June 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Thanks, Patrick--it's certainly been the case thus far

 

Soooo nice

 

No you don’t, Tim! Tomorrow is a different razor?

 

I like agressive razors so if I ever get back to daily shaving I stick to 1 or 2 passes to be safe . Today the blade was the star of the show. Mild razor in hand.

 

You must be proud of her Clint! Wonderful to see a young person who takes interest in people! Gives me comfort knowing the next generation cares .

 

Terrific shave Andrew!

 

Excellent shave Myles! Are you enlisting in the Marines?

 

Fantastic shaves and reports Keith! That is great that you were able to use the Valet Auto Strop per Dr. Greene's instruction.

 

Awesome shave Tim! The DD knockoff is so cool!

 

Thank you, Joe--Jason most definitely knows his way around a lathe

 

Just the Basics June!

June 14

Razor - Kai Captain (pain stick)
Blade -
Soap - Stirling Sheep
Brush - 30DC Meet UP LE w/ TGN Grade A Silvertip
Post - Alum

I'm not sure how a pain stick focus turned up inside Just the Basics June, but it appears to have done just that. I just moved right on to the Kai Captain tonight. Very similar in size to the Feather SS, this is another higher end pain stick. Different shape grip but it features a head/blade holder based on the Feather DX and CJB. No safety lip needed nor wanted on this razor. Just stayed with a Feather Pro blade. I've used the Kai AC blades and they are excellent, but I think the Feathers are just a tad better. Maybe half a tad, whatever that is. For the soap and brush combination I decided to name it SHEEP SUNDAY and use the Stirling Sheep for that mutton tallow awesomeness! The 30DC Meet Up LE handle with the Silvertip knot was a true joy to use and I could have done 6 passes before running out of lather. As it was I just did three passes, then a light fourth more for touch up and just to keep playing around. Ended very near BBS and the alum was mostly quiet, except for one small slip near my goatee where I had a shaky set down. Nothing major, just a drop of blood and a sting from the alum. Other than that, a fantastic shave.

The new week dawns. Go get it!

​

 

I love the pain stick focus!

The Kai Captain is a nice looking kami, and Stirling's mutton tallow formula is the bees knees--used it today myself.

 

Great minds think and act alike.

 

Not that it matters a whole lot, but that brush wasn’t a Dubl Duck dupe per se. I made it middle of March with another two tone that is probably closer to a DD (Post #617 of Brushmakers forum, if interested). Didn’t mail it until June 1st due to pandemic restrictions.
It is definitely inspired by the classic shapes of the past though, no question.

 

All I know is that it's a gorgeous brush, and a phenomenal performer--I want all those years I avoided boar brushes back

 

That Omega ‘48 is about as big as they get. If you like it, a ‘49 or ‘98 are also excellent but a touch smaller.

 

Thanks for the clarification Jason.

 

June 15

Early good morning guys!

Straight Razor Shave #+180
Joseph Elliott Square Pt Full Hollow
Barbury Synthetic Brush
Stirling Piacenza SS and AS

I was not going to shave until Tuesday because I wanted to see what the Mad Max would do with 3 days growth. Anyway, I had mentioned earlier that this razor was in very bad shape. It had a big chip with a few minor ones as well. It was given to me by a friend and I accepted it because I didn't want to appear ungrateful. At the time, I thought this razor would never shave because I wasn't an experienced honer and to get ot professionally repaired would be prohibitive. Anyway, I continued working on this razor to see if I could get it shave ready and lo and behold I did. It took a lot of hours to really get it done. Unfortunately, I dropped the razor and the tip at the spike broke off so I had to mute it because it was really sharp. Anyway, after 2.5 passes I ended with an
IBSS. Went back and hit the razor with the milder grits, then hit the fabric, then crox, then fabric and finally leather to finish the shave. I ended with an IBSS++ with no irritation, but got weeps during the fool's pass. No biggie. Finished with the aftershave. I can't believe that I got a decent shave with this razor. She may not be pretty, but she still has life in her. Well, that is my first successful restoration project. I am shocked to say the least. I think that I will fine tune her later on to see if I can get her somewhat sharper. I guess this razor will be a member of my den. This would make 15 straight razors in my possession. Now, I have to stay off Ebay because I would look for not ready for prime time straight razor bargains. Lol! Have a great day guys!