August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 5:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Pre de Provence
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman

Today was my first day on the Phoenix to compare to the Milord, and I definitely had less irritation. The quality of the shave is the same, just less irritation. I'll spend a couple more days with the Phoenix then swap to another razor.

 

I really like the look of the Phoenix. Cool Razor.

 

How are you liking the Phoenix?

 

Thank you. It shaves as well as it looks!

 

08/06/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set on 9
Blade – Feather (2)
Brush – Rudy Vey with TGN Finest
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel & Fine L’Orange



I think I have found my blade for the Slim. Another great 3 pass BBS shave. I did have to chase the baby with touch ups around my chin. The week is certainly ending better with the Slim than it started. Hope everyone has a great day.

 

More rigid? That would be one way to describe it. To me it feels like it's easier to maintain angle at the higher setting so far. I felt like I was unsure of the angle and less in control at the lower settings.

 

I'm new at this focus stuff, but I don't think the focus thread will kick you out if you use it, like NBJ would. But, just in case, do it when none of us is looking.

 

30 day Focus - Day 5
MDC Lavender Face Lathered w/ Stirling Glacial Obsidian
Sputnik Blade (Day 1 on blade, Day 5 on Sputnik)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

The Stirling Glacial is one powerfully mentholated soap. This was a smooth shave, but the Sputnik just doesn't seem to cut as closely as the Ladas. For me, the true test of a shave has always been how it feels many hours after the shave, not immediately after the shave.

 

In April, when I got my first straights back from being honed, no one in this group was worried when I dumped my orginal focus to go to them. I don't do well with getting new toys and not being able to use them. I am intrested to see what you think of the Feather AC, and how long it takes you to get to straights after using it...

 

Day One of Seven
My maiden voyage using this Japanese western-Style razor on loan from fellow TSD member, Mike (entropy1049). When trying out a new straight razor, I always approach the shave with some precautions. I tend to use a lighter touch than normal until I get comfortable with both the weight and size of the razor as well as the feel of the edge. After several test-drives, I'll adapt...

This razor feels very nice in the hand; pins are tight, tang is slim with subtle lower jimps, and the thin, broad blade has a comfortably-rounded square tip. It also provides good audible feedback (no surprise there as it is a wide, full-hollow grind). Easy to manipulate/navigate this razor as it's slim shape is designed for efficiency and well-balanced. The blade 'feel' reminds me very much of my 3/4" Red Imp—which is say quite smooth and noisy. I prefer, however, the soft square point on this razor versus the deadly spike on the Imp.

Twenty light laps on the red latigo. Three passes plus some touch-up areas resulted in a near BBS shave.
I can see already this is going to be an enjoyable seven-day ride!

 

One of many helpful and supportive posts. I like how you guys think. I will break this baby out of the box on Saturday. Thank you.

 

Sounds like a fantastic plan. I look forward to your report on the shave.

 

I use conventional straights ~99.9% of the time, but when traveling, the convenience of a shavette can't be beat. Also, for whatever weird reason, if I have heavy growth, I feel like that's another good excuse to change it up a bit and use the Feather.

 

August 6, 2015

Adjustable August Slim-apalooza
30-Day Focus - Gillette Slim Adjustable

Morning shave.
Hot Shower
Pre-Shave Oil: Gingers Garden
Soap: Catie's Bubbles Mile High Menthol
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (3)
TSD Witch Hazel
After Shave: Myrsol Blue
Mustache Wax: Dirigo Blue



Moved up settings today :
7 - WTG
7 - ATG
No touch-up or repeat strokes.
This is as much about technique as it is about finding the best settings on this razor for me.

The shave was noticeable different than previous shaves on the Slim at the lower settings. I *felt* this shave more than any other shave on the Slim so far. The significant feedback was the indicator. No irritation, nicks, cuts, etc, so I think I had the right angle. The shave was also the most close so far.

However, and to just nitpick a bit, this shave was not as smooth in cutting. It didn't tug or pull, it just didn't slice thru as comfortably as I've felt before from the GSB. Perhaps it was due to this being the 3rd shave on this blade. (?)

I will stay with this setting and introduce a new blade tomorrow and see if that's changes things. Nice shave overall today.

Cheers!
RT

 

1956 Gillette Super Speed Flair
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #1 with my 6th Gillette Silver Blue blade. A smooth shave, very close and comfortable. No irritation today.
2 full passes: Pass 1: WTG on my face and XTG on my neck. Pass 2: ATG. This gave me a near BBS shave. There were fewer spots remaining after my 2nd pass than yesterday. I lathered most of my neck to handle my touch up because while the stubble was very short, it was scattered. During the final rinse it felt like I could have gone over part of my neck one more time, but I didn't have time, so I let it go. As soon as the A/S dried, I felt an area in the hollow of my left neck with a tiny amount of stubble. I had to hunt, but it was there.

Even though this wasn't a true BBS shave, it was more comfortable than the Voskhod and I am still pleased with the results.

 

Very nice set!

So far so good! It feels pretty mild but really shaves well. Just might be a keeper, it's definitely fun to photograph.

 

(Enablers! Just what we don't need more of around here!)

(Sure, you just want someone else to slice himself with that thing before you do it with yours!)

(See - shenanigans)

(Now that's an honest response!)

(Toughen up Marine!)

(from the school of act first without permission, ask for forgiveness later)

(A report? Must be a gubment bureaucrat)

Whoa, whoa, whoa ....just hold on here a second.

Now I admit I'm one of the newcomers here, and Adam may have snuck thru in April when he detoured on his Focus, but when I showed up here in May I clearly remember being indoctrinated a bit differently.

I could have sworn that the rules at that time only allowed a detour if:

a) you first completed your originally stated focus; and/OR

b) you share your cookies with those in the Focus at the time of the petition.

Now I don't mean to be the stick in the mud, the fly in the ointment, the squeaky wheel, etc., (nor be rude to the newcomer), so I'll move that the petition be granted.

But - in light of the first condition clearly not being satisfied,
(I mean the guy just showed up, and late at that!) so

I request that subsection B become the required action necessary in order to affirm the petition, and that the petitioner at least share some of those rarities that he reports to have just appeared as a "gift" providing him with said unexpected "dilemma!"

I mean most of us are using 50 year-old gear, the least he could do is share some of them new-fangled Feathers!

Warmly submitted,
RT

 

Extra cookies for you, it will be ok!

 

Thank you for moving for the granting of my petition. PM me your address and I will send you a Feather blade and a cookie

 

Razor: Gillette Executive (1960)(6)
Blade: Gillette Platinum (4)
Brush: WDC-4, Silvertip Badger, Butterscotch. (VIG) 24/67
Cream: The Real Shaving Company
Bowl: "One a Marine always a Marine"
A/S: Old Spice Classic

Day 6

Move the Executive up to 6 and did 2 passes tonight. Worked great. Got a very comfortable close shave this evening. The Real Shaving Company cream whips up a very good lather very easily. Classic Old Spice A/S is still a great finish. I try a different cream tomorrow.