JUNE 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Thanks for the warning Drygulch!

Forwarned is forearmed!

 

Shave of the day

Pre- Hot shower, Anna and Claras sandalwood bath soap

Soap/cream- Taylor of old bond street Jermyn street collection

Brush- Semogue 1470

Razor- Merkur 37c

Blade- Qball platinum plus(2)

Post- Cold water rinse, Mentholated homemade aftershave lotion and Geo F. Trumpers Coral Skin food

I got AMAZING lather with this cream, I had forgotten what a good performer it it, wow! I pulled out a big amount of shaving cream and lathered up a creamy, slick and protective lather.

This blade was better on this use than the first… hmm maybe the cream helped too. But I did feel it struggle on the more coarse places around my chin. I dont think it will be a daily driver.

Coral skinfood smells amazing, I have a sample and a little goes a LOOOOONG way. Im thinking of getting one, I like smelling like roses =P



My brush has become better. Bowl lathering and then going to the face just a LITTLE bit bets the lather under the hairs and I avoid the skipping part. Great! It's looking up for this brush

 

30 DAY RAZOR AND COLD WATER FOCUS



PREP: MUSGO REAL ORANGE AMBER
RAZOR: MAGGARD 18C
BLADE: BIG BEN (4TH USE)
BRUSH: OMEGA S SYNTHETIC
SOAP: WSP TOBACCO
POST: DIY CITRUS LAVENDER PACHOULI BALM

3 PASS BBS SHAVE TODAY. THE COLD WATER SHAVES THIS MONTH HAVE BEEN VERY NICE AND IT SEEMS LIKE I HAVE HAD A LOT LESS IRRITATION. THE WSP SOAP HAS A GREAT TOBACCO COLOGNE TYPE SCENT AND THE PERFORMANCE WAS AWESOME. THE HOMEMADE BALM IS MY FAVORITE DIY PRODUCT IN THE DEN. GREAT INGREDIENTS AND VERY MOISTURIZING. HAVE A GREAT SHAVE EVERYONE!!!

 

Razor: Gillette Black Tip SS
Blade: Gillette, Platinum (6)
Brush: Omega Boar #10066
Soap: Les CocoNuts (test)
Bowl: Wife bought it for me in Montreal. $4.95
A/S: Pinuad Lime
Day 30

The test soap is not creating a good thick lather. The Omega boar brush is working very well for a new brush. Next month's focus on this brush will tell the story.
Had to reload the brush several which was more of a soap problem than a brush problem. Three passes.
Finished with a good shave.

 

That is impressive.

 

Just a simple phone app. Helps an old man remember what I am supposed to use each morning.

 

Good luck with the traffic. We don't get much of that up here in the woods.

 

One day when I retire I can get out of the city. It takes me a little over 1 hour on a good day to go 15 miles to the office. It would be even worse if I had to use major highways.

 

Super wrap up photo!

 

You gotta love the New Long Comb. I had mine replated at Sport Shaving. Now she looks great and shaves great.

 

Oh I love it. Later own the New Deluxe is going to Nick as well. Still need to decide between gold and rhodium for that one.

 

Last day with a Cadet OC!


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About to go catch another nice shave from the Cadet! Gonna give this soap a bit more water today. Back later to wrap up June. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great Tuesday night!
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Perhaps I've missed the memo, but I've seen many of you give a wrap-up to your experiences in this month-long thread, multiple months for some of you. So here's my contribution.

Briefly stated, this 30 days has done many things for me, but a couple in particular - its begun to solidify my technique and it has certainly solidified my commitment to wetshaving and to TSD.

This was due to key direction from @GDCarrington and great mentoring by @Bama Samurai

By all the affirmation, encouragement and thoughtful critique done in a witty and humorous way by so many of you, including the simple "likes" that reinforce a newbie and a thoughtful PIF here and there.

The nicks and weepers, as well as a little monotony of a 30-day Rule, all became simple bumps in the road by all of your attention to get me through it.

I've learned an incredible amount, that has also resulted in me wanting more. You've given me a great foundation to build on.

Cheers!
- RT

 

I went with a Rhodium head and a Rose Gold Handle. Stunning IMHO.

 

It is stunning.

 

Congrats on getting thru the 30 day Rule. I know it get boring at times but it did help you develope a solid foundation. You've come a long way and it only gets better from here on out. I'm looking forward to your blade trials next month.

 

6-30-15
Shave #7 30 day focus

Razor = Dovo Astrale 5/8
SC = C.O. Bigalow/green tube
Brush = VDH Boar
Witch Hazel
AS. = Himalayan Bay Rum
AFG = AOS sandalwood

Wrap up June 30-day focus
The dovo has has impressed me once a "keen Edge" was given to the Blade. The razor shaves real easy,nice feel and balance.

The razor was given to me by my soon to be son-in-law last christmas. In the beginning I wasn't in love with this razor and since this focus I have come to realize it is a good shaver.

this month I shaved 9 times altogether including my birthday shave and one pic with my DSLR that was to big to transfer.

DE. Razor I used is also a gift from my SIL for my birthday a few years back. For a long time my 46-47 aristocrat was my go razor and this razor was just sitting in then cabinet and used occasionally. Merker Progress long handle... and yes the numbers don't line up correctly using a "sharp" blade from Switzerland I believe that is the country of origin. The razor is nice and "head" heavy which I really like.

I do believe both razors will be kept in the rotation I am very happy with both if them after using them this
month

Keen Blades & Smooth shaves Gents!

 

Absolutely
Beautiful !

 

Thank you for your kind words. It was a joy and a pleasure to watch you progress. June went so fast!

 

June Roundup
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Williams Mug Shaving Soap
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It's a wrap. I spent this month doing 25+ shaves with Williams. This soap was selected for its price point and its oft-maligned reputation. Many complain about smell of Williams, but it didn't really bother me. I did find it to be a particularly difficult soap to work. The shaves only really got good on the 16th when the shave stick method debuted. Applying the soap directly to my face was the only way I could get predictable lather. It is neither cushiony or very slick, and the lather dissipates quickly. All that said, it does work, but is just more trouble than it's really worth. My verdict on Williams is that it will not be featured in my rotation going forth. I earned my Williams stripes...let's simply move on.

Cadet OC Three Piece
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I am really happy with this razor. The moderately aggressive geometry provide a nice shave on two passes in my case. The head is maneuverable and not too large, and the chrome plating makes for good glide. This is a razor that really must be used in a "ride the cap" fashion to get the full potential. I would recommend this model to anyone looking for an entry point into OC. The verdict here is keeper, at least until I finish the Maggard OC trial. Only one OC stays, other is PIF later this year.

Derby Green
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The real surprise this month was the blade. I hated it as a newbie, have read all the negative reviews. This blade was nothing but solid for me in the Cadet. It probably benefitted from the aggressive head geometry. I experienced normal shaving performance, no issues with blade sharpness or smoothness. I was really pleasantly surprised. The verdict on Derby is thumbs up! For some razors and faces it is absolutely a good option.

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