May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Stirling Cocoa Forest
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Gillette Nacet
Stirling Unscented
Barbasol Brisk AS

The final day on the Gillette Nacet blade. It provided a good shave to start the day. I think I will add this to the list for order later.

 

MAYhem & Mercy
May 3, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Tweezerman Badger
Soap - Williams (Seriously...what is this stuff) Mug Shaving Soap
Razor - Vintage Soviet - the "Soyuz 1"
Blade - (2)
Post - Alum, Nivea Replenishing Post Shave Balm

Day two on the Zaza. I know that some blades improve on their second shave so I was wondering if this one would. Nope. Nada. Nothing. Oh, sorry....NYET! There we go. I can't say the blade doesn't work because you can eventually grind down the stubble. I will say that I believe I have a DFS today......barely. It took three full passes and some Gillette Sliding on my neck (which isn't the same with the Soviet and Zaza) but I got there. Once again the Williams just perplexed me. I added more water today, really whipped those suds up (can't really call it lather) and went to town face lathering after doing all I could in the Old Spice mug. Once again the first pass wasn't too terrible but each pass after just dissipated away. If you can't shave fast you won't have anything left before you finish!

Alum was a bit noisy due to the extra effort I put in but the Nivea cooled it back down. Glad I bought that for this month!

I think tomorrow I'll switch to the Rapira just to give it a shot with this blade. No blood or other problems with the Soyuz 1 so I'll see if I can stay that way with the Rapira. As for the Williams........I'm going to do some research on it and see what I may be missing. I know the Tweezerman isn't really helping my cause but I'll stick with it and see what I can do.

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Since I use a DE razor maybe once a month, I can tell you I notice the difference in the speed and ease of using a DE. No doubt about it, if I'm lazy or in need of a rapid good shave, the DE is the way to go. Both provide ultra-smooth results, both will get you there—but the interaction when using the straight razor is something I always look forward to. IT is a developed skill, something that requires your attention, care and purpose. Back in my DE days, I used to let my mind wander on what the new day will bring during the shave. Not so during an SR shave—my mind is fairly focused on the task and I'm completely in-tune with what my hand is doing with the razor. This is 'self-preservation' mode, I suppose, but to me it is almost a therapeutic time where I am completely focused on the task and blocking out all other distractions.

 

SUNDAY, May 3
Day 2
A near-identical set-up to yesterday's fine shave, with the addition of a mentholated pre shave balm from TSD.
The MdC provides plenty of lube & protection, but the balm adds a nice 'chill' that I enjoy—especially on these very early morning shaves.
A noisy 3+pass shave where I paid particular attention on my 'trouble' spots—areas of growth that seem stubborn about yielding to my efforts.
These areas tend to be located along or just under the jawline, where the growth is ATG when drawing the razor from ear to chin at an angle. After 3-4 variations on the angle, I finally got the BBS results in those areas—BUT with all the work, the area was now a bit tender. The post-shave balm helped sooth this.

 

May 3 - shave 2
Prep: Stirling Metha Preshave oil
Soap: Col Conk Bayrum
Straight: Gemstar DFS Razor #214- blade AJ Jordan, 5/8, Double Hollow Grind, Spike point
DE Razor: Merkur Progress
DE Blade: Wilkinson Sword
Post: Cold water, alum block
Nivia: sensitive skin post shave balm
Growth 2.5 days

Thought that an extra day of rest was in order since I was burned bad from the first May straight on the 1st. I did 2 passed with the gemstar, but my angle was have been way off, since it really didn't seem to take any whiskers with it. Hit or miss. Ugh - this is a lot tougher to do it right that I thought! I was careful to not hit the same area over and over causing another burn day, just relathered and tried again. Either I've got to have my straights rehoned - is it possible that I screwed up the blade with a poor stropping job? I am thankful that I have the merkur to back me up. I did two more passes with the Merkur and ended up with a BBS shave. Loved that I had the time to enjoy the learning curve this afternoon. I'm hoping the @HolyRollah or @gssixgun can chime in...

 

05/03/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Super Pro (7)
Brush –Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HMW
Lather – B&M Seville
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F Extra



I had planned to use my Schick travel setup the last morning of my motorcycle trip. But alas, far too many adult beverages last night caused a change of plans. I decided to just push on home this morning and shower and shave once I arrived. Fantastic near BBS shave with the Mongoose. The Feather Super blade continues to impress and should last several more shaves. I really enjoy the scent and performance of the B&M Seville. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol F Extra and I am ready for a later afternoon meeting.

 

If you roll the edge a few times while stropping, you will certainly diminish the effectiveness of the edge.

 

Then it needs to be rehoned? @gssixgun just honed before sending and after one shave i stropped it. No clue what I'm doing - trying to figure it out as I go Sorry for all the noobie questions. I just want to know and be successful in TSR shaving!

 

No apologies necessary. Practically everyone who has ever stepped in to the realm of straight razor shaving usually has plenty of questions, makes plenty of mistakes, and often learn from trial & error. When starting out, stropping feels awkward; shaving with the blade feels awkward. It's all a process that simply takes time and familiarity. You'll get there.

Try testing the blade on your arm hair. A well-honed and stropped blade should have hairs 'popping' off without much effort.
Sure, doing this you may wind up with some funny looking bald patches on your forearms, but consider them a 'badge of membership' in the brotherhood of SR shavers!

 

Day 3
30 Day Rule with a Schick!


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Day 3 saw a chase for the baby...

I am noticing that Proraso ain't Arko, but it makes my skin feel pretty good. Today I tried to shave slowly and precisely, and managed to catch near BBS on two passes. Lately my best shaves have been with a Schick, and today was no exception. I used skin stretching techniques on all the angles and found it to be an easy and comfortable way to shave the neck and jaw. Alum was cool and smooth...Veg wasn't too loud either! Automatic!

Have a Happy Monday!
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(I am reading intently)

Hang in there Eric! Great shaves await...I really wanna see you get this!

 

I wish Barbasol AS was easier to find in Denver!

 

Brush Focus: Day 2 (yesterday)
Brush: Fendrihan Sliver Tip, 22/49
Gillette Super Speed, 1947 Birth Razor.
Gillette Platinum Blade
Bowl: KO Shave
Soap: Jack's Soap
AS: Lucky Tiger.
Old Spice Coffee Mug.


Good brush holds lather very well, and feels good in the hand. When I first got this brush it shed quit a few hairs but after a month it stopped. Being a Silver Tip of which I have a few they seem to me to be very consistent in there application of lather. Had a very good 3 passes with a touch up. "
Life every day like it was your last and some day you'll be right."

 

05/4/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Super Pro (8)
Brush –Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – B&M Latha
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Blue Sample



Fantastic near BBS 2 pass shave this morning. The B&M Latha is very easy to lather and I find it to be very slick. The scent is ok at best but for me a good thing that the scent is gone by the time I am finished lathering. The Myrsol Blue finished up with a nice scent and great post shave feel.

 

Lol. I'm all in on this adventure since I have such great resources here! I'll deal with a little razor burn as long as I have folks at the tsd to get input from. One of the many reasons I love this place.
E

 

May 3rd , SOTD (Shave 3 of this focus)
One days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Wade and Butcher 5/8 Square point (post 1890)
Strop: Chromexcel Horsehide- 30 laps on linen, 40 on leather
DE Razor: 1941 National Razor Company Bakelite Razor
DE Blade: Astra SP- Stropped 30 times per edge (2nd shave on blade)
Soap: Barrister & Mann's Bay Rum
Brush: Vie-long Horsehair
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Barrister & Mann's Kyovu Original

I rarely shave with less than a day and a half to two days growth. I spent most of the day working outside on Sunday, so showered in the evening. I didn’t want to do a no shower shave on Monday, so I went ahead. I did a single pass, ATG or S/N on the face and neck with the straight. The whiskers on my chin are difficult. Half way through those, I decided to try XTG instead, and caught my cut from last week and opened it right back up. I think I will be avoiding this area with my straight for a while, which is a shame because it’s the area I need to focus on the most to improve my straight razor shaves. I did touch up with the Bakelite Razor. All in all a CCS, but not very long lasting. Monday morning, and I already have visible stubble again. This is why I can’t shave every day.

@Seabs- I feel your pain. I am trying to get this down as well. Most helpful thing I have heard is to keep the angle at 2 spine widths of the razor from your face. Your trick with the alum on the fingers for skin stretching really helped too. When you strop, are you putting any pressure on the blade, or just using the weight of the razor?

The Kyovu aftershave balm works very well, if you don’t mind the smell. It has a strong Aloe scent to me. I grew up getting aloe smeared on me for all kinds of scrapes, cuts, and sunburns, and don’t really like the smell. Brush worked great, and I think I am getting the water ratio down for these soaps. Bakelite razor isn’t quite as mild as I had originally thought. Not quite red tip, but more than my other superspeeds.

 

Aggressive Apri...errrr May? - Day 23 (5/4/15)

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

Great shave today! 2 pass WTG & ATG to a DFS! Happy International Firefighters Day to my brother and sister firefighters!

 

Blade Focus Day 4:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Musco Real Classic
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Feather blade
Stirling Unscented PSB
Musco Real Classic AS

Switched to the Feather this morning, which is my first experience with them. I also skipped the Menthol Monday as I have been saving my favorite Musco Real Classic for my day off, and that just happened to fall on Monday. Everything came together for a great near BBS shave this morning. I got to take my time and enjoy it, which has been unusual for the past three weeks or so. The best part was I got to shave with my little boy. We hadn't done that in several weeks; I sure hope he is building the same memories as I am on these shaves. It just makes everything perfect!

I really like the Feather. I had heard how sharp they are, and it was, but it also provides a smooth shave for me. I am going to use this for the next few days, but this is another keeper for me.

 

May 4 - shave 3.0
Prep: Shower
Soap: Col Conk Amber
Straight: Gemstar DFS Razor #214- blade AJ Jordan, 5/8, Double Hollow Grind, Spike point
Post: Cold water, alum block
Growth 15 days

In an effort to get better with the straight, I decided to practice this morning on my arm to discover the proper angle.
Initial thoughts: My expectations are too high! TSR is not like shaving with a DE. Maintaining the proper angle can be difficult. If I go to shallow I simply wipe of the shaving cream off, too steep I scrap. I suppose over time you find the "sweet spot" but I drag a blade over my whiskers, I expect them to be gone. With the straight, it's a little unevenly sliced away.

Shave 3.5 will come tonight as I turn the blade to my face.

Cheers!
Eric

 

DAY 3….
My typical pre-shave Straight Razor routine:

• Hot shower with very hot washcloth applied to beard area
• Apply pre-shave balm (if using)
• Razor Strop: 25-30 on linen; 40-50 on leather. Thumb pad 'test' (looking for a 'sticky' feel to the edge)
• Face lather; dip razor in water—begin…..

Smooth 3-pass shave. No tenderness I experienced yesterday.