April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Taskmaster.

 

So my focus is on the Feather Artist Club this month, but I think I am going to use a different razor tomorrow. Freshly back from getting honed and repined. Can I get a pass on this one?

 

Waited all week for my barber shop straight shave. It is certainly a dfs, but not BBS like I can get with my de setup. I will say that I'm now interested in at least trying to learn or spend a month of focus.

I'll post somewhere more appropriate on suggestions for first straight razors and reasons for each suggestion.
Cheers,
Eric

 

Certainly, you get a pass. How could you resist?

 

Well if you really feel it's necessary I'll let you have a pass this time.

 

Friday night's shave was using the SuperSpeed, and a new Lord Platinum blade. The shave was good, and I realize that both DE razors are great..... I just have more experience with the Krona.... Here it is, 6 hours post shave and the face only has a little whisker action. A DFS to say the least.

 

Razor: Bluebeards Revenge
Blade: Wilkinson Black
Brush: WD Marble Handle Silvertip, 24/67
Cream: Bluebeards Revenge
A/S: Lucky Tiger

Day-14, Started shaving last night with a new Wilkinson Blade and it started pulling right away. Had to change the blade and everything went well. Still like the PSO, razor. brush, cream, and really like the The Lucky Tiger. Lucky Tiger also make a very good lip chap which I purchased when I bought the A/S.

 

FB focus day 18:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling San Antonio SS
WD Silvertip
FB w/Astra SP set on 5
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill AS

A couple of first time uses for me today. The San Antonio SS was great. The performance I expect from Stirling, and the scent is just great. It is like a unique candy, but not too sweet. A lot of fun. I also used the Glacial Lemon Chill AS for the first time. I have some Stirling Bay Rum, and this is the AS that burns the most of all of my AS, but I like it. The Glacial is no different, until that Menthol coolness kicks in. Then it is a bit of fire and ice: Fantastic! It is colder than the Osage Rub, so it moves to the top of that list. The scent is great as well. My face is still chilled.

I also dialed up one click on the FB. Good shave, but I am going to go one more tomorrow to see how that plays out.

 

Automatic!

 

Arko April!!

Late post for Day 2, blade three, 53 tech!
And plan for Saturday!
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Still on the road...took a detour through Alabama to see my family. Back to KY on Monday for a couple days. I used the Arko as a stick again and was still very impressed by the performance. The Tech is milder than the injectors I used for the last couple months, but provides really nice shaves with the vintage platinum plus...

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One thing I have really enjoyed this trip is Mennen Skin Bracer. I was a little lazy and just used the travel bottle I had filled with Skin Bracer. It's menthol blast is fairly potent...and besides, I like all things old school! @Jayaruh is where I got the idea to use the little spray bottles for AS, a great tip. He even makes cool labels for his spray bottles, you see them on SOTD often. I am loving this kit, and ready to have a great day here in Alabama!

I hope everyone has a great weekend!
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But you can always trouble us with straight razor stuff...we love shaving!

 

I did a month with a Slim earlier this year and found that settings 8 or 9 was most comfortable for me...it will be interesting to see your reaction as you open up the razor to be more aggressive. I was surprised because I started on 3, but found that the razor got easier for me as the aggressiveness dialed up. Before that, most if my shaves had been with mild razors. And much like you... I love menthol! Thanks for your thoughts on Stirling!

 

I didn't want to post without researching other previous posts. Really the only question I have is when starting, is it better to go with a traditional straight or an injector straight? I saw a couple of links for whipped dog and gem customs for cost effective straights and beginner honing tools. Is it that tough to keep a straight shave ready sharp? Is there certain qualities to look for when buying the first one or more like safety shaving experience when I started then found things that I liked and then sought those razors out.

 

It's my understanding that they are similar, yet very different in practice! I have an idea...

Could @HolyRollah or maybe @gssixgun share their thoughts on straights versus shavettes for the 30 day board?

 

April 18th , SOTD (Shave 8 of the focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Wade and Butcher 5/8 Square point (post 1890)
Strop: Oiled Red Latigo and Linen- 20 laps on linen, 30 on leather
Razor: Gillette Red Tip- B2 (1956)
DE Blade: 7am- Stropped 30 times per edge (1st shave on blade)
Soap: Barrister and Mann Fireside
Brush: Tulip Wood Brush- TGN Best Badger Knot 22mm x 54mm loft
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block
Aftershave: Iced Pinaud Clubman

Where do I get the new punch on my man card?

Went fairly slow on the stropping on the straight, but I am sure it will speed up. Love the sound it makes. The grip on this is different than the Feather Artist Club Kamasori I have been using, but it is easier to shave around facial hair. I did two passes with the straight, N/S and S/N. Honestly had a DFS, almost BBS everywhere except on my chin. I have a horseshoe mustache, so it is challenging to get between the bars. As long as I concentrated very hard, I didn’t have trouble using my left hand. The point on this razor made it much easier than the Feather to get next to facial hair.

The blade on the W&B felt incredibly sharp, but nowhere near as harsh as the Feather. Even with the Kai blades, the Feather felt harsh on the skin. This blade didn’t feel as harsh, but pulled the whiskers off just as well. I am going to agree with a bunch of stuff I have read, and say it is actually easier to shave with a straight than the Feather AC. Not sure how much of that is because I have about 30 shaves with the shavette under my belt already. @Seabs, does that help at all?

I did a third pass with my Red Tip, mainly to get the area on my chin. I also tried J-hooking and got the spot under my ears on both sides really clean. Whoo hoo. The alum block had some bite today, and there were three nicks on my chin. Overall, I’ll take it. DFS, almost BBS! I may be putting the Feather away for a while. This shave feels awesome, as in the closest I have ever gotten, and I can’t wait to see how it holds up.

 

You did it and no blood shed!

 

Congrats on the fantastic start on straights.

 

04/18/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2
Blade –Feather Pro (4)
Brush –Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – B&M Latha
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Blue



Fantastic BBS shave this morning. The last couple of shaves I have removed the shim from the razor. While it is a little less efficient, I actually prefer it as designed. The Latha loaded very easy and whipped up a very slick lather. Post shave feel was good. Finished off with a splash of Witch Hazel followed by Myrsol Blue.

 

I would be more then happy to share my thoughts, only one question

Here or a separate thread ????

 

I would say here as there are probably several people thinking of trying either a straight or AC Feather.