February 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Survey update-this baby could go right down to the wire, with 4 competitors showing scores of 40 or higher in the pct. range. Carry on!

 

Love it Perry!

 

Thirsty is easy enough to work with. No, with this stuff it's very, very easy to overdo the water. Get the water just right and you have a nice, slick lather. But squat for longevity. It was less of a problem for me with safety razors. But learning to use a straight, I'm taking my time more. So I'm also learning to value stability much more. And this stuff just doesn't cut it for me.

Sure, the hard water here is no doubt a factor. I could try distilled water. Or I could just use any of hundreds of other soaps that don't have that shortcoming.

 

yes dropping the setting next shave
already committed to voskhod for the month(plus i have a bunch of them)

for the amount of irritation it wasn't the closest shave
i'm sure there is some user error involved

still prefer straight/DARK SIDE
but participating in february focus Fat boy -ish

 

I am a straight man myself in every way.

 

February 4, 2019

Razor: '48-'49 Gillette Milord
Blade: German Wilkie (1)
Brush: 30DC LE/Pure Badger
Soap: Stirling Naked and Smooth
Post: Alum, Listerine, WH

Today seemed like a good day to pull out a razor and blade that I haven't used in a while. Fortuitously, it's a combo that worked very well. OTOH, this is only the second time that I've tried the Naked And Smooth which, if I understand correctly, is the regular Stirling soap base with no added fragrances. I think I'm going to need to work a bit to get it dialed in, but I can't complain about its performance so far. Overall, a very satisfying shave with just a bit of tingle from the Alum, though I'm inclined to blame that more on yesterday's shave.

Hopefully, I will get time tonight to try and reglue the knot in the VdH Boar.

 

Nice shave!

Thanks, Danny!

 

Nice shave, John!

 

Wonderful photo and shave Danny.


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Thanks Clint

 

Very nice shave John.


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Great Shave Robert! No point fighting with a soap that doesnt work well for you. Lifes too short, use what you love!

Very nice Chris!

Awesome shot Perry! Does the Speick AS smell like the soap ?

Good show, Joe!

Nice shave there, Nice looking Bar Tech!

Awesome shot Clint! That knot almost looks synthetic it's so light and uniform in color.

Very cool, Jim@

You make a Trac II look good, Charlie!

Awesome photo Danny! To me the 1924 shovelhead is one of the most aggressive Gem style razors out there.

 

Thanks, Andrew! Yes, the soap smells similar to the aftershave but not the exact same. The cream smells closer to the aftershave. The soap is more lavenderish to my nose.

 

Nice combo, John!

 

February 4th
British Aristocrat Jr w PermaSharp (1)
Palmolive Shave Stick
Omega Boar/Walnut handle
Thayers
Stirling Gentleman balm

Brought along some faves for travel shaves the next few days. It had only been 16 hours since my last shave so just two passes were more than sufficient for smooth results. This little boar needs a some more break it time still, but it will get there.
Have a great day all!

 

February Focus

Boellis Panama 1924~~Morris & Forndran Polo 2~~Wade & Butcher
SR #17
Following a recent usage of Cella, I decided to give the "big brother" a shot.
Boellis Panama, like Cella, is a softish soap, certainly not a cream, but you can press it.
Like Cella, it has a scent of marzipan, which is a sweet almond/cherry scent.
So, what makes this soap better, if at all? And not the fancy-schmancy bowl.
I would have to say...very little. Perhaps a slight edge of slickness goes to the Boellis.
The scent of the Boellis is similar, but perhaps a touch more "smooth".
The M&F Polo loads quite easily and created a super-rich/slick lather.

No commentary on my stropping today
The Wade & Butcher made quick work of the stubble.
No blood, no cuts, no irritation. DFS all the way.
I am still resisting the urge to perform an ATG pass, mostly because of the awkwardness holding the razor.
Result being, I can still feel some stubble when I rub against the growth pattern.
My beard hair grows extremely sideways, making a true BBS difficult thus far.
No complaints, however, as I am learning this process the old-fashioned way:
through "Trial and error".
I have watched a few Honing Videos, as nothing beats observing a pro,
especially one who can explain his/her technique clearly.
BUT, there is only one proven method for learning---and that is doing.
Spritzed some Boellis EdT afterwards. Nice juice, but little in common with the soap.
Having a grand time "learning" this new phase in my shaving life. ​

 

Nice, Jason! I can look at your photo and know it's a travel shave with the Gentleman balm.

 

Terrific photos, Joseph! You are right that experience is the best teacher. Have a great day!

 

Amen, brother.