January 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Terrific picture, Adam!

 

Thank you, Tim! I am not 100% about the big foot, but it definitely looks like Big Foot (not that I have ever actually met Big Foot).

It is possible it is a giant Christmas elf, though.

 

Keep your knees locked, Paul, and where are your training shoes? Gotta watch the technique, even while training at home on snow days.

 

Jan 8th

Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements - PS (Tube 2.0), SS CK-6, ASB (Star Jelly), AS/C - Malbolge
Zenith Synthetic
Feather AC DX (Kamisori style)
Feather Super Pro
Clubman Styptic Pencil

2.5 pass BBS shave today. Always trepidation when using this unassuming bad boy. First use (11 months ago)....the razor won. Quit after 2 back to back set down errors, and that was only 4 strokes in while trying to learn on the flats of my cheek! No forgiveness in this razor's personality. Today, extremely minor weeper on flat of my chin. Fixed itself while shaving. New brush, a Zenith 27.5mm synthetic. I wonder....does Zenith and Omega share the Evo knot (or maybe a previous Omega synthetic knot)? Zenith (which pre-dates Omega) is also an Italian company, and uses Pennellificio Pandolfo as their manufacturer....and there are some Pennellificio mentions on the Omega website. Things that make you go hmm.... Anyways, used a PAA scentless CK-6 formulation soap. The thought behind this purchase....use scentless CK-6 (or add a few drops of AS/C during lathering), and only purchase the after shaves. Worked, right up til the BFCM sale, but the Malbolge was the odd purchase out, as I raked in a couple other more desired fragrances. Excellent face lathering today between with PAA CK-6 and the Zenith. Super slick and great face feel, even buffing slightly between swipes. Finished with PAA's Star Jelly and a healthy dose of AS/C Malbolge.

Not sure the Malbolge fragrance has been described yet...here's the official one from PAA: Tobacco, Citrus, Anise, Musk, Patchouli, Burnt Sugar, Black Pepper & Benzoin Resin. My nose gets the burnt sugar first, then a mix of tobacco & pepper. The others are tough to pick out. Very nice, it'll be a repurchase.

Hope everyone has a Wonderful Wednesday!

 

I came into open edge shaving from straights. Spent a couple of grand on razors and sharpening supplies.

I don't regret it, nor do I recommend it.

I found a $13 shavette that I really like with a GSB. Learning curve would be similar. I usually recommend folks to go slow and steady progress for a 100 day commitment, similar to the 30DC philosophy. Some folks are good enough to totally nail it in a couple of weeks, just not me.

Focus R21 Evolution

Recessed blade, guarded corners.
Mild for an edge forward tool.
Shaves well.

 

Nice work!

 

My dad tells a story of when he and my uncle were hunting around Battle Mountain, Nevada, and saw something very much like Bigfoot at a distance. The story always ends with, "Now look. I'm not saying it was actually bigfoot, but..."

 

January 8th
Barbasol Floating Head w Astra (3)
APShaveCo Badger-Boar mix/ Resin & Sapele
Jeeves Key Lime
Thayers
'Enhanced' Florida Water

First use of a new brush. I poured a couple Green resin blanks and made 3 brushes with them this weekend. I'm keeping this one as I've been holding onto this 24mm badger/boar blend knot for awhile now. Gave it one test lather Monday night to make sure everything held together properly and it didn't smell super funky so I decided to dive right in with it today.
Whipped up the usual, quality Jeeves lather and had 3 pleasant and event-free passes that have left me quite smooth indeed. The brush is quite skritchy, as you would expect from an unbroken-in boar. I think I'm going to like it, but I'll reserve final judgement until it is fully broken in.
I finished with the Florida Water, which I have long since glycerined and mentholated. Love it, but it is now the most mentholated thing in my den. Time to switch blades, so I might as well switch razors and give the new Occam's a run for a few days again.
Have a great day all!

 

Great black and white photo, Danny!

 

Excellent shave, Jeff!

 

Terrific picture and report, Blair! Congrats on the great shave!

 

Awesome shave, Blair. Great photo, too! That Kamisori looks super cool (I gave up on shavettes because I'm a bit impatient in the mornings when I've got to be out the door--impatience and shavettes didn't match well for me )

 

Great work, Jason! The brush looks fantastic!

 

Love that Fuzztech! Great shave and summary, Danny!

 

Great shave, Adam! Not being a straight razor shaver, I can imagine you’re pleased with the edge, but not so much with the bite. Sounds minor. Have a good day at work! I’m hosting a local MOLC ( Men of Leisure Club aka Old Retired Geezer) lunch in about another hour and a half!

 

Excellent picture, Blair!

 

Wonderful picture, Jason!

 

Fantastic progress, Joe! It's rewarding when you adjust your technique and make progress. @mantic's videos have been most helpful to me also. I'm glad you're here with us, and thanks for sharing, my friend.

 

Yes, the handles certainly look the same. I have a Zenith that has the same looking handle, only in white plastic. I guess the question is whether the handles are produced by someone else and both Mondial and Zenith buy them, or whether one is just a rebranded version of the other.

 

Great shave, Gary! I’ve always been a Cremo fan. Great traveling product.