August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I've had to fight this battle after. This is one area my wife is struggling with me shaving so much. I have actually gone through a bit of a renaissance, and so I shave every day and I actually take some time to comb my hair (even using a pomade). It is funny my wife actually appreciates the results but hates the time and space it takes.

I just tell her that as I get older, I have to work harder to look good for her. We can't all be the natural beauty she is. (I usually get an eye roll from her at this point).

 

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 Super Stainless in my '59 Fat Boy set to 6. Paid attention to the angle and rode the cap.

2 Full passes: Pass 1 WTG on my face and XTG on my neck. Pass 2: ATG. Very comfortable. Left me with a solid DFS. Did cold water rinse and touch up. Seemed BBS at this point. The Aqua Velva was very quiet today. While a very few whiskers woke up along my jawline, they receded quickly leaving me BBS.

A nice, easy, solid BBS from the Rapira Super Stainless with no special effort. What a difference a day makes. Happy Friday all!

 

30 day Focus - Day 27
MDC Lavender Face Lathered w/ a touch of TOBS Almond
Voskhod Blade (Day 1 on blade, Day 3 on Voskhod)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

I saw a post on the board earlier today where someone said that the Voskhod gives them a better shave on the second and third day. Since I only use a blade for three days, I can't comment on the third day, but the second day does always seem to be a tiny bit smother than the first. Another great shave today.

 

I like your thinking. You've heard of "two sets of books"? As an accountant I can say you only show what you have to show, nothing more

 

AUGUST FOCUS- 1958 Executive

I have mixed feelings about the fast approaching end of the month. On one hand I've really come to enjoy my Executive and on the other hand in getting tired of using only that razor.

Today I achieved a 2-pass shave as close as any I've had this month. Used the TSD Iced Signature Scent soap and an Astra (3). I've been using the razor on 7 for a while now and that seems to yield the best, most comfortable results. I've used the Executive so much that I'm wearing a tie 24 hours a day. My wife does get a little miffed when I tell her to "take a memo" though. Onward...

 

Hey, it's not my fault the calculator broke. I can only report what I know.

 

I would make that your story and stick to it. If you don't KNOW the number, you can't tell her the number.

 

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 27:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
La Cigale SS
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Vanilla AS

I had originally planned to make this a Fougere Friday, but my parents just got back from France and sent me this La Cigale soap, so I gave that a try this morning. Unfortunately, just as I was about to start shaving, I got a phone call letting me know the refinery had widespread power outage. So, I rushed through my shave to get to work. The soap seemed OK, very lightly scented with lavender. I'll probably try again tomorrow to give it a fair shake. On the plus side, the Big Ben seemed better this morning, but once again that could just be that I was focused on other things.

 

8/28/15 SOTD (Shave 15 of this Focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Case Red Imp 133
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel/ Linen (10 linen 10 Leather post shave)
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

Final shave for this focus. Wanted to end it on a high note. This razor is a recent acquisition from @HolyRollah. This is one razor that was on my Have-to-Find-One list, and is in outstanding condition. The pictures don’t do it justice. It was freshly honed, so I did no pre-shave stropping. I was hoping I would be able to get a feel of a nicely honed razor to compare the shave to what I have been getting with my honing on other razors this month.

Lather with Jabonman Croap is freaking awesome. I loaded the brush for all of 5 seconds, using a very light hand. Then added a little water and bowl lathered it into wonderful goodness. I let it sit for about five minutes to get the menthol to start working, then whipped it back up. Great feel during and after the shave, with good glide and cushion, and just enough menthol. This razor was incredibly smooth. Knowing it has a spike point, I used a very light touch. I managed to only stab myself once, and it wasn’t a deep one. WTG pass was very easy; ATG pass took a little more pressure, but no cuts. The razor cut through everything very well, and I ended up with a DFS plus off two and a half passes. Good shave. It was smoother and keener than I have been able to achieve on my other razors, but it gives me a good benchmark to keep working on. If you haven’t tried Clubman with M-Bomb, I highly recommend it.

 

I recognize that Impish razor!
I'm glad to read you have a nice initial experience using that razor. the Red Imps always seem to easily take a smooth, keen edge. And yes, beware the Spike point! It has reminded me of it's presence during many shaves.
That particular razor is one of the larger (6/8") Imp blades I've come across and also one that has very little hone wear (a rarity!). Imps pop up on ebay but often are in pretty sad shape with misshapen or badly worn blades or replaced or broken scales.

 

+1

 

SOTD
August 28, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Mongoose B3 Dr. Bomber Handle
Blade: Kia Captain Titan Mild
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Lather: PAA Dirt
Post: Alum. Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: PAA FU Fougère
I rotated brushes this morning, I leave two brush in my rotation all the time. My Ever-Ready 150 and Stirling Synthetic. Today off the bench is the Plisson! This is a great brush! It will stand up to any I have. Well almost. . Day 9 with the Mongoose, the best razor I've ever bought! The quality of this razor is truly amazing. PAA Dirt is pretty good, FU Fougère is awesome! I like these Kia blades. Since the solid advice from Clint on the angle I should try my shaves have been KILLER! 3 and out.
I use my Schick injector I1 for my head shaves, has anyone heard of someone using the Mongoose for head shaves?
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

 

I have a question, oh omnipotent and all-knowing shave gurus.

Today I noticed that after my razor passed an area on my face there was no residual slickness like usual, nothing. My skin was soft and supple, but only wet, as if I had just splashed water on my face. No sign of the soap. Normally, if I wet my hand and feel my face after a pass it would be very slick. What happened?

 

I get this every now and then with a straight. It is typicly on an area that is BBS, and lets me know I got a really close shave there. I ussually don't see any whiskers in those areas for 18-24 hours.

 

Late Post.

08/27/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim J3 set on 9
Blade – Feather (3)
Brush – Zenith Boar
Lather – Soap Commander Renewal
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra

On their Facebook page and some other forums, there are several guys that head shave with the Mongoose.

 

Oh my, you lucky man! Where on Earth did you find her?!!!

I thought I was blessed to have found a woman that was amenable to sharing the counterspace in a one-sink master! You sir, have won the spousal lottery!

 

I'm with you with idea of moving on. I guess this sort of thing happens when a chore turns into a passion...but, can you imagine our fathers with multiple razors, getting tired of it after a month and moving on to another?!!

I told my 90-yo father that I had taken this up and he immediately said - "best shaves I ever had." - (having converted many years ago to an electric due to medical issues.) Could you imagine how he would have reacted if I told him I had over a dozen razors?!!!

(btw, your new look becomes you with the tie and all...especially the white gloved look!)

 

I really married up. She is a wonderful wife! She even puts up with my new obsession. What more could I ask for?

 

Late Post. I was side tracked yesterday with a sick child.

08/27/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim J3 set on 9
Blade – Feather (3)
Brush – Zenith Boar
Lather – Soap Commander Renewal
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra



Another very good 3 pass shave with the Slim. Soap Commander as usual was very easy to lather. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra

 

Your Boar Brush is breaking in nicely?