June 15th, SOTD (Shave 9 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: W.B. Speed Rabbit marked 5/8
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel Horsehide/ Linen (20 on linen, 50 on leather)
Soap: The Shave Den Lime
Brush: Eveready 100T re-knotted with 22mm TGN Synthetic
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: The Shave Den Aftershave Milk- Iced Lime

OK, back to my straights. Good shave today, although I will only call it a DFS. No weepers, but did manage to cut myself once setting the razor down too fast. This razor is very nice to use. A little longer than some of my other razors, but gives a lot of audibled and tactile feedback as I was shaving. I did a three pass with touchup shave, and had less irritation than I did with the Gillette New I used yesterday. Soap and aftershave gave great performance.
I have to agree with @HolyRollah , I can get a great shave with a DE, but it is so much more satisfying to be able to use a straight razor for the same results.

I have enjoyed reading of your progress with SR shaving over the past couple of months. Thanks for taking observers like me along for the ride.

Think of it as a test ride. Want to borrow a razor?

June 15, 2015

30 Day RULE - “Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Lather, Rinse, Repeat. Lather, Rinse….”

Morning Hot Shower
Prep: Pre-Shave Oil - The Art of Shaving
Soap: Arko
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Gillette Tech “Fat Handle”
Blade: Gillette Wilkinson Sword Stainless (India)(2)
After Shave: Proraso Aftershave Splash Green



Skipped shaving Saturday. Focusing on my "ride the cap" technique, I got such a close 3-pass shave on Sunday that I didn't really have to shave today. Did anyway...another day to practice! and a fine 2-pass shave.

Cheers!
RT

Thanks for the offer. Not sure I would survive the attempt.

Do it!

June 15 - Shave 11
Prep: Hot shower
Brush: Omega 48
Preshave: Stirling Mentha Preshave oil
Soap: TDS Bay Rum Soap
Razor: The swede
Growth: 1 day
Post: Cold water splash, Clubman Bay rum AS, Alum
Passes: WTG, XTG, WTG, DE Clean up

I am finding also that there are just some straights that a better shavers than others. The swede gives me a great three pass shave. When you're so focused on straight shaving, you tend to forget that you haven't changed the blade in your DE for at least
20 days. Full face of red irritation. Completely ruined what was to be a DFS today. Oh well. tomorrow is new day On a bright note, the TDS soaps are treating me so right!
Cheers,
Eric

Razor: Gillette Flare Tip D2 1958
Blade: Gillette, Platinum (4)
Brush: Semogue 1305 Boar Tri Colored Wood Handle.
Soap: Sterling Soap Company Cool
Mug: Soak my brush in the Old Spice coffee mug for about a minute.
A/S: Lucky Tiger

Didn't start off with a good lather, but did add a little shave cream and that tightened it up a bit. Still not comfortable with the boar brush. Did end up with a good shave though. Not the DFS but good.

Not likely. I just don't have the time or patience right now. Who knows maybe things will change in the future.

Indulgent Menthol Monday Deviation

30 Day Focus with a Cadet OC!


​

I promise it's back to Williams tomorrow! I am serious about sticking to rules! But thanks guys ( @Seabs and @clint64 started it) for telling me to go get frosty! I really enjoyed a good two pass shave, face lathering the Stirling into a blissful session of menthol induced tears of joy. My face is still numb 42 minutes post shave.

The Stirling is also a soap that is a bit tricky, but not too much water and you get slick lather that carries the intense scent of anise and enough menthol to take down a horse. I love it! It can't be an everyday thing, it's too intense for that...but know I remember how much fun menthol can be! Not for the faint of heart, like if you are unsure if you can handle Stirling Glacial, it's probably not for you. If you LOVE menthol...carry on with one of the coldest soaps ever.

Day one on the blade, no issues. I am feeling super refreshed and ready to rock the Williams for the next 15 days!

Have a Great Tuesday!
​

Well from what some say about Williams you certainly deserved it!

Thank you!

I do feel that sticking to rules when learning is very important. It flattens the learning curve greatly. Being not exactly new, I still do these every month to demonstrate to new guys that it can be done. Nearly to a man, everyone who sticks out a rule is really glad later!

(I am risking some wrath...opinion follows, YMMV, following not meant as dogma or judgement, only as observation.)

I feel like some new shavers sentence themselves to a never ending rotation of mediocre shaves. This happens because they never master any particular setup. RAD sets in, razors and blades and soaps rotate, and technique takes much longer to figure out that way. @GDCarrington showed me the way out of that madness with the 30 Day Rule concept. It prevented a RAD takeover in my Den, and it greatly accelerated my ability to enjoy and differentiate between different razors with ease. Collecting vintage and cool razors is one of the most fun parts of this forum, but don't confuse being the owner of many razors with being an expert on technique. They are not related, nor are they mutually exclusive. Master, then move on!

(Off soapbox now.)

I don't mind the soapbox....when you're right, you're right!

Just two weeks into the Rule I've seen a clear uptick with the quality of my shaves, giving me easy incentive to continue. I'm sure the next two weeks will go by quick as I try to build newfound skills into good shaving technique habits. Yes the tools are cool and can become addicting (part of the fun of the lifestyle!), but I think the pleasure can be greater if one works at the technique - much like any other endeavor done well.

It took me nearly 60 years to even think of trying this. Youthful impatience left me long ago. I can handle taking the time to learn. What I look forward to is the youthful exuberance of accomplishment and of the journey. Thanks for the mentoring @Bama Samurai, and to all others who have easily offered their tips and encouragement! (Keep it up please, I still have a long way to go!)
Cheers!
RT

I will join you on the soapbox. The rule I did in January set my technique in place allowing me to really enjoy the experiments with blades, razors and such I have done as focuses since. The only reason I can be as objective in my trials and ratings is because technique is in place. And, when I do make a mistake or a slip I know that's what caused the problem, not the gear. I'm a believer!

Thanks for your kind words! You will be a Tech technique expert after this month. Then switching razors will be a breeze because you will have learned the techniques in a cogent way.

True words!

Amen, comrade!

Well, don't know about the expert part, but I have already thought about my focus for next month...switching blade brands weekly to consider the best blades for me when using the Tech.

Have you tried a Teflon blade? I like the Russians too. My faves are GSB and Voskhod, both Teflon.

You may want to visit tryablade.com , they allow you to buy ANY quantity or combo you desire. I used them with great success early on, many others will tell you the same. The Tech is a mild razor and can handle almost any blade.

I would suggest trying Rapira PL, GSB, Ladas and Voskhod. All great blades.

Russians? Are you kidding? The resident Yuri from Mother Russia has insured that I have plenty of Russian blades to keep me busy via the Newbie PIF and another PIF he's graciously put up. I think I'll be hooked up with most of those brands!

Nostrovia!
RT