Mark, in other words, this is a situation where you're well advised to "let your guard down." Stated another way, the Feather performs better when there's "no guard on duty." And to further illustrate Clint's point, these blades yield a better shave if you "catch them off guard."

Clint, I hope your back has improved, and I also hope you get a fantastic report from the doc!

Thank you for the well wishes. The back is better but a long way to go as the pain has moved into my legs. Trying to avoid surgery, I am going for a MRI and a series of steroid shots into the spine in an effort to try to reduce the inflammation of the nerves.

30 Day Rule - July 2015
July 20th
Razor - Feather SS AC/Gillette New LC
Blade - (4) (2 1/3)
Brush - Omega 10066 (BoS)
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water splash, The Veg

Something different today - an evening shave. Since my Sunday shave came in the early afternoon I decided this morning to wait until evening to shave to give it a bit more growth time. I'll shave late morning tomorrow and mid morning on Wednesday to move the schedule back around by Thursday. So....let's see if the different part of the day does anything with the shave.

Another great lather from the BoS and Fat. Seems like that's the brush the soap has been waiting for. Went Feather SS for the first pass and it felt great. Next to my goatee on the right side I felt a little tug but went on. Left side I started with my left hand and switched back to Japanese style halfway through as yesterday. This hybrid method is working great. No nicks or cuts on the left at all. Turned back to the right to lather and......where did that come from? Nice trickle of blood along my jawline next to my goatee. Must have been what I felt was the tug. Rinsed it and lathered again. Went XTG with the Feather all over and went gently over the bloody spot. Used the New LC to finish the neck. Everything ended DFS for the shave so I hit the cold water and alum. That spot on the right really sang but the rest was fairly quiet. Was able to see that I had a cut or slice on the right side. I think I put the blade down wrong by the slightest amount and it was actually a slice I felt, not a tug. The alum took care of it. No more bleeding but you can tell where the slice is.

All in all acceptable. Two good passes with the Feather plus a DE cleanup for the DFS. I'll take it, even with the blood. Hope you all got Monday out of the way. I have a Dr.'s appointment in the morning but otherwise tomorrow is my free day. My favorite day of the week!

Tuesday's shave #10

I took my Dovo and Rasurpur Kami to the pasted strop since they were not feeling as smooth as before. Today the Kami is up the first three passes were feeling good, the lather was great so I went ahead did some clean up too. Finally a DFS using just a SR. A couple of weepers and irritation where I had the weepers but all in all the closest shave ever with a SR.

Proraso Pre Shave
AoS tallow + Castle Forbes Lime
Simpson Duke 3 in best
Rasurpur western grind kamisori
Dry Gulch strop
Alum block to keep my fingers dry
Homemade vodka menthol AS
Spieck ASB
Creed Original Vetiver

Day 19 - 19 July 2015

30 Days of Maggard and MITA!


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Much better shave today from the enigma that is Rapira. Today really was the automatic 2 pass smoothness like it's supposed to be. Two Gillette labels left in this round of tests. MITA is performing like a champ and with the TSD ISZ, it qualified as a Menthol Monday, to boot! Lovely day in the Denver area. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado!

Have a terrific Tuesday!
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Tuesday, July 21, 2015
Day 19 with the Mongoose

Shower, Mystic Water Soap Yemaya, Neutrogena Face Scrub
B-3 Mongoose with Triad Helix Hex TI
Feather ProGuard #3
Paladin Chief Strawberry Amber Two Band 26X51mm
Knockout Shave Soap - Cotton
Alum Block, Dickinson’s +Menthol, Unrefined Org Shea Butter
Fine - Platinum

Today’s shave was great from start to finish. Two passes including clean up ended with an extremely close BBS shave. The Paladin Chief had no trouble covering my face with a thick and creamy KO lather. This Paladin IMO has the ideal knot. A soft and thick, two band badger hybrid bulb set at 26X 47mm. It has good flow through, excellent backbone while maintaining a decent splay. This Paladin is another Lather Monster. The ending today was a good splash of Fine Platinum. It is amazing how quickly and smoothly the Mongoose eliminates my whiskers.I hope you all had wonderful shaves today. Stay cool gentlemen!

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Hope all goes AOK with your exam and that you're on your way to recovery.

Wishing you the best Clint!

May you continue to find relief for your back! And nice work with the Mongoose, it definitely looks like a race car of a razor.

Before talking to an employee in said situation, I recommend freshening up with a liberal dose of the Veg. Teach those kids how to do it right.

/sarcasm

I have used both GSB and Voskhod in a Tech razor head. Now that you've tried both, I am willing to tell you that I actually prefer Voskhod in my Tech, and GSB in every other razor except the Cadet OC. Seems like this traditional shaving thing just might work out for ya!

Groan.....

Well thanks for that, I'd like to think I'm getting the hang of it and look for continuous improvement.

Certainly those two brands are ones that I will use most often in the Tech, but with only 3-5 shaves with each under my belt, I don't think that's enough experience to say which one is "best" for me yet. I look forward to many more shaves with each.

That does bring up an issue I seek advice on as I move forward. I open this up to the 30-Day Rule/ Focus Denizens for comment.

You mentioned that you have a common preferred blade for most of your razors and a different one for a couple others. My sense is that you tried many blades to get to that point.

Is that the approach that most of you all have used? I have assumed that would be the case.

With RAD having resulted in me acquiring half a dozen (or so!) razors, I was planning to try to find a common blade that worked for me with all the razors - recognizing that that would be the goal. It may not be achievable, but at least try to narrow the field down to 2 - 3 brands that you can stock as "go to" blades.

Not to discount the continued trials of different blades into the future, as it's not a tremendous cost to revisit a brand or try something you haven't before.

Am I on the right track here?

Thanks!
RT

I have definitely tried many blades and with different razors. It is true that some blades work better with particular razors, but it is also true that some blades work well with any razor, or many anyway. Narrowing it down to a few is possible with enough trials. Now, having said that, I do know of a few around here that have settled on one blade and that's the only one they shave with. I envy them in a way, but pity them in another because it's just too easy that way!

I also realize that I'm somewhat of a blade enthusiast and love to try them all as well as learn all I can about them. Obviously I find the Russians to suit me best (Mostochlegmash in Moscow, thank you) but I have also found a few others that work very well. My bulk buys for personal use are Voskhod, Astra (head shave but also great in most of my razors), and Sharp Star. However, I keep enough of the others around for the newbie give-away and PIF's that I always have Ladas and few others around as well as limited numbers of a few of my favorites. I tend to keep 5-10 Bic Chrome Platinums and a tuck or two of Kai's. And usually a couple of Feather blades as they are very good in a mild razor.

I'm actually looking at the growing number of Chinese produced blades and another "mystery" blade. It's a mystery because I can't find anything specific on where it's made or where it's sold. You'll hear more about the Chinese blades by the end of the month (how's that for dramatic future shadowing, eh?).

I'm not suggesting you go as far overboard as I have with blades but yes, trying a variety and mixing and matching them with different razors can be a great way to settle on the ones you want to keep in stock. There's really no need to have as many brands as I have if all you are looking for is the combination that works for you, but deciding on that combination is definitely a chance to have some fun along the way!

Only the Shadow knows!

Well this makes sense.

It appeals both to ones' need for order / logic; and likewise for one's natural curiosity.

Find the blades your comfortable with as everyday blades, but the passion of the "hobby" stays fresh by continued exploration and experimentation.

Thanks Neal!

You are on track. My bulk purchases have been GSB and Voskhod. I can make them work in all my razors. Finding 2-3 brands and then going bulk is a good plan. Beard growth is for life, blade trials are fun! Successive Razor Foci, anyone?


Edit - I see you pull off 2 pass comfy shaves almost daily. You got this!

Translation: Just invest $100 in a 50 tuck sampler. Then you'll have a good idea of which blades you like. It's that easy. It'll keep you entertained for a long while.

Most of us have done exactly this. I will always be trying new blades. Buying in bulk secures a supply of a reliable blade. Small blade purchases just happen...and always will.

Thanks guys. I am sure that it will all work out.