I don't miss the arko at all! Lol. I think it's the diverse smells I desire.

My focus also changed to straights this month. I think you should keep posting. Are you seeing any improvment on the shaves? I am two shaves with my straight in, and the quality of my shave went down a bunch. I am currently in Iowa on bussiness, and am not sure if I am going to use the straight or not tomorrow, since I have to give a presentation in front of the next few levels of the food chain. I don't want cuts on my face for that. In addition to your preshave stuff, any post shave products seem to be helping? I used the Caffinated aftershave stuff from Target on my last shave, and it helped the irritation a lot.

This. It made a huge difference on how the quality of my shaves came out with my Artist Club.

Post away...share the journey!

FB focus day 22:

Homemade PS Oil
TSD Lanolin Iced Sub-zero
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
FB w/Rapira PL set on 9
Osage Rub

All the way to 9. The 7-8 range was a little more comfortable, so I will probably go back there for a while.

Post away. It's a good idea to share the journey. I have picked up tons of useful tips from reading these focus threads. Much more so than the SOTD threads. I know I have enjoyed seeing how your shaves have improved over the last several months.

Good looking gear and a great picture.

I like your picture. I also like TSD soap.

The tugging issue went away but now I get a ton of irritation and little nicks. I might go back and just focus on my cheeks like it was recommended instead of trying a full shave. As far as post shave I don't really use anything since I usually shave at night so the irritation sorts itself out but it's something I'm going to look into.

I fell away from the cold water shave focus after 8 days. I found nothing wrong with the cold water shaving, I just like warm lather. I get no irritation either way. It is good to know, however, that I can shave with cold water and have no adverse problems. Maybe when it continues to warm up in the mornings...

Vie-Long 12705B
Arko
Merkur 39c
Gillette Platinum White (2)
Brion AS

Good 3 pass shave but the blade almost gave up on me on the third pass so I missed out on BBS

Thank you Doug. I do try but there are some really good photographers around here.

I have found that I really like the Dove Post Shave balm. It is available at my local drug stores.

04/22/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 Dr. Bomber
Blade – Feather Pro (6)
Brush – Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – B&M Seville
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra Sample



Very good 2 pass work morning shave. I really like this soap. Once I dialed in the right amount of water the slickness in superb. The scent is very complex with citrus note and undertones of a barbershop type scent. Paired with the witch hazel and Myrsol F/Extra the post shave feel is fantastic. Almost like I used a balm.

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 22, 2015 - Week 4 Day 4
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - VDH Boar
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (4)
Post - Cold towel, Alum, Styptic, Balm

Well looking at my post shave you see problems ahead. Actually a pretty good day with the CJB. One mistake when I added pressure on the second pass on my right side neck. Nothing major just a nick and a reminder to stop pressing. Finished two passes in very good shape, better results than I have had up to now. Decided to do a third pass using something a bit safer and milder just to finish it off. So I grabbed this killing machine.....

Yes, the deceptively mild and forgiving 1959 Gillette Superspeed, a trusted gentle friend paired with a Bic Chrome Platinum that has treated me like a king. Well, apparently after using it the last time I dried it as normal, spinning the handle in the towel and apparently loosened the doors just a bit. Not noticing that it was lying in wait to ambush me I did a quick pass down my right cheek and went for an XTG pass on my right neck starting just below my ear and on the jawline. Took one pull, the loose blade caught and BAM!!! A nice cut worthy of a straight razor. Much cussing ensued along with a stare at myself in the mirror just to check that, yes, I was stupid enough to forget to check the razor.
The good news.....I finished near BBS after tightening the monstrous beast back up and all bleeding has stopped. I live to shave another day!

Ouch! I guess my poor razor maintenance has never brought me to that problem but it's a good thing to keep in mind.

And then there is me snapping rushed bathroom counter pics with my IPhone. None of you guys will ever have to worry about being the worst photographer here

The only difference I ever noticed with a CWS is that I like splashing cold water on my face a lot less than hot....

Oh my..glad it ended with a good shave at least.