?

Do you use pre-shave oil?

Poll closed Dec 30, 2015.
  1. Yes.

    29.9%
  2. I have tried, but don't use it regularly.

    25.4%
  3. No.

    40.3%
  4. What is pre-shave oil?

    1.5%
  5. I am just here for the cookies.

    3.0%
  1. 30 days of boar brushes, and 30 days without using the RazoRock Bamboozled RAKE. There's a rumor of an elf delivering shave-related goodies at some point this month, so I'll probably use them as they arrive.
  2. I vote in favor. BOPS application granted, with Osage Rub and Mandom endorsements.
  3. For December, I will focus on some of my soaps and soap samples. My goal is to get better at lathering different soaps and to see which ones really appeal to me. While I won't be trying for a BBS every shave, it will be interesting to see how often I get them because I’ll be using the Rapira Super Stainless in my New LC. This combination achieved 3 BBS shaves in a row in October. Pinaud Clubman Original will be my after shave. The Vulfix Super Badger will be the primary brush, but I may occasionally pull out the Frank Shaving Pur-tech Synthetic. I’ll use the Georgetown G12 Scuttle when I start using each soap.

    Among the soaps I'll be working with are:
    Mitchell's Wool Fat
    Pre De Provence
    WSO Signature

    I’ll add more as I go along. My thoughts at present are to use the scuttle until I'm consistently getting a good lather, and then try to get the same consistency with a face lather. I hope to accomplish this within 6 shaves per soap, but we’ll have to see how that goes.

    I'm looking forward to spending December with all of the 30 day crew. Let the shaves and shenanigans begin!
    :happy093:
    Sir.$-Mad, Hodge, Rufus T. and 10 others like this.
  4. My focus for December will be on technique with a limited selection of hardware. Last month I didn't focus enough to improve my technique. I will be using three full hollow ground straights, a W.R. Case & Sons, a Boker Red Injun, and Henkels Inox Friodur. I will also be using the only boar brush I haven't gotten rid of. My technique focus is a two pass DFS shave, utilizing a scything stroke. Secondary focus is not to cut my jaw to the bone when I do that, and only mentholate the skin I intend to. Soaps and aftershave are open. image.jpeg
    My first shave this month will be with my Tech travel set up.
    Sir.$-Mad, clint64, mrchick and 10 others like this.
  5. I find MWF to be excellent bowl lathered or face lathered I haven't tried the other 2 but the Pre De Provence is in the box and will get tried at some point both ways in the next few days.
  6. I really liked Pre de Provence and even toyed with hanging on to it, but ended up sending it on. I scraped off enough (I hope) for 6 shaves to see if it does as well and is as enjoyable as my first impression - which went along with a BBS. I hope you enjoy it too!
    clint64, Norcalnewb, mrchick and 6 others like this.
  7. In the can I'm not happy with the scent. I'll see how it changes lathered. I loved the prickly pear rose until I lathered it. Too much rose and it lost all the other scents I smelled in the can.
    clint64, Norcalnewb, Rufus T. and 6 others like this.
  8. Should be a good month. Now, keeping the menthol on the right area, that will be the real test of skill.
    Bill_F, clint64, Norcalnewb and 7 others like this.
  9. We talk about that.
    Bill_F, clint64, Norcalnewb and 6 others like this.
  10. The good thing about a beard is you can always change your mind and start one at any time!
    jimmy Mac, Bill_F, clint64 and 6 others like this.
  11. I'm shaving with the Indian version of the Rapira tonight. The Gillette Sterling. We can talk about that. I think I'm going to change up the soap and try M-bombed Arko with it.
    Bill_F, clint64, Norcalnewb and 9 others like this.
  12. Welcome back everyone!

    On 1 December, I owe @Darkbulb a write up on the DeFitch razor. So, I will be doing a one day "Love it or PIF it" tomorrow using the DeFitch. Still formulating the plan for the remaining thirty days, though I may do something special on 24-25 December. I have been super busy lately, but plan on getting back with the program real quick.

    Sounds like we are off and running!
    Bill_F, clint64, Norcalnewb and 9 others like this.
  13. And from the Japanese faction, and on behalf of the cartel in general:

    Congratulations to Adam ( @Drygulch ) on an early Christmas gift named Juliet! Hope You, Mom, big sis and the newbie are all doing great!
    Joef, Bill_F, clint64 and 11 others like this.
  14. Reviews on the Sterling seem to indicate it's made better than the Rapira. Although your face will be the best test. :happy088:
    Bama Samurai, Bill_F, clint64 and 5 others like this.
  15. Focus on

    • Trying the wonderful things from Secret Santa.:D
    • Practice
      • nickel and copper plating. (much easier than you think)
      • Turning and drilling brush handles (much trickier than I think)
    • birfday razor, a '54 Superspeed flair

    Finish up the (explicative) tile tub surround by scraping out the (explicative) thinset from an (explicative) number of grout lines, and grouting. :angry032:
    Bama Samurai, Joef, Bill_F and 11 others like this.
  16. I hated every shave I have tried so far. It looks like a rapira before the top cap stamp. maybe the smooth cap gives it more room to bend the blade? I let the kids use it sans blade because I dislike it so much. I'm going to try it with a good russian blade now that I have better technique. If it fails me this time it will stay with the kids stuff.
    Bama Samurai, Bill_F, clint64 and 8 others like this.
  17. Not at my age, I'd look like a hungry Santa. :santa
    Bama Samurai, Joef, Bill_F and 6 others like this.
  18. Its much easier to drill then chuck up the handle in something like this on the lathe to turn it. I did it the hard way and drilled after I turned it. Thats stupid and I could have badly hurt myself.
    Bama Samurai, Bill_F, clint64 and 8 others like this.
  19. Hey! I found a piece of broken glass, I wonder if Igor Neal would be willing to give it a go? :D
    Bama Samurai, Joef, Bill_F and 7 others like this.
  20. Is it Russian glass?
    Bama Samurai, Joef, Bill_F and 7 others like this.