February 2021 30 Day Rule/30 Day Focus Pic and Discussion Thread- All are Welcome | Page 351

9nein9 · Feb 24, 2021

b1hart said: ↑

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February 24th

Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements SS, ASB, AS/C - Copalli
Hoshi Tombo 8000 Kamisori
Simpson Chubby 2

Busy day…afternoon shave. Lots of work, then some yard prep for the early spring like weather coming the next 10 days.

Wanted another face lathering run with the Chubby 2 using PAA’s CK6 soap base. Started with the knot being extremely wet, loaded straight from the tub for 20ish seconds. Used a heavier splaying pressure than I do with my other brushes, created a super creamy, but still a nice wet lather with some aggressive face swirling action. 3 passes with the HT 8000, no crimson or irritation issues at all. Super smooth, surprisingly sharp shaver, almost the exact size and weight match to the Feather AC DX used yesterday. The HT shaves almost exactly like the DX (with a fresh Proline blade), particularly after the HT went through a thorough linen and leather stropping session immediately before shaving today. Quick palmful of PAA’s Star Jelly, followed with the fun aroma of Copalli. Need to rotate this fragrance more, wifey loves it (even got the comment).

Copalli is another complex fragrance from Douglas at PAA, a deep resinous woody (almost cypress) blend to my nose. PAA’s scent profile is likely more revealing, as my nose is not acquainted to all these notes. Scent Profile: Black Copal Forward, with a kiss of Palo Santo. Ethereal, Aromatic, Resinous, Ambrosial and Balsamic.
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Fantastic shave Blair

JACarbone · Feb 24, 2021

b1hart said: ↑

My turn to cook....sous vide improv time, want the chicken super tender, 3 minute pan sear before applying sauce.

Keto Tuscan Garlic Chicken

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Recipe looks good. How long did you cook the chicken in the sous vide?

JACarbone · Feb 24, 2021

myles wilson said: ↑

Got in a quick 3 pass this morning View attachment 246382
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Very nice Myles

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

JACarbone said: ↑

Recipe looks good. How long did you cook the chicken in the sous vide?
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The cooking charts I’ve used most times call for at least 1.5 hours at 140F to enable enough time/heat ratio to avoid the under cooked issues. Yesterday ended up being about 2 hours, still super tender and juicy after a 5 minute/side red hot iron skillet sear. I doubled the sauce recipe, we used the leftover for fish tonight. Super yummy sauce!

JACarbone · Feb 24, 2021

9nein9 said: ↑

View attachment 246383 Round deux or 2 of the Fatip vs Red tip challenge with the Derby extra blades.
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Switched sides this time but used same method for shaving. 1 pass for WTG and flipped razor for 1 pass ATG.
On the face ....the Red tip soldiered on across with ease and left me silky smooth...unlike its 1st appearance. Hmmm
The Fatip was starting to pull on 2nd pass and was scaring me . Binning that blade before I cut myself . Finished the 2nd pass with the Red tip.
Since I couldn't do a comparison on the head due to blade malfunction I finished my head with the Red tip. Silky smooth and the darn blade is still cutting good . 1 good blade out of 3 so far with the Derby extra counting the other I used before . At least I know the Red tip likes these blades .
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An excellent shave Patrick

Edison Carter · Feb 24, 2021

jgreenepa said: ↑

Bill, my DX with a Proguard loaded delivers incredibly close shaves, but not as close as a Feather Super when I’m taking it very slowly and carefully!
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Running the DX across the mug with a Super is almost electricity.

myles wilson · Feb 24, 2021

JACarbone said: ↑

Very nice Myles
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Thanks Joe, Hope all is well with you

myles wilson · Feb 24, 2021

Now that's wild, we saw frost in the grass this morning, quite cold and it finally hit 73 degrees today here in Georgia.

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

Primotenore said: ↑

February Focus

MWF~~Simpson H4~~Canadian Gillette Tech/Polsilver (Brown Label)~~Dehn Al Oodh Malaki
Quite an international line-up for today's shave.
From the United Kingdom: The One-of-a-kind Simpson Harvard 4 with a SiLVERTiP, Two-Band knot.
and...The Lanolin Champeen of West Yorkshire: Mitchell's Wool Fat.
From our friends north-of-the border: The Canadian Gillette Tech.
From Poland: Polsiver
From Italy: Proraso ASB
And, for the first time on this stage, from Sharjah, United Arab Emirates: Dehn Al Oodh Malaki.
Can you say detente?
Coming together and putting aside any petty grievances, this band of brothers
gave this simple, American one of the greatest shaves possible.
Hyperbole, you may say? Perhaps, but Primo just tells it like it is.
Let's take a look at the FOTD©
Swiss Arabian Dehn Al Oodh Malaki

Straight up Oud. The real McCoy.
This blurb is from the Swiss Arabian Website:
View attachment 246425
I feel like a Sheik.
Notes are as simple as they come:
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Awesomeness Joseph. Had to go check out that FOTD. Nice, very nice…..on the ‘21 acquisition list possibilities.

Trigger · Feb 24, 2021

Hembree said: ↑

Awesome shave Joe! Mad Max deserves super lather and you delivered. Take care.
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Thank you Danny! It was a very enjoyable shave.

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

9nein9 said: ↑

This is my homage to that brush
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Very nice work Patrick!

jtspartan said: ↑

February 24th
Supply V2 w Proline (2)
APShave 2Bed/Evan's Aluminum
Strop Shoppe Baker Street
Thayers
M-bombed Stirling Baker Street
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Another great shave with the Supply. I got an exceptional lather with this old Strop Shoppe soap, which isn't always the case to be honest. I had the Black Tie in their original non-tallow formula and really found it a substandard lather (full disclosure- it was NOS, but maybe a soft artisan soap isn't supposed to last 7 years before opening) but a very nice scent. This tallow version is usually 'ok' for lather in what some (well, Stirling anyway) consider to be an iconic scent. This may be a puck that benefits from consistent use. I think I have found my replacement for the Cool in a 3017 focus. 2 days a week should be sufficient and it will take me a long while. 2 out of 6 shaves a week? I guess that makes it a 1035.7 focus...
These Prolines are very smooth blades. The Supply is an easy way to use them too, as you don't have to fiddle with getting them into an injector cartridge. For those of you who don't have one- there is an injector slot in the head of this SE, but you can just loosen the nut a bit and easily get a blade in without needing an injector.
Finished with the Stirling homage. I enjoy it- less powdery, more tart that the original.
Have a great day all!
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Love the B&W image today Jason. Cool report and combination.

Silvestris said: ↑

Sandalwood Wednesday!
View attachment 246429
Relaxing 2-pass sandalwood shave with TOBS.
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Super sandalwood shave Matt. The ToBS is a classic, reminds me of my grandfather’s bathroom.

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

jgreenepa said: ↑

View attachment 246434
SOTD WEDNESDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Woke up to a beautiful sunny day here in the Philadelphia suburbs, albeit with 6-8” of snow remaining. Hopefully, it will melt in the next few days. I think I’m developing a real affection for wedges. The H. Hobson 6/8 wedge is an incredibly efficient 170 year old straight razor. One of the reasons I enjoy shaving with this old vintage razor is the feeling that I’m a caretaker for a tool used by eight generations of predecessors. This razor will pass to my son and from there hopefully to my grandson. The Hobson sheared through the mug whiskers in three efficient passes. I could have stopped after two, but I just enjoy using this old razor too much. The dome shave featured my LaResche 77 loaded with a Wilkinson Sword blade. Two effortlessly efficient passes later left me clean, refreshed and velveteen smooth.

RAZOR: H. Hobson 6/8 Wedge (Mug), LaResche 77 (Dome)
BLADE: Wilkinson Sword DE
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Rooney Ebony Pure Badger
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys Lilac WH. Finished with Pre de Provence Bergamot & Thyme AS Balm.
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Wedge straight razors shave so nice. Super smooth in my experience. Awesome example with that one Jeff!

Paul Turner said: ↑

Today, I closed out the trifecta of Stoylin Ramblin' Man soap and the matching aftershave. 0:40 of brush-swirling in the soap. With a Stoylin soap, I can be guaranteed of a nice dry lather when I first put it on my face(left cheek side). The brush, by the way, was also a Stoylin-the li'l brudder. Everything went well, until I noticed a bloody streak at the jawline under my left ear. It just showed up-that is to say I didn't think I used much pressure over there, although apparently I did. I was gradually able to work with it so that it "calmed down". Thankfully it was the only issue in the shave. Fine at Cactus Nation. The aftershave produced some extra fight at the bloody streak area, besides giving the rest of my neck and face that great Creed Himalayan smell. Very Excellent.
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Not too bad Paul, fun Stoylin setup!

Hembree said: ↑

I just received a belated birthday gift from my sister in law. I don't know if she loves me or she thinks I smell squatchy. 6 bars and a wood soap rest.
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Cool haul Danny!

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

jluc said: ↑

February 24th
Razor: Wolfman WR2 1.25
Blade: Gillette Winner (3)
Brush: PAA Atomic Rocket
Pre-shave: PAA Cube
Soap: PAA Astra Planeta
PAA Galactic Witch Hazel
PAA Astra Planeta Star Jelly
AS: PAA Astra Planeta

Final shave with the Wolfman before starting my Blackland focus. I decided to explore different shaving angles. Up until today always a shallow angle, right where muscle memory takes me. I included steep and angles in between. Really didn't notice much difference and thought to myself what a large sweetspot this razor has. Gave my face a thorough cold water rinse and reached for the alum. I can lie to myself but the alum doesn't lie. Pretty warm everywhere. Not newbie hot like I used to get when I first started out but more than the light tickle I usually get. Shallow angle from here on with the Wolfie.

Have a great day!
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Another Wednesday appearance with the AP, looking great with the Wolfman, Jim. Great read on the details.

JACarbone · Feb 24, 2021

Edison Carter said: ↑

Rare evening shave 2/23/21

Col Conk BayRum in Col Conk bowl
Omega Boar
Focus R21 Evolution shavette
GSB on 2
Stirling Lime w/menthol

Rare that I do an evening shave and then hurry through it.

This is a very cost effective setup that leaves nothing to be desired in results.

After using the Col for a month rule in Jan. It appears I put a dent in the puck. I keep working at it.

Omega boar. If there had to be only 1, this brush is at least #2.

Don’t tell the guys arguing over the honing of straights, but this $14 piece with a GSB at 4 or less outshaves any straight I’ve ever used regardless of who honed it and how it was done.

I decided to go ATG, ATG, WTG. Nice cutting, irritation at ZERO.

Whether I’m going to bed soon or heading out all masked up, citrus is hard to beat in an aftershave.

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If I had to use an economy setup, here it is.

Bom , bada, bing, bang, boom!

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Excellent shave Bill

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

clint64 said: ↑

It has been a day. Worked in my office some this morning before the appointment with the Neurologist. Trying to get in and out is stressful because something always seems to come up.

No good news or bad news from the Neurologist. While the CT scan gave me a sense of relief over the weekend, the images provided are not good enough for a diagnosis. The doctor indicated that while he does not expect anything majorly wrong, it still could be. Next steps are full blood work and report. Then a MRI of brain with and without contrast. In the meantime I was prescribed one preventative med to reduce onset of headaches and another to take if a headache comes on. So I have been to the lab to have the blood work done, went by the pharmacy to pick up the meds and scheduled the MRI for next Wednesday. Honestly I am exhausted and my head is just freaking pounding. Today went about like I expected. Any journey starts with the first step and that step was today. Now I just go forward and process the information, diagnosis and treatments as they come in. The only disappointing news was the need to limit my coffee to one cup each morning. Just damn. That was one of my few remaining vices. As if that was not bad enough, I have to abstain from alcohol over the next few weeks. Other than some on Saturday and a beer with Swati at dinner last night, she has pretty much taken the booze away from me.
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Ugh….I feel for ya Clint. Hopefully the caffeine restriction is short lived til the docs get to the bottom of the headaches and dizziness. Prayers for a simple solution to the complications.

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

Happy Birthday @Queen of Blades

jluc · Feb 24, 2021

b1hart said: ↑

Another Wednesday appearance with the AP, looking great with the Wolfman, Jim. Great read on the details.
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Thanks, Blair!
At one use a week I'm guessing five or six months left on the Astra Planeta. At least it'll be finished this year.

Sent from my SM-T510 using Tapatalk

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

Trigger said: ↑

Feb 24 SOTE

Good evening guys!

I decided to bring out my superstar tonight. It's been almost 2 months since Mad Max has been utilized.

Straight razor shave #241
10/8 Max Sprecher 1/2 Hollow BN
Catie's Bubble's Tuxedo Brush
Stirling Spice SS and AS
Dickinson's WH
Nivea ASB

I decided to do a hot water shave, but I decided to bloom the soap, to use the water as a preshave and to load the brush to facelather without the "scuttle".
1st lather for first pass View attachment 246467
2nd lather for second pass View attachment 246468

I had enough lather for 3 passes if I wanted to go that route.

Tonight was a 2 pass shave without any touchups for a BBS - shave without mishaps. I didn't want to do the 1/2 pass to go for BBS because I felt that this was close enough and didn't need another cut. Lol! After applying the wh and the asb, I topped off with this great fragrance of the matching aftershave. I like Stirling Spice SS and AS very much! They really are winners in my book! Have a great evening guys!
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Very nice Joe!

Hembree · Feb 24, 2021

I just ordered Yaqi's new SE artisan blade razor. I ordered the aluminum handle version and they offer it with a brass handle as well.

b1hart · Feb 24, 2021

Hembree said: ↑

I just ordered Yaqi's new SE artisan blade razor. I ordered the aluminum handle version and they offer it with a brass handle as well.
View attachment 246477 View attachment 246478 View attachment 246479 View attachment 246480
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Interesting….looks like a copycat version of the Blackland Vector. Can’t wait to hear the details.

What are you shaving plans for February?

I am going to finally complete a 30 (28) Day Rule.

I am going to finally finish my first tub of soap.

I am going to finally shave with a DE razor.

I am going to join the Dark Side and give straight razor shaving a try.

I am going to hone my first straight razor.

I am going to mix it up and shave with anything I want.

I am going to learn how to bake cookies from scratch.

I am abstaining from taking part in ludicrous polls.