April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

April 26th , SOTD (Shave 12 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- 30 laps on linen, 40 on leather
Razor: Gillette Red Tip- B2 (1956)
DE Blade: 7am - Stropped 30 times per edge (1st shave on blade)
Soap: B&M Saville, Bowl Lathered
Brush: Tulip Wood Brush- TGN Best Badger Knot 22mm x 54mm loft
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block
Aftershave: The Shave Den- Iced Barbershop

Had a good shave today. Did two passes with the straight, and some clean up with the DE. There are a few areas I am struggling with. The right side of my neck is generally worse than the left side, until I hit the DE. DFS tonight, with my cheeks and jawline aa solid BBS. I keep thinking I should go back to the Feather for a shave or two, but I am really enjoying using this straight. I have one more straight that has been honed sitting it its case, but it isn’t as pretty as this one.

Have learned a lot this month on getting a good lather with my badger brush. I can honestly say it was my least favorite brush before, and is in the top three now.

 

Semogue 1800
Vreto Premium Cedar-Sandalwood
Merkur 39c + PSSI (2)
Proraso AS

Excellent 3 pass shave. I'm getting consistent results with the razor even if I switch up the blades and software.

 

My Sunday evening pre work shave was a little different, as I decided to try some of the blades I got from "Try a Blade" I got two packs of the top ten mini pack, to get a feel for what types of DE blades there are out there. As an injector / SE shaver for the last few months, the choices can be bewildering in the Double Edge world. Tonight, I thought I might as well go whole hog, so I started with the Feather Hi Stainless. I immediately noticed that the blade was significantly "sharper" than either the Lord Platinum or Wilkinson Sword blades I have been using since I started traditional shaving, in November. I ended up with a very smooth close shave, but got "bit" when I did a razor maneuver that has not caused me any trouble in the past. All I can say is I am really glad I had the last few months working on no pressure with the SE and injector razors. It is now 6 1/2 hours after the shave, and it still feels very smooth... with no irritation.

 

FB focus day 27:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Stirling Frozen Tundra
FB w/Rapira PL set on 8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill AS

Back to my favorite Rapira blades. The menthol was working this morning. I am chilled and alert. I do think the Glacial AS could be called Glacial Fire, as they burn and chill at the same time.

The FB is definitely providing great shaves. This has been a successful first focus for me.

 

04/27/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Super Pro (2)
Brush –Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HMW
Lather – Catie’s Bubbles Santal Sensuelle
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Sandalwood



Fantastic BBS 3 pass shave this morning. Did end up with one little nick but that was user error. I need to be aware of the increased blade exposure and gap when using the Super Pro blades. I know I tried the Super Pro blade back in earlier and the year and found it to be too much for me. I am sure that my technique has improved with all my focus on the Mongoose. I think that when I have used up my supply of Feather Pro and Kai Mild blades the Super Pro will be my blade of choice. As usual the Catie's Bubbles proved very easy to lather. Not quite as slick as some of my other soaps but still an excellent soap. Finished with witch hazel and a splash of Captain"s Choice Sandalwood aftershave. The CC pairs great with the sandalwood soap. Hope everyone has a great week.

 

Aggressive April - Day 18 (4/27/15)

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 shave again today, this time XTG and ATG. Nice and smooth with just one weeper on my upper lip

 

I run nothing but the Super Pros in my Mongoose. Great pairing!

 

It is a great pairing just took me some time to come to realize it.

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 27, 2015 - Week 5 Day 2
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (2)
Post - Alum, Clubman

Two passes today, no nicks etc., although I skirted the area of the slice from yesterday. Finished with a pass of the SS/SM Platinum to clean up and moved on to work. Alum was quieter by a slight bit and overall a nice shave. Used both hands again without consideration for which side of the blade. Just chose the grip and angle that worked. The Feather Pro actually feels quite smooth to me and the sharpness allows for less clean up where I have the technique more dialed in. One more day and then a couple of easy shave days leading to Friday.

 

Same here. The sad part is that it cut a full pass off my shaves from 3 passes to 2. BUT I do enjoy them more now.

 

Arko April!!

SOTD for 26-27 April


Arko!!
Cadet OC
GSB (1-2)
Alum
TSD Iced Subzero AS Splash
The Veg

Super Busy! Finally back into a normal Denver state of mind. Gave up on Rapira PL for now. This razor is something less than automatic for me--maybe it deserves a thirty day rule! Very aggressive, smooth shave...but I scraped myself up a little in spots. Try again tomorrow!


​

 

Day two of the Feather Hi Stainless. These blades are to be respected! I have had two very close, irritation free shaves, but one sure needs to be careful with any movements around the face. I can see why people like this blade with a mild razor. Effortless clean comfortable shaves.

 

FB focus day 28:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Palmolive Classic
FB w/Rapira PL set on 8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Skin Bracer AS

I have really enjoyed this focus, as it has shown me how great these razors are. But, I am going to cut it short by a couple of days in preparation of my focus for next month. I want to get myself reset using my EJ for that focus, so the next two days will be spent there. Thanks for all the feedback this month. These focuses are great!

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 28, 2015 - Week 5 Day 3
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (3)
Post - Alum, Proraso

Final day (for now) for the CJB and I finished with a decent day. The slice from Sunday opened just a bit when I went over that area with the blade but nothing serious at all. The rest of the shave was good. A couple of minor nicks on the neck. Still I feel that I gained a lot of proficiency with this razor and will definitely be back with it and a straight of some kind (likely kamisori) in June. Alum reminded me that I finished a little rough and the Proraso did its burn too but I'm awake and ready to go!

 

04/28/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2
Blade –Feather Super Pro (3)
Brush –Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – Soap Commander Confidence
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra Sample



I have definitely found my blade of choice with the Mongoose. Fantastic 2 pass BBS shave this morning with only minor touch ups in my trouble areas. I have found the key for me with these blades is to start with the first pass ATG followed by a XTG pass and touch ups. Soap Commander Confidence soaped provided a slick and protective lather. Only 1 or 2 more shaves left in this tub. I will purchase other Soap Commander scents in the future. Followed up with witch hazel and Myrsol F/Extra from my sample pack.

 

Aggressive April - Day 19 (4/28/15)



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

Nice close 2 pass XTG & ATG shave today. Some irritation and a few weepers, I know better than to go ATG 2 days in a row but went for it anyway. Killed my Stirling Barbershop sample so it's back to Arko for now.

 

Thanks to your April posts, I have a huge jump on my Mongoose May plans. They have been a huge help

 

Razor: Bluebeards Revenge
Blade: Wilkinson Black (Day 5)
Brush: 1305 Boar
Soap-Arko
A/S: Lucky Tiger

Day-24
Usually hot shower with a cold finish, however, today I'll soak in a hot bath in Epson Salts to easy my aching bones.
Been using my regular Bluebeards Revenge Cream. I got some Arko soap and will use it tonight for the first time. Changed brushes for this soap. A little stiffer boar brush. Focus has been going well and have learned much about me and shaving. I soak my brush now in and Old Spice coffee mug. I put the brush in a stand then insert the stand into hot water in my coffee mug. Works well as I don't like to get the handles wet. Just me I guess.

 

Razor: Bluebeards Revenge
Blade: Wilkinson Black (Day 6)
Brush: 1305 Boar
Soap-Arko
A/S: Lucky Tiger

First time using Arko and I liked it very much. Didn't build a very good lather after my first face paint, and added to much water before the second pass, but on the third pass I did very well. It's good to try something new and enjoy the experience. Thanks thirty focus.