OCT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I'm a big fan of the VDH soap and definitely the boar brush. I got really lucky on the brush and mine hardly sheds since the first week using it and has done a great job. The soap just works. Boring as heck but it just works.

 

It's really good, slightly sandalwood, totally boring, high-performance soap. It goes on my "recommended" list.

 

He's not Faulkner, but it held my attention.

 

OCtober 30 Day Focus -- Cadet Open Comb

October 14

Razor – Cadet Open Comb
Blade – Personna Lab Blue
Brush – VDH Boar
Soap – Stirling Gin and Tonic
Post - Cold Water Splash, Witch hazel, clubman

Moved on from the Voskhod to the Personna Lab Blue. This one performed about equal to the Voskhod in the L6. I was hoping it would do better in the cadet. Well first pass was a little rough. Definitely some tugging. Good reduction and only minor irritation in the end. Second pass less tugging, really seemed to slice through smoothly until my Adams apple. No idea what happened but got two weepers, one on either side. Rinse and a healthy dose of witch hazel. Then put on the clubman. Whoa that lit me up. Not quite as bad as the fires burning from the Voskhod but still bad. End result was DFS but even my fiancee commented on the redness and irritation. The blade gets one more chance tomorrow to see if it gets better.

 

Looks a lot like mine, except mine doesn't have the circles on the cap. I really like the Old Type and I'm looking forward to comparing it to the NEW LC. Really nice of your Aunt. I'm sure she'll enjoy hearing that you like shaving with it.

 

Why? Do you think you had a bad technique day?

Oh, and the Clubman was just congratulating you on being a man...

 

Got some serious congratulating yesterday and today. Hopefully the aftershaves will be done with the congratulations for a while!

I don't believe it was technique but I also can't guarantee it. I tried to keep from putting any pressure but allowing the razor to do it's job. There was not as much feedback as some other blades but I know blades can be different. So my concern is whether I had the right angle or if it is a bad razor/blade matchup. I know the second day with the Voskhod I had good technique and it was still a bad shave so I am going to take my time and have good technique and make certain about the blade.

If I have a bad shave it will be back to the GSB and taking time to make sure my technique is not falling behind.

 

Sounds like a solid plan...GSB is my standard as well. Be sure to ride the cap, it smooths out the Cadet a bunch!

 

I have definitely noticed that the cadet demands one ride the cap much more than the L6. Tomorrow I will be spending more time making sure I am using no pressure (or at least not using the wrong pressure) and riding the cap. I also plan to make sure the lather and prep is all exactly how I like it. Shall get a good reading then on whether it is the blade or not.

 

First time? Not by a long shot. It's just at my increasing age I tend to take longer to remember where I let it wander to.

 

voskhod blades hate my face. I still have a mild burning sensation all over. I'm going to give it 2 more days in 2 razors then ill PIF what I have left.

 

Have you tried other PTFE (Teflon) blades? GSB or Sputnik? Just curious if it's the teflon or just the way the blade is made.

 

VDH is some very good stuff. I never have a bad shave with it and I used it just like you, Bama. Like Arnold Horshack used to say, "when you least expect it, expect it."

 

"What Knockers!"

Everyone owes it to themselves to watch that movie again, especially this time of year.

 

I loved how every Halloween, or most anyway if I remember right, Frank on Everybody Loves Raymond, dressed as Frankenstein. What else would Peter Boyle go as, right?

 

I tried those blades for the first time this week and liked them a lot. It's funny how different results can be between two of us.

 

One of the benefits to shaving the right way versus the carts and systems is that you can individualize the shave to meet your specific skin type, scent preference, allergy concerns etc. etc. so that it is effective and beneficial to your skin. Not to mention a lot more enjoyable. Some people can't use teflon blades even though for me they are really the best. I have great results with platinum blades too, except for Gillette Platinums from St. Petersburg. Even with teflon the Voskhods are better than the others by a small margin. The others come from St. Pete's again. Something about that place doesn't agree with me. Soaps and creams are the same. Some love lanolin, some are actually allergic to it. Some people actually use new Williams and like it.....I think they are probably suffering from early dementia or something but hey, it works for them.

Before I threw the carts away I was one of those who was a system guy. Give me the Fusion shave gel, blades, razors, aftershave, whatever. Cost eventually drove me back to Barbasol canned goo so that was a slight improvement, but I never had a great shave with the "system" because it's designed as a one size fits all product. When it comes to shaving, though, it's all about the individual. Interestingly enough, Gillette has always tried to force the one size fits all down our throats. Look at their advertising from the 50s with blades especially. I know, it's all about profit, and I love vintage Gillette gear, but I'm glad the competition survived back then and is thriving now to give us the chance to get it right!

 

Another great shave tonight with a previously unused blade. Neal will recognize tonight's offering as a brother of the Voskhod, Rapiras, and Ladas being another product of the Mostochlegmash factory, and should keep me in the good graces of the Cartel.

Loaded one in the Phoenix DOC, used the Kong to whip up some WSP Barbershop, and started my first pass. Nice. Smooth no problems, good reduction. Second and third passes equally nice. The WSP is slick enough for some serious baby chasing and the Sharp Star came through. This blade is very comparable to its brothers. Thankfully it's not superior, as they're a little hard to come by in bulk. I finished up with the alum (very quiet), splashed on the Stirling WH&A and walked out safe in the knowledge that a small horde of blades from both Moscow and St. Pete lie stashed in the apocalypse box. (And a few are on the way from Mother Russia)

 

Ahhhhhhhh, yes I do recognize that particular blade. I've mentioned it a few times and used it as well. An excellent blade that I personally think is one of the best from Mostochlegmash. Voskhod, Ladas, Sharp Star - definitely top three for me. And yes, it is difficult to find in bulk.......though it can be done.

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My current supply for the coming apocalypse......or when the last single tuck I'm working on runs out. And yes, the cartel is pleased. Even Igor cracked a smile. It even got Ivan's attention and held it for more than 10 seconds. Well played, comrade, well played.

 

I grabbed a few tucks from Jason at Tryablade. I have plenty of Voskhod, Ladas, Gillette Yellows, and Astra SPs not to mention the 20 tucks of Gillette Blues on a donkey cart making its way to my home as we speak. Thankfully I have no issues with most of the St. Pete offerings, although Astra SS and Sputniks are not my favorites.