SEPT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I have one more shave this month with the type C injector razor. I only broke my focus one day because " Ooo Shiny!!" I feel like I should continue with SE razors until I have figured out a blade choice for the Gem razor I have and explore the personna injector blade as well as the Type B and Type C injectors with both blade choices. I also found that I should shave DE at less on the weekends because M roughest shave all week was with a DE cheat day. I have lost in intuitive feel for the proper angle since I did not shave with this type of razor all month.

 

Thanks Chris, I’ll give that a try. I did add water a little at a time in the knot, but in the center rather than pointing the tips down and then adding the water. You, Charlie, Kevin, and Adam have been a big help with helping me get my brush working. I’ve learned a ton from you guys and all of the other folks on this thread and throughout TSD. Unfortunately, with over 2000 posts in this thread alone, sometimes it’s hard to remember who gave the advice!

 

9/30/15

1954 (Z1) Gold Tech
Frank Shaving Pur-tech Synthetic
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #3 with the Rapira Super Stainless in my Gold Tech and #4 with the Frank Shaving Pur-tech Synthetic.



Had much better lather today. Kevin suggested I dip the tips of the dry brush in the water. I tried that after wetting my face and putting a dollop of shave cream on each side of my neck. The brush seemed on the verge of being too wet at that point, but the lather soaked up the water and the counter didn't see a drop. Once again I again Charlie, Adam, and Chris' advice to add water slowly. Added 6 drops the first time and 4 the next with working the lather on my face in between. I could probably have added a few more drops but the lather was rich and thick. I just rinsed my Tech more frequently.
Did 2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG on my face and XTG on my neck (top to bottom today). Pass 2: ATG. Almost a BBS at this point. Picked up a small weeper during my first pass due to operator error. I never felt it. A cold water rinse followed by a very small amount of touch up in my problem areas and the baby made another appearance. The Aqua Velva was mild today.

A very nice comfortable BBS shave from the Rapira Super Stainless in my Gold Tech. This is the 3rd BBS with the Rapira Super Stainless in the Tech. It gave me 2 BBS in the Fat Boy. I'm going to kick off OCtober with this blade in my Old Type to see if it does as well there.

 

September 30th SOTD (Shave 13 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Preshave: Hot Shower
Razor: Case Red Imp 133
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Oiled Latigo (20 laps linen/ 30 laps leather pre, 10 /10 post)
Brush: Handturned Maple Badger
Soap: Maggard’s Orange Menthol
Postshave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Maggard’s Orange Menthol Splash

I would like to point out that for this shave, the Strop, Soap, Bowl, Aftershave, and brush are all Artisan made. I think that’s pretty cool.
Decided to go back to my other straight for the month, and I am glad I did. The Friodur has been a very smooth shaver, but has only been giving me so so results. Grabbed the Imp and realized something, the Friodur needs to be sharpened. The Imp gave a great shave. Since I am growing out a goatee for the first time in years, I had no cuts in my normal areas, and ended up with a BBS on the face and jawline, and a SAS on the neck. I will call the whole thing a DFS. Final write up coming later, but this has been a good month for me to focus on technique.

 

Might do a blade.... But I'm also need to do a maybe a five day lather focus I'm getting mixed results in the bowl some good some great and the occasional complete flop so I might start off with a lather focus using astra sp blades exclusively(my go to blade) to dial in my lather and then do a blade so I can try out some of the blades that were gratefully sent to me

 

SEptember Focus Day 28:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Bay Rum SS
Schick Repeater Type C
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Bay Rum AS

I'll start with the lather this morning. With fall in the air, I had to go with some Bay Rum, which meant Stirling for me. I may have mentioned, but lately, I have been getting really great lathers from Stirling, and today was no different. It was fantastic. Bay Rum is one of those scents I don't use too often, and when I do, I always want to use it more. It definitely set the tone for a good shave.

I had a nice package waiting for me when I got home last night: a Schick Repeater Type C courtesy of @Rufus T. The mechanism was a bit stuck, but I took it apart, cleaned and lubed it, and it all seems in order now. I will say it appeared the blade was a bit loose, but there was no way I wasn't going to give this razor a try this morning. So after applying that nice, slick Stirling Bay Rum lather, I grabbed the razor and went to work. The weight of this razor is perfect. I have greatly enjoyed using my custom monogrammed Type G, but have always felt it was a little light. This razor definitely has some heft to it, and I really appreciate that. Remembering the issues I had with angles early in this focus, I paid extra attention to them this morning. On my first stroke, I noticed a big difference in the audible feedback from this razor. I would say it was closer to of my Super Speeds than to the Type G, which was a bit surprising. After finishing, the first stroke down the cheek, I checked the mirror, and everything looks smooth, and it was extremely comfortable so far. If the blade was loose, I couldn't tell, so I went on and finished my cheek. A quick feel, and pretty smooth, so I went on with the rest of my face. Everything came out pretty smooth, and it was comfortable, really requiring less effort than with the Type G. I then proceeded to work the neck, and this also went extremely well and was very comfortable.

A quick rinse in between lathers, and I had an opportunity to feel how the first pass went. On the face, I probably could have ended it there. I was definitely CCS quality at that point. The neck, not so much. It wasn't bad, but I can see that I need to work on that just a bit more, so I lather everything up again and proceed with a XTG pass. This pass also goes smoothly; I can't believe how comfortable and smooth this razor is. It just glides through the lather, doing all the work for me. During this pass, I tried to really focus on my neck, and made some good improvements there. After I got done, I felt everything, and it was as good as I get with any other razor, and better than most. I did have a few patches on my neck, but this is normal for me, so a little more lather to clean up, a few more strokes, and I am done. I am DFS+ and feeling great. This was a really great shave, one of the best I have had in a long time, and I have had some great shaves recently.

After one shave, I believe this razor to be great. It's heft really adds to the shaving experience, and it is just smooth. The sound is great, and visually, I think it is absolutely beautiful. A big thank you to Vince for sending it, it really is great. I am struggling now with how to shave tomorrow. My intent was to move onto OCtober, but this razor has me wanting to keep using it. I have a trip next week, so I may go ahead and start OCtober tomorrow, and then pick this razor up again on my trip, but I am still thinking.

I hope everyone's shave goes as well today. Happy Wednesday.

 

+1

 

That was great-like a Post-Game Show!!!

 

I think if I tried a monthy recap, there'd be too many "dittos" lol.

 

SOTD
September 30, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Mongoose B3 Dr. Bomber Handle
Blade: Feather Professional
Lather: Stirling Bay Rum
Brush: Stirling Synthetic
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Halston Z-14
I started September with the Mongoose so I'll end September with it. Fantastic 3 pass shave. The Mongoose is very efficient and in most cases I could get by with a 2 pass shave, this is where changing the blade to a sharper one comes into play. Without doubt my purchase of the Mongoose has been the best money I've spent in wet shaving. Stirling Bay Rum awesome! I really didn't need an aftershave, no need for a balm. Great value. Halston Z-14 is my daughters favorite, says I smell like the small? For me my on going focus will always be mindful of a 3 pass shave, anything more and I approach a danger zone. This has been such a fun and fulfilling month of bonding with each and everyone of you! Let's get this party movin' on to October!! Thank you @Bama Samurai for everything you do!!
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

 

Cool photo editing. Really like the effect.

 

So I think I know what I want to do for October's focus. Since this thread is unhijackable, lets play a guessing game. Here's the clue:

 

You're going to shave with a light sabre.

 

About that Kent brush-I wonder if it's the same Kent where you can order combs and (hair)brushes off the Clubman website.

 

Russian Rouge- That's a negative. Although I would totaly shave with that laser thing if it wasn't 200 bucks.

 

Looks like a wedge may be getting some action? Though I would rather see the shave with a lightsaber!

 

We have a winner. That picture is Wedge Antillies, a friend of Luke Skywalker who was also part of the Rouge Squadron. We have also identified another Star Wars geek, @wmbjr!

I have one shave ready wedge grind straight, one that needs to be honed, and will be purchasing a new one. That will be my focus for October.

 

And for the record, I would be happy to help test a light saber. Give me one to take care of, what's the worst that could happen?

 

Wedges can be a bear to hone—some, not all—but they are also a different experience from your standard hollow-ground shavers.
Some guys loves 'em as an everyday razor—and I can see why, particularly if one has a dense beard. The wedges seem to plow effortlessly through several days growth. Silently.....

 

I will leave the acquisition and distribution of the lightsaber to the Russian Blade Cartel as they are more likely to be able to get a hold of one. As for being a Star Wars geek, I will neither confirm nor deny this rumor. I will point out that at the time of your picture, he was part of Red Squadron that attacked the Death Star. Rogue Squadron was not created (by Luke and Wedge) until after. But again, I will neither confirm not deny the rumor that I am a Star Wars geek.

I definitely hope you enjoy your October focus, and I plan to read all the posts as some day I may have the nerve to try a straight.