The criteria I used is this:
A) Start at a low setting.
B) Shave for a minimum of 2 blades. This reduces the possibility of a bad blade making you think the setting is too high.
C) Increase by one
D) Shave for a minimum of 2 blades. This reduces the possibility of a bad blade making you think the setting is too high.
E) Is the shave "better" than with the lower setting? Note: Your definition of "better" may be smoothness, lack of nicks, closeness, or anything YOU determine is the limiting factor.
F) If "better", go to step C
G) In not "better", reduce by one and go to step B and try again one time
H) Repeat steps C through G again in 6 months

For my August Focus I will be limiting myself to three razors, and two brushes. Straight razors are the ultimate adjustable razor, so will that work for adjustable August? The razors will be my Dubl Duck Satin Wedge, Wade and Butcher pre-1890, and a hardware store “Our Leader” razor. Brushes will be limited to my trusty Omega 1066 boar, and a vintage handle I need to install a badger knot into. Strop and software are open for changes. I would like to accomplish six things.

1. Create and maintain a shave ready razor using my hones on the “Our Leader” razor.
2. Improve the edge of the other two razors as needed.
3. Get a good feel for the boar brush again, as I haven’t used it in 3 or 4 months.
4. Finish the re-knot I started several months ago, and use the brush.
5. Get my stones lapped and a better idea how to use them.
6. Instigate and participate in the community shenanigans.

Part of what will make using my stones such a challenge is that I only need to shave every two days. Its very tempting to go right from the hone to the face, but I can’t always do that. I have not done any honing before. The Duck was sold to me as shave ready, and has been refreshed with past a few times. The Wade & Butcher was professionally honed and has only been used about 10 times since, so will be a good basis for comparison.
Prior to the first shave, I did some work with my translucent Arkansas stone on the “Our Leader” razor. This razor was the closest to shave ready of my eBay finds, and had no chips in the edge. From what little I could see, the bevel was in good shape. I did 10 X laps, and 30 circles on each side, then did 20 laps on a Chrome Oxide pasted strop, and 50 each on linen and leather, prior to my normal pre-shave routine.

8/2/15 SOTD (Shave 1 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: “Our Leader” JAS. G. BARRY Co. Chicago, ILL’S Made in Germany
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel/ Linen (20 laps Linen/ 20 laps Leather pre and 10/10 post)
Soap: The Holy Black Gunpowder Spice Glycerin Soap
Brush: Omega 1066 Boar
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: The Holy Black Whisker Whiskey Gunpowder Spice

I love the smell of this soap, but haven’t used it since I first got into wet shaving. It lathers easily, but the lather is not long lasting, and didn’t give much cushion it felt like. The razor was not silky smooth, but it wasn’t bad to shave with. No tugging, but a little hesitation. No cuts, and a DFS shave. Had some alum burn on my chin, but no sting from the aftershave. Love the smell of the aftershave. Going to spend a little more time on the hones with this razor today.

Great goals for the month! Especially #6 - I'm right there with you on that one!

+1

Nice plan and +1 on six

August - 30 Day Rule with PAA Double OC


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These will be the four elements for a strict rule in August. I will be starting this later this afternoon, and hopefully will catch 30 great shaves from the nine Rapira blades I have in my stock. I don't anticipate using up the blades, but if needed Rapira PL will be the fill in. La Toja made great lather yesterday, so I will use it exclusively for a month.

Goals

1) Produce a unique photo each day.
2) Perfect the use of a shave stick by finding the optimal amount to apply before lathering.
3) Optimize each shave through the use of SR style skin stretching and blade angle discipline.
4) Evaluate the razor for inclusion into my rotation.
5) Use an "old school" AS or a TSD exclusive each day.
6) Shenanigans per usual.

This is my third month in a row on OC DE, and feel like if will be another good experience. I had believed that injectors were my fave, but these OC models (Cadet, Maggard, and now Phoenix) are smooth efficient shavers, and are winning me over. I plan on sticking to a minimal prep, cold water only routine, employing Alum to gauge the shave as well as condition the skin for the day. I am a huge advocate of Alum for beginning shavers. It provides an objective feedback on pressure and blade angle. And as stated earlier, old school AS scents this month as I want to complement the soap. La Toja is a ubiquitous product in Spain, much like Arko or Derby in the Mideast, or Proraso in Italy. It is a mass market soap, non-tallow, but the mineral formula makes cushiony slick lather and leaves my skin feeling great. It can be found online, readily available at reasonable prices, normally US$3.50 to US$5.50. Off to do a few chores and then catch day one of my new month. Thanks everybody for participating, I hope August is yet another great month on TSD!

Wait just a minute Comrade. When you requested use of the Rapira SS earlier, I thought you meant . Now I discover you meant . I must now rescind the permission request I sent to the Central Committee for blade allocation and resubmit for the correct blade. (SIGH) Your final approval is hereby moved back to 2028. However, under the 5 year plan for improving shaves for the people I will still allow a temporary use permit for the Swedes. This will entail filling out the necessary paperwork on your end which will arrive by mule cart from Siberia within 7 to 10 years. Please insure you fill it out in triplicate when it arrives and give it back to the mule. Thank you for your cooperation. We won't exile you this time.

Oops.

I guess it's really Rapira SSS and not SS

Yeah those two are a bit confusing at times. I usually call the SSS a Russian Swede just to keep myself clear. It is a better blade than the other in my opinion.

The Russians and the SS have had issues in the past...Swedes are a bit friendlier.

@NCoxSTL don't get your 's ruffled. A blade's a blade, right?

Hi,
Just joined the forum and thought I'd sign up for this.

I bought a Kai Excelia non folding a few monthe ago which isn't getting the attention it deserves.

So it's loaded with Feather Proguard ready for my first shave.

Blades may change depending on how I get on. Soaps and brushes will change (probably).

Razor: Merkur 34 C
Blade: Merkur Super (7)
Brush: WDC-4, Silvertip Badger, Butterscotch. (VIG) 24/67
Cream: C.O. Bigelow 1838
Bowl: Sarah Welch Pottery
A/S: Fine American Blend
Day 2

Second cream day. Yesterday I had a little to much cream, today not enough. Back to the drawing board. DFS anyway.
Have a great Sunday evening.

Welcome! I'm glad you joined us, and I look forward to following your progress!

Welcome. Looking forward to following your progress this month.

Wellllllll....in some cases yes....but.....would you consider a blade? It's definitely not a to use. Feels more like a clawing at your face!!

I think I've found a new way to send ransom notes! Yes!!

My August focus is a little simpler than some of the admirable endeavors listed above. My idea is to test whether my technique has improved as much as I think it has. What I mean by this is that I feel I'm getting consistently nicer shaves regardless of the razor I choose. In using a razor that I don't use very often I'm putting this to the test a bit. Yes, an Executive is a "fancied up" Fat Boy, but using the single razor also relieves from choosing. The soap and brush may change, but the razor and blade brand will not.

@NCoxSTL

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I think we found a possible Custom Title for Neal.​

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An interesting side-note, then I'm going to quickly shut my mouth because I know what happens in some of these CT matters.......when I was a Freshman in college the Disco we frequented was called Shenanigan's. It was in Lawrence, KS and was the hotspot on weekends for putting on our high heels, leisure suits with popped floral collars, gold chains (or turquoise choker in my case), spraying the hair firmly into place and boogying the night away impressing (nauseating) the hot girls. Yeah, the good old days. Actually the funniest part of that memory is spraying the hair firmly into place. No need for THAT anymore.