SEPT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Menthol Monday​

SEptember 21, 2015

B-3 Mongoose with UFO Titan Fine XL
Feather Pro Super #2
Rubberset 400 # 4 TGN High Mountain White @clint64
Sterling Soap Co. Glacial Obsidian
Alum, Sterling Black Ice Witch Hazel, Cucumber Melon Whipped Shea Butter
Krampert’s Frostbite Aftershave

My second shave with a Feather Pro Super was another extremely close shave, perhaps closer than necessary for weekday shaves. The Mongoose is more aggressive with the Pro Super blade. I’ll switch to the Feather Pro for Wednesday’s shave and save the Pro Super for weekend shaves.
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Mr. Frost was here today. Sterling’s Glacial Osidian was a face freezing, eye watering experience. This is not a Girly Man’s shave soap, according to Freeze. The latest, number 8, @clint64 400 Restore with a TGN HMW churned the Black Ice Soap into a dark cold lather. I really love the added chill of the Black Ice Witch Hazel. Finished today’s shave with a generous spritz of Krampert’s Frostbite Aftershave. May the chill be with you!


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one caveat here... (I am not a doctor, just a redneck who has seen some stuff)

Increasing pain threshold before exertion can inadvertently lead to over-exertion and further injury due to the inability to feel the injury as it happens, as well as a delayed/retarded swelling effect due from the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen.

Just my $.02

 

Is that current production Stirling soap?

 

SEPTEMBER FOCUS - SE Razors

RAZOR: Star SE
BLADE: GEM PTFE
BRUSH: Omega 10049
SOAP: TSD Iced Signature Scent
AS: Pinaud Clubman

Finally got myself back on track for my September Focus. This morning I used my Star SE razor and, frankly I was a bit apprehensive. I had used this razor with both carbon blades and with the CVS store blades and in both cases I had less-than-desirable shaves. I found those blades tugged, scratched and pulled uncomfortably. Today was different. I used a GEM PTFE blade. I carefully watched the angle and took slow, deliberate strokes. What a difference! This blade just mowed down my 2-day stubble with ease, with no tugging or pulling or scratching! I could hear a tremendous amount of feedback initially (common with this type of razor, I hear), but after a stroke or 2 in a spot, the feedback stopped....because the whiskers were gone! I did a standard 3-pass shave (XTG, XTG, ATG) and finished up with what I'm calling a nice DFS. I am pleasantly surprised and the result and am looking forward to tomorrow morning.

 

Yes, recently purchased.

 

After spending the last year doing nothing but technique drills, I have reached a similar conclusion as you today.

Angle of attack above all else. This is what we should focus on with new guys. The common thread in every poor shave experience I've had so far this year was using an incorrect angle of attack. With proper angle and pressure, almost any razor in the world can yield DFS/BBS on 2-3 passes.

Textbook!

 

If you have tried the older production, do you find this new stuff lathers easier? I've only tried the older stuff.

 

Never tried the older stuff.

 

I wouldn't sweat it...

 

that's my experience in just the short time I've been at traditional shaving.

 

Another great photo. The UFO handle looks great with the satin finish on the Mongoose.

 

I used both. I've never had problems getting a lather from Stirling, but the new formula does lather easier than the old.

 

1954 (Z1) Gold Tech
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #1 with the Personna Platinum (Israeli Reds) in my Gold Tech and #3 with this blade. A near BBS shave.
Face lathered, then did 2 full passes: Pass 1 WTG on my face and XTG on my neck (top to bottom today). Pass 2: ATG. A solid DFS at this point. Did a cold water rinse followed by a few rounds of targeted touch ups in my problem areas but stopped when I started to feel some irritation on my neck and realized that I just couldn't catch the baby today. The Aqua Velva screamed at me for a bit, then cooled off. For the first time in a while, I have a spot of irritation on my neck.

Another 99% BBS from the Tech and the Personna Platinum. This time with some minor irritation. This could have been avoided if I had not chosen to try for a BBS, but settled for a DFS. It appears this combination is not able to give me a true BBS shave.

Hope everyone has a great Monday!

 

SOTD
September 21, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Mongoose B3 Dr. Bomber Handle
Blade: Feather Professional
Lather: Proraso Green
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Proraso Green
IMO one of the things that makes Proraso a timeless classic is the tub it comes in, basic and very practical. Great shave. I woke up really early because it was hot and the fan blowing on me was causing me to cough.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

 

09/21/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Triad SS Helix
Blade – Feather Super Pro (6)
Brush – Rubberset 400 # 3 with WSP HMW
Lather – B&M Latha
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra



Another fantastic 2 pass with touch ups work morning shave. I couldn't catch the baby but I came about as close as I can get on weekdays. I am nearing the end of the tub of B&M Latha. I am not a fan of the scent but it does perform very good. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra. I hope everyone has a great Monday.

 

Clint, I'm real close at being able to get a really nice shave with two passes. I think if I go with the Super Pro I can do it. Thanks for your guidance.

 

I can come really close with a Feather Pro as well. The trick I've found is to skip the WTG pass and go straight to XTG or ATG for the first pass followed by second pass in the remaining direction. As the blade gets some wear on it, this will just not work and I have to switch back to a traditional 3 pass shave.

Plus the Mongoose is gives such a smooth shave, that 3 passes are really not a chore.

 

SEptember Focus Day 20:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Glacial Wintergreen
Injector Type G
Osage Rub
Stirling Unscented PSB
Barbasol Pacific Rush AS

After taking the day off, I went back to the Injector. I was rewarded with a great shave. DFS with no irritation. The Stirling Glacial Wintergreen was nice and slick, and it was very cold. It was just a great way to start my work week.

 

Very well said.