January 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

No, Glen did. He als did the satin finish polish on the steel and honed it. I made a 3/8 inch thick two layer leather gun belt to trade for the work. We were both pretty happy with that.

 

SOTD January 5, 2019
Alphabetical journey through soaps and creams
Letter B

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: GEM PTFE
Razor: GEM G-Bar
Brush: JR #60 synthetic
Soap: Barrister and Mann Patches
Post: Witch hazel, Stirling Black Pepper Lime aftershave
Bowl: Boise Mudworks

Last letter B shave. Believe it or not this is my first use of any Barrister and Mann product. @BaylorGator included this sample in the last package. I pulled about a nickel's worth and bowl lathered with the JR #60 synthetic. Water directly on the soap and none in the brush, adding water directly to the bowl allowing the brush to do the work. That method has been used by @Bama Samurai in the past with Route 66 soaps. It worked quite well today.

Nice and hydrated lather. Did the job in fine fashion. Now.... not sure I'll beat down the door to go out and buy a bunch of Barrister and Mann software. I found it be good soap and did a great job today, but it's not better - for me - than Stirling and I have too much soap to add a new vendor to the den at the moment. I'm very thankful for the sample and the chance to try it.

Went with some Stirling Black Pepper Lime to keep the theme going. This particular scent is likely one that won't last in my den. Earthy scent...sort of odd in my opinion. But a nice shave overall.

We've got a play date set up for Wilson for lunch at a local park. Then my parents are coming over to watch him so Alice and I can go to a bourbon tasting at a friend's house. I'm a bourbon fan, but she's not, so she'll likely have champagne. Should be a great day!

 

Thank you, Perry!

 

No major crisis, but we are doing an expansion at the refinery, so the work load is picking up. It will have some ups and downs the next year, then mostly busy times for a year of two.

 

Great picture, Paul!

 

Excellent razor, Adam! Is a new acquisition coming?

 

Way to break out the Tabac, Gary!

 

Thank you, Mark! It so the original Mamba. I am trying g to resist any new razors for a while.

 

Terrific picture!

 

It’s great to hear how much progress your making Charlie.

 

Perry, great shave today. Thanks for the comments on the B&M soap. I'd say B&M overall gets 50/50 reviews. Some like it. Some don't. I've only had one B&M soap - the Bay Rum - and I didn't care for the scent. I think I'll cross this brand off my radar list in favor of some other vendors I already know that I like.

Have a great time today with Wilson and with Alice and your friends at the bourbon tasting. Please report back on the bourbons you've tried. I have an occasional sip. I've read that moderation here is beneficial for heart attack and stroke risk. Knowing my family history, I've taken some steps to ensure I practice extreme moderation. I currently have Maker's, Blanton's and Weller 12 at home. On on my radar is Four Roses Single Barrel since I visited that distillery. I recently eliminated all the Jim Beam products from my radar based on my visit to that distillery. YMMV definitely applies here too.

 

My hint for the new find is that at the moment, it both is a razor and is not a razor. That second part makes me still eligible for NB19, I think.

I can’t find the picture of the Look on my phone. It always makes me laugh too.

 

Thank you, Paul!

 

Thanks, Charlie! I didn't dislike the B&M but rather didn't find it compelling enough to seek out.

You have some good bourbons on hand! Blanton's and Weller are great. Those are expensive down here in Alabama. Actually don't think Weller is available here. I'm bring some Few whiskey and Koval rye that we bought in Chicago. Someone else is bringing Larceny, but that's all I remember at the moment. I'll report back later.

Like you, I have to watch out with my family history.

 

Wonderful shave and photo Perry. I am with you on B&M soaps. The only B&M soap that I would consider repurchasing is Seville.

 

January 5, 2019
OREN 2 Dot Plate
Feather Professional
Thäter Boar
SDM
Dominica Grandy Bay Rum

​

I slept in later and have been generally lazy this morning. I did manage to get in a shower and shave just before noon. A truly "Epic" shave this morning. The SDM loaded and lathered easily. Three passes and touch ups ended with a perfect BBS shave. While the OREN looks like a vegetable peeler, it flat delivers a superb shave. A splash of Dominica Grand Bay Rum and I am now officially smooth shaven, smelling good and ready for a lazy afternoon. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

 

I agree with your assessment, Perry. As far as soaps go, to me, B&M and Stirling are pretty comparable quality soaps. What makes B&M stand out is a stable of really complex, original, and unique scents. I didn’t find the strawberry one I sent you particularly compelling, but many of them are. Like anything unique, they can be polarizing and “hit and miss”. The hits, though are some of my favorites.

 

January 5, 2018

Razor: QShave Futur clone
Blade: 7 o'Clock Permasharp (3)
Brush: Razorock Plissoft 22
Soap: Stirling Sheep
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

I finally received the QShave adjustable from @NCoxSTL yesterday (Thanks again, Neal!) and gave it a go today. It's an interesting razor which looks intimidating until you actually put a blade in it. As I look at it, there is the appearance of a lot of gap but a pretty small guard span and what seems like neutral blade exposure. It gives the appearance of being Thor's hammer but is actually a nice weight and balance.

I started off on a setting of 1.0 (range of 0.5 to 6) and found it too mild for my taste. After a couple of mid-shave adjustments, I ended up settling on a setting of 3.0. Two passes to a near-enough BBS with no issues or irritation. I can see why people like these so much.

 

Great job Adam.