August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I am finding I prefer heavier razors and thicker grinds. I seem to get less irritation but it still could just be my lack of consistency. It looks like you are making progress on multiple fronts, shaving and honing.

 

I palm strop my DE blades, it maybe in my head but it seems to make a difference.

 

Thank you and fortunately Seoul is still intact. I was up late last night answering lots of calls, emails and messages from friends and family worried about all the trash talk over here. I wasn't worried because I have heard it over and over again. I have a feeling the North got what they wanted...... money.

 

I follow some Asia geopolitics, like the China South Sea island grab and ongoing N Korea tension. It seems as if the North is good at the sound and the fury, but not really willing to do much more than extort aid in exchange for non-belligerence. It's like a bad movie. I know it's been tense though. Most people in the U.S. aren't really aware of the current round of activity.

 

The following morning, while just waking up, my wife rubbed my face and said, whoa! That's a 5.....My wife and I started a game a couple years ago where she rates my shaves....The best she ever gives a BBS is like a 4.9...She's tough...Sometimes, I'm thinking "Perfect BBS" and she say, "4.87"...man! But this morning, the morning after that late night 'weeper shave' I did still have a perfect BBS. That never happens...my beard grows pretty fast...

So I didn't shave that morning, was busy all day, then a 8:30pm phone call and had to meet a suprise friend showing up in town that I hadn't seen in 20 years, and we hung out til 3am catching up...Soooo no shave yesterday....Today I was busy all day so it looks like another night shave is in order. I will probably be very busy tomorrow so I would rather take my time and enjoy a great Zen-shave right about now, 12:00 midnight...so actually this shave will be early Tues. Morning...PST...I just got back from a rehearsal, I'm gonna grab a bite, and then; hopfully; a great shave....I'll post shortly there after...

 

Nice! Happy wife, happy life!

 

Also reply to @Drygulch

I have tried palm strop technique on DE, and I shall revisit next time a blade seems rougher than it should. I had forgotten that trick, and it's one worth remembering.

 

I don't know if this is true...but @razorx awhile back warned me of the dangers of palm stropping....it appears too much can have negative effects on one's eye sight ?

 

1959 E3 Gillette Fat Boy
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Noxzema
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #2 with the Rapira Swedish Supersteel in my '59 Fat Boy set to 6. Nice BBS with almost no effort. Really comfortable.
2 Full passes: Pass 1 WTG on my face and XTG on my neck. Pass 2: ATG. Wow. Very comfortable. Amazed during my rinse that my face and neck was so smooth, almost BBS. Did cold water rinse and some whiskers came out for slaughter. Applied the lather for touch up and walked home with the baby. Aqua Velva was calm and did not reveal any whiskers as it usually does.

Another wonderful BBS shave from the Rapira Swedish Supersteel. Very comfortable. I tried to follow Rufus T's advice and "ride the cap" of the Fat Boy. Seems like it worked out pretty well.
Thanks for the advice Rufus!

 

Riding the cap worked for me this morning! I've been getting nice shaves from the Fat Boy, but I just had the closest in two passes I've had with it so far. Thanks for the advice Rufus T!

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 24:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Gillette Ball End Tech
Stirling Unscented PSB
Old Spice Classic AS

Third day, third good shave with my Ball End Tech. I am starting to wonder if I am going to have to treat my razors like my children: I love them all equally and each one for their unique qualities. I don't know that I will have a stand out favorite at the end of this month.

 

A little Kung Fu to get my Tuesday going. Nice.

 

AUGUUST FOCUS - 1958 EXECUTIVE


Soap-TSD Iced Signature Scent
Blade-Personna Lab Blue


Sorry I've missed a few days of reading this post. Man, you guys are getting all mushy. Was glad to find some actual "razor talk".

I'm still working with the Exec. I switched to Personna Lab Blues last weekend; never tried them before. They appear as sharp as the Astra SP, but somehow not as smooth. I never really understood that concept , but maybe now I do. The shave results are good, but the journey is a little rough. On the soap front, the TSD soap is absolutely wonderful. It's ready to leather, offers great cushioning and my skin is soft and moisturized and feels great. As to my focus, I think I've settled on 7 as my true sweet spot. I ventured up to 9 again, but didn't like the feel. So 7 it is!

 

I live in Central Florida, which is the lightning capital of the US. On Sunday night my house got hit with a bolt of lightning, which fried my TV, my stereo, and my computer's modem. It was pretty interesting to see. When it hit, my daughter and I saw where all of the electrical wires in the house were behind the walls because they all lit up for a split second. Needless to say, I skipped posting yesterday because I had no way to do so. I am posting for both yesterday and today.


30 day Focus - Day 23 (Monday)
MDC Lavender Face Lathered w/ Stirling Glacial Obsidian
Rapira Stainless Blade (Day 1 on blade, Day 5 on Rapira Swedish Stainless)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

I always seem to get a poor shave when I use a strong menthol. I think it is because I can't feel the blade on my face. I ended up with 1 cut and 2 weepers. Strangely, though, my face always feels great after using a strong menthol despite the quality of the shave.


30 day Focus - Day 24 (Tuesday)
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Rapira Stainless Blade (Day 2 on blade, Day 6 on Rapira Swedish Stainless)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

This was a very nice shave with no cuts or weepers. This also finished out this month's use of Rapira Swedish. I will be moving to the Voskhod blade tomorrow.

 

Wow, I'm glad nobody was hurt!

 

Thanks. I'm glad the walls didn't light on fire.

 

Scary, happy to hear everyone is safe and your house is still standing. Now you will have a great story.... albeit a scary one.

 

Glad no one was hurt and you didn't have a fire!

 

Today was day three with the Double Ring and a Feather. I have come to the conclusion that the Double Ring needs a milder blade. Still got a couple of small weepers. I'll throw a milder blade in it next month and try again. The Krona is next up and is much milder. I expect better results tomorrow.
SOTD
Gillette Double Ring
Feather (3)
Omega Boar
TOBS Mr. Taylor's Cream
Witch Hazel
AOS AS Balm
Florida Water
Have a fun day!

 

Glad to hear you and your daughter are okay! That must of been a scary sight.