The Rapira PL is a good blade. Not surprised it performed better.

August Focus - Slim and Feather AC
August 8
Razor - 1964 Gillette Slim (J1)
Blade - (2)
Brush - Vie Long 12601
Soap - Proraso Green Tub
Post - Cold Water, Alum, The Veg

Time to take a day and play with the Slim. General wisdom states that a mild razor and a very sharp blade make for a good shave. Well, I have a razor that becomes so mild it's nearly a blunt instrument and a couple of choices of the super sharp blades. Let's throw a Feather into the Slim on 1 and see what happens. The blade is the one I used in the tournament of blades so it had one previous shave on it, therefore it's on shave two.

I broke out the new pony today after a few days of soaking and rinsing with Arko to drive the horse smell out. The brush is smaller than the 12705 that I really like but still a 35/65 mane to tail so it has that nice scritch and stiffer loft. It did a great job of whipping up the Proraso. I've ignored this soap with Tabac and MWF in the den. It was nice to get that Proraso green aroma again and the easy and rich lather up with the pony. After adjusting the Slim all the way to 1 I really had to squint to see a blade gap. This should be interesting.

First pass I would have sworn there wasn't a blade. I remembered to keep pressure off the Feather and just let the razor work. Seriously, so smooth it was like nothing was happening but there was reduction happening. Lathered for the XTG and again totally smooth and as safe as shaving with blunt rubber. I checked the results and realized my neck was a lot further from DFS than my face and my face wasn't quite there. Lathered again and went ATG, something I rarely do. Felt a bit of feedback then so knew I was getting closer. Went XTG and ATG on the neck again with a G-slide finish just trying to finish it down to a high level DFS. I failed miserably. My face was DFS for sure, the neck, well let's just say I'll call it DFS which it may or may not have quite hit.

With such a mild shave there shouldn't be irritation, right? On my face? Nope, not a sting at all from the alum. From my neck? Wow. Sting, burn, wince. Those extra passes on the end managed to fire up the irritation even without reducing the beard much. Oh well, live and learn. I'm leaving the Feather in for Monday's shave to see the difference at 3. Maybe that will allow the Feather to really shine without hindering it so much it doesn't work like a Feather. The good news? No chance of a cut, weeper or any other blood today. So off to sell cars looking good and ready to overcome the past week's pitiful results. I'm happy to say I succeeded in that endeavor. Have a great evening and a better tomorrow!

​

I tend to have a bit more irritation with mild razors because I feel the need to keep over-working areas to get the result I think I need, want, expect, hope for...

Well, I did a totally unnecessary shave today to test out my new TSD soap and m bomb. I have a light beard and light hair, so every day is a bit much, but nice now and again.

Slim on 3.
Proraso green preshave.
My aos badger brush.
TSD vanilla with menthol soap.
Proraso green preshave as a balm followed by Gabel's Lime with menthol bomb.

Traditional 2 pass shave, no touchup. Love the soap and bomb! Next shave, on Monday, the Slim gets set to 4. 3 has worked so well that I'm worried 4 won't be so good (I still blame that bad shave on 4 on technique, we'lol see). Either way, I'love have that Slim dialed in once the month is over!

Day 7 - 8 August 2015

30 Day Rule - Phoenix OC



I almost got the post in under the wire, forgot to change the blade. Day 7 on the blade. 2 pass Automatic, not too shabby. The end of a long good day. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a super Sunday!
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Interesting that the blade caused that much irritation and yet failed to clear the beard. I am betting that there is simply not enough gap at 1. My other thought is that resonance from the blade being under less tension is causing the blade to skip on rougher areas (it burned neck), but not on more smooth areas (did not burn face). I think this may be the source of of mutual mistrust of the feel of the Slim set low. We both learned on stiff three piece razors...?

Back to horsing around.

Ymmv as usual, but don't be surprised if it gets better. Just be sure to keep the cap (doors) in contact with your skin. It will keep the angle quite shallow. Just let it glide and I bet you'll be good to go.

Yes. Yes. Yes and again Yes. Everyone needs to read this. My experience is the same. Chasing the baby with a mild razor is harder than it sounds.

As I recall, I think you said, that the Slim does not really shine until it stiffens the blade at a higher setting (5? 7?) and that from there on it begins to provide the shave one would expect from a more aggressive razor. Yes?

I know I'm getting a better shave from 7 and above with my limited use of the Slim.

Chasing the baby with a mild razor is par for the course. I don't seem to get a good shave, so I end up using more pressure and more passes. I much prefer a more aggressive razor and less passes.

8/8/15 SOTD (Shave 5 of this focus)
One and a half days’ growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: “Our Leader” JAS. G. BARRY Co. Chicago, ILL’S Made in Germany
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel/ Linen (No pre-strop and 10/10 post)
Soap: Jabonman Lima-Incienso (Menthol)
Brush: Omega 1066 Boar
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman with M-Bomb

Had to get to work in the middle of the night for some testing, so did a quick shave. I had taken this razor to my Translucent Arkansas stone several times, but did another round with less pressure this time, and shaved without stropping it first. Did a N/S and S/N pass, and no clean up. Razor felt very smooth. Ended up with a BBS on the face and jaw, and SAS on the neck. Got one weeper on my neck I didn’t notice until a coworker asked me what happened to my neck. It had continued to bleed for the 30 minute drive to work, and looked pretty bad. Whoops.

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I think Herm just helped explain why I seem to have hit a point where I can't always get the BBS shave I want. It seems like sometimes I spend more time on my touch up than on my first two passes. And yes, I do catch myself using too much pressure and doing multiple rounds of blade buffing trying to get that last bit of stubble off of my trouble spots. Looks like I need to use something more aggressive than my Super Speed flair tip.

Glad I could help, but I wasn't the first guy to figure this out. That's what TSD is all about. Sometimes we just have to say "that's good enough" and stop shaving.

FOCUS: 1958 EXECUTIVE

I'm beginning to think I've got a bad blade here. Sunday's 2-pass shave felt better than Saturday (still on 7), but it was still rough and the result was not close at all. It can't be that 7 is that much different than 6. I examined the blade gap and the razor in general and everything looks nice and even. My face feels like I hardly shaved; I still have stubble. Not going to mess with touch-ups, but I'm changing the blade for tomorrow.

Yes, I'm sure someone else mentioned it along the way, but you're the one that pointed it out to me, so I thank you for that!

I agree. On a work day, I'm much more willing to pull the plug and give up on chasing the baby. After giving this some thought, I'm considering jumping on the Adjustable August bandwagon with my Fat Boy. It needs some attention and maybe I'll have an easier time getting the close shaves I want.

08/09/2015
Razor – Gillette New LC
Blade – Ladas (2)
Brush – Zenith Pro Aluminum Boar B2
Lather – Mystic Water Lavender
Post - Witch Hazel & Fine Platinum



I've enjoyed the weekend with the New LC. Another great 3 pass BBS shave. I could tell a difference in the way the blade cut this morning. I've transferred it to the Slim for tomorrow's shave. The big surprise for today was how easily this new boar lathered up the Mystic Water Lavender which I find is a very finicky soap to lather. Finished up with a splash of Fine Platinum which is a great way to start the day.

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

Shave #1 with the Gillette 7 0'Clock Super Stainless (Green). A nice shave, close and mostly comfortable with no irritation.
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 about the same number of spots remaining after my 2nd pass as yesterday. I had to lather the left side of my neck and part of my right for my touch up. Some sections needed multiple rounds of blade buffing, but everything felt smooth on my final rinse. The Aqua Velva gave a good sting on my neck, but it didn't last long.

A BBS shave from the Gillette 7 0'Clock Super Stainless (Green). I spent a lot more time and effort chasing the baby today than I've done in a while and was beginning to worry that I might irritate my neck if I went on much longer.

I hope everyone has a great Lord's Day!

30 day Focus - Day 8
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Rapira Platinum Lux Blade (Day 2 on blade, Day 2 on Rapira Platinum Lux)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

Today I got a very close shave. I would argue that it is BBS, but will wait until seeing how it feels tonight before making that call.

This is exactly what I have noticed. The shaves are better and the process is much more relaxing. Just you and your shave!

August 30 Day Rule

Reporting on multiple slaves since I have been out of town at a wedding (not mine but that comes next April). Definitely had a couple good shaves. Like "danger" b said the audible feedback makes a huge difference. I have to admit the day of the wedding I was stressed knowing one nick could lead to blood on a white shirt and a bad evening. Paid attention, listened closely, took my time, and banned my fiancee from the bathroom. All went great! Two really good shaves and I purposefully did not chase the baby but almost caught him on one anyway!

Usual equipment used.

Razor – Lord L6 three piece razor
Blade – Gillette Silver Blue
Brush – VDH Boar
Soap -- MITA
Post - Witch Hazel and Bourbon Vanilla AS!

While thinking about it, a quick shout out about the TSD AS! The Bourbon Vanilla is amazing!!

Have a Blessed Sunday!