shave. Hope you have a great day!

View attachment 172549
Click to expand...

Fantastic photo, Perry! Your G5 looks so cool with that blue handle!

clint64 · Aug 16, 2018

August 16, 2018
Occam’s Razor V2 (O.R.E.N.)
Feather Super Pro
Rudy Vey Rover with TGN Finest
Oleo El Caballero
Captain’s Choice Bay Rum

Working from my office today which allowed me more time to fully enjoy the new razor. When using a new razor, I always use a traditional 3 pass shave routine. I decided to stay with the 2 dot plate and paired it with a new Feather Super Pro blade. From the first stroke it was clear this combo has some serious blade feel. Certainly more blade feel than the General with the same blade. The angle was easy to find an maintain. The funky handle provided good control. Much easier than my Classic Cobra with its stylized handle. Three passes and touch ups along my jawline left only my lower right neck, aka "My Nemesis" stoping this from being an epic shave. I couldn't help myself and reapplied lather to my neck and buffed it smooth. A truly epic shave. I fully admit I am biased and love artist club razors so its not a big surprise that I like this razor. I can already tell, I am going to like this razor. A splash of CC Bay Rum and I am off to the office. I hope everyone has a great Thursday.

Vlasta · Aug 16, 2018

FaceScraper said: ↑

Congrats on the new gear - and neat story behind it! Awesome looking brush, too. I look forward to your thoughts on all the products you received.
Click to expand...

I am so happy to see MY brush making people happy!! This one has had some journey via Russia too. Amazing. Give me a good review about what you like the most about it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Norcalnewb · Aug 16, 2018

PLAla said: ↑

SOTD August 16, 2018

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: Schick
Razor: Schick G5 injector
Brush: Stirling Kong synthetic
Soap: First Canadian Shave Maximo Gomez
Post: Witch hazel, RazoRock Zi' Peppino aftershave

Jason, @jtspartan, sent me a sample of this First Canadian Maximo Gomez soap to try out. Great stuff! Loaded quickly and easily in the brush and then face lathered like a dream. Slick lather with nice post-shave feel. I'm impressed with it and enjoyed trying it out! It's a sample big enough for a good amount of shaves, so it'll show up here fairly often. Thanks, Jason!

The G5 worked quite well and everything came together for an easy shave. Hope you have a great day!

View attachment 172549
Click to expand...

Excellent picture, Perry!

Norcalnewb · Aug 16, 2018

clint64 said: ↑

August 16, 2018
Occam’s Razor V2 (O.R.E.N.)
Feather Super Pro
Rudy Vey Rover with TGN Finest
Oleo El Caballero
Captain’s Choice Bay Rum

Working from my office today which allowed me more time to fully enjoy the new razor. When using a new razor, I always use a traditional 3 pass shave routine. I decided to stay with the 2 dot plate and paired it with a new Feather Super Pro blade. From the first stroke it was clear this combo has some serious blade feel. Certainly more blade feel than the General with the same blade. The angle was easy to find an maintain. The funky handle provided good control. Much easier than my Classic Cobra with its stylized handle. Three passes and touch ups along my jawline left only my lower right neck, aka "My Nemesis" stoping this from being an epic shave. I couldn't help myself and reapplied lather to my neck and buffed it smooth. A truly epic shave. I fully admit I am biased and love artist club razors so its not a big surprise that I like this razor. I can already tell, I am going to like this razor. A splash of CC Bay Rum and I am off to the office. I hope everyone has a great Thursday.
Click to expand...

Beautiful picture, Clint!

Norcalnewb · Aug 16, 2018

August 16 SOTD:

Razor: Gillette Slim
Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless
Brush: Razorock Plissoft
Lather: Arko
Aftershave: Aqua Velva Ice Blue/Musk mix
Additional Care:
Osage Rub
Stirling Unscented PSB

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August 2018 30 Day Rule/focus Pix & Discussion

What's your choice of an adjustable for August?

Fatboy

Slim

Black Beauty

Toggle

Schick "M"

More than one

Something else

Dedicated Dark Sider - straights all the way!

Arko with whatever I use.

Cookies. They're real. We saw them. There's proof.

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

clint64 Blind Squirrel

clint64 Blind Squirrel

jluc smelling pretty

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

jluc smelling pretty

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

clint64 Blind Squirrel

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

clint64 Blind Squirrel

Vlasta Well-Known Member

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

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August 2018 30 Day Rule/focus Pix & Discussion

What's your choice of an adjustable for August?

Fatboy

Slim

Black Beauty

Toggle

Schick "M"

More than one

Something else

Dedicated Dark Sider - straights all the way!

Arko with whatever I use.

Cookies. They're real. We saw them. There's proof.

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

clint64 Blind Squirrel

clint64 Blind Squirrel

jluc smelling pretty

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

PLAla Bit Shy of a Full Puck

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

jluc smelling pretty

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

clint64 Blind Squirrel

FaceScraper Well-Known Member

clint64 Blind Squirrel

Vlasta Well-Known Member

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

Norcalnewb Magnanimous Moos

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