April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Too bad about the blades. Those are the chances you take when you go vintage.

 

I am a little disappointed by it, but I did get to experience the true "vintage shave" blade and razor combo...no regrets!

 

Arko April!!

SOTD 25 April 2015

Rapira Platinum Lux (2)
Arko!!
Plisson
53 Ball End Tech
Alum
The Veg
​

Day 2 on Rapira PL was not as good as day one. The blade seemed more tuggy and less sharp today. I still got the automatic 2 pass smoothness...but at a cost of a little irritation. Does the blade survive to day three? Stay tuned!

Have a great Saturday Evening!​

 

I like the Rapira PL, one of my top Russians. Voskhod, Rapira PL, Ladas, and Sharp Star are top four, not necessarily in that order. Voskhod is my favorite, Sharp Star a close second and challenging for number one.

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 25, 2015 - Week 4 Day 7
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - '59 Superspeed
Blade - (1)
Post - Alum & The Veg

Saturday again. Early start, busiest day of the week so it's grab the SS and give it two passes today. With the Super Max Platinum two is all it took to get DFS all over with no nicks, cuts or other problems. Alum was quiet, especially compared to my days with the CJB and The Veg had me all fresh and feeling great to hit the road. Must be my lucky scent too as the first customer of the day was a perfect lay down on the car. Drove it, paid asking price for it and got off the lot fast, easy and satisfied. The power of the Mighty Veg!

​

 

Today's shave (Saturday) happened at about noon, and given the great shave the previous evening at about 9 pm, I did not really have a lot to shave. I used the SuperSpeed, with the same Lord blade(6), and ended up with a very acceptable DFS two pass shave. Did I mention I really like Arko? Now I need to purchase a "few" so I won't run out during the Zombie, world ending, economic collapse natural disaster (pick one) that will happen. Maybe a case of 12 to last the equivalent time as the number of blades I have..... 3 years!

 

FB focus day 26:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
TSD Wheat Shaving Cream Lavender & Rose
FB w/Gillette Platinum set on 7
Stirling Unscented PSB
Florida Water

Today was the day I looked through my soaps and creams and AS and found some I hadn't used in a while. I like the TSD cream and love the scent. Provided a great shave this morning. I usually like to use the Florida Water on days when I am home, and since I am working a shutdown, this hasn't been the case, so I went for it today. A good start to a Sunday, even if I am heading to work.

I continue to like the FB set more aggressively than I had ever thought I would. The Gillette Platinum is a decent blade, but I do notice a but of irritation that I don't seem to get from some of my other blades.

 

04/26/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Super Pro (1)
Brush –Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – Tiki Cabernet Neroli
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Agua Limon



Fantastic 2 pass BBS shave with the first pass ATG and then XTG followed up with a few touch ups. This was my first time using the Tiki Cabenet Neroli. Love the scent and it proved to be very easy to whip up a very slick and protective lather. Followed up with witch hazel and a splash of Myrsol Agua Limon.

 

I think I might have to try the soap just based off the packaging...I'm diggin the can

 

Had a friend visit and he let me borrow the soap for this morning's shave. It's definitely on my "to buy" list for sure. I think this is a older package and the newer production is in larger containers.

 

I guess it's a good thing for now lol but then again when it comes back in stock I'm likely to order several soaps. Their captain soap sounds good.

 

I just added it to my wishlist at Maggards

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 26, 2015 - Week 5 Day 1
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (1)
Post - Cold towel, Alum, The Veg

Took the step up from the Kai Mild to the Feather Pro today. Just a few days left in the month so let's finish with the big dogs! I changed back from traditional kamisori style to using both hands and discovered that it is easier to get the blade in the right position now. My technique isn't just a two handed or a one handed kamisori but a combination of both. Looks like using both styles developed more skills than I expected. The Feather is incredibly sharp and the first pass produced just one very minor nick near the left beard line. Didn't notice it until I was lathering for the second pass. On the second pass I really felt the difference in my ability to go XTG by switching hands and grips. However, the Feather likes to teach lessons about technique as well. For instance, when making an XTG pass on the lower jaw make sure to continue the pass TOWARD the beard and don't stop short with a slight downward stroke of the razor. If you do that...........yes, @Darkbulb you'll enjoy this.....








You can see the very minor nick above the rather nasty looking slice. That is what it looked like after I finished the rest of the second pass. It isn't as bad as it looks once everything is all done.......


I did a bit of clean up on the neck with the SS/Super Max Platinum combo and felt the alum burn. Actually not too bad except in the area of mortal damage. Veg was a body splash today.

I'll continue with the Feather Pro through the last few days of working with the CJB. Getting the logistics of MAYhem worked out so will be starting that Friday. I have a feeling I'll be returning to straights in June at some level. Considering my options to further my skills (and collection) there as well.

 

@NCoxSTL It amazed me how much of difference there is between the Kai Mild and the Feather Pro blades.

 

Yeah me too. I debated going to the regular Kai from the Mild but decided to take the step up to the Feather. Honestly I felt the Feather was a bit smoother, but I think it's just because of the sharpness...less drag perhaps. Much less forgiving of a minor error though.

 

My thought on using a kamasori style blade with both hands is that it is ok because the grinds on true kamasori were developed to be used by someone else to shave you. If we are ok with the non traditional use of shave ourselves, it's not much different to change things up a little bit to do that. Can't wait to see what kind of razors you end up with.

 

True on that, and the main reason for using one hand is to make it possible to keep the Omote to the face as another person would. Some will use a kamisori with both hands and use both sides of the blade. You just have to adjust the angle for the different sides of the blade. I think it would be easier, for me anyway, to learn the traditional style than to learn that many angles and grips. When I get one I'll figure that out though.

 

I didn't feel that much difference between the regular Kai and the Feather Pro. Perhaps the regular Kai was a little less harsh.

 

Aggressive April - Day 17 (4/26/15)

Prep: Hot shower
Soap: Stirling Barber Shop
Brush: Omega 13522
Razor: Cadet OC
Blade: Rapira PL
Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm
Scent: Tommy Bahama Very Cool

Excellent 2 pass WTG & XTG shave today. The Rapira PL may be a new favorite in the Cadet, too soon to tell for sure.

 

Focus- Injector Razors
Pre- Hot shower
Razor- Schick M2 Adjustable
Blade- Chinese Schick
Soap- Arko
Brush- Semogue 1305
Post- Cold water rinse, alum as needed
Aftershave- RR Don Marco



Really simple shave tonight. I have settled on 6 as the perfect adjustment, and feel I have mastered injectors this month.

This will probably be my last focus post for April. I have something "very" special arriving tomorrow. Look for my post in the SE and Injector party thread tomorrow night.

Enjoy your shaves and evening gentlemen. I spent the entire weekend with my family. Life does not get any better.