North/South South/North

N/S is North to South. From the top of my face shaving down to the base of my neck. I use that because it isn't quite a WTG pass, but my shave direction is pretty consistent. S/N is South to North which is mostly ATG going from the base of my neck to the top of my cheeks.

SOTD 12/5/15 (Shave 2 of this Focus)
Razor: 1905-1915 W.R. Case & Sons with Purple Heartwood Scales
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Forty-Five Series Bridle/ Poly
Soap: The Holy Black, Gunpowder Spice
Brush: Omega 1066
Post Shave: Cold Water rinse, Alum, Witch Hazel
Aftershave: The Holy Black Whisker Whiskey, Gunpowder Spice

Great shave. Because this razor is so narrow, it requires a lot of skin stretching and careful use. I used a N/S (mostly WTG) pass, followed by a half pass on my chin, jawline, and neck at XTG, then a S/N pass (mostly ATG.) I was rewarded with a very smooth shave, BBS on my face, chin, and jaw, and DFS on my neck. Closeness was an A-, but irritation was an A+. No bite to the Alum at all.

This brush is a great performer, and easily one of my favorites to use. I may purchase another one of these to take the knot out for my vintage restore.

Take care of yourself, Kerry.

I load onto a mostly shaken out brush and it picks up most of the bloom water. I then add water by dipping the tips of the brush in hot water and working it in to my face until I get what I wanted. The soap goes on sorta dry and pasty but after the water adding its at a yogurt consistency.

Me too. It's more face prep and a nice way to enjoy the scent. Have a great Saturday, gentlemen.

Clint, that's a nice looking GEM and a great photo.

The Omega 10066 sure is a great brush! For under $10 you won't find a better brush, nope. Not even the No. 6

Thanks Charlie. I enjoy using the GEM. I am not quite proficient enough with it yet to use it on work mornings but I'll get there in time.

Adam,

How is everyone doing? It has to be wonderful approaching Christmas with a new baby in the family.

What is your favorite blade width and grind? I figured a thinner blade would be easier to use, but maybe that's not so.

SOTD
December 5, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Gillette 1941 Ranger Tech
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: Gingers Garden Rose Petals
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Gingers Garden Osmanthus
I'm back!!!! Thank you everyone! Much appreciated!
I needed this shave really bad. So I chose the 1941 Gillette Ranger Tech, Gillette made this razor for a very short time because they had to stop because of WWII. Supplies were limited. Tons of audible feedback, I'm not normal used to hearing that. Maybe because I didn't have the radio on? This razor is fairly aggressive and very efficient. I can't say enough good things about GG soaps & aftershave's, love the quality and scents.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

Glad you're feeling better. Just continue to rest. Besides it's a great day to watch college football.

Thanks, Clint! That's what I'm doing today!! Later tonight we will finish decorating our Christmas tree.

That's our plan for today as well. Good minds think alike.

Hard to keep a good man down, huh? Glad you're feeling better. Nice set up today!

It's been a wonderful week. The house seems much smaller with the new baby home, and some family members staying with us. Christmas will be great. I am actually going to get a tree today.

As far as width and grind, it's hard to say. A heavy grind like a near wedge or quarter hollow is more rigid at the edge and skips less. A full hollow grind is easier to maintain, but requires more attention during use.

I haven't tried too many grinds but I prefer a width somewhere between 7/8 and 5/8. Anything smaller feels too light and too small in my hand. Anything bigger is too hard to get under the nose and some of the contours of my jawline. I've tried 1/2 hollow, 1/4 hollow and faux framback and the half hollow was more prone to nip you and skip. The Faux frameback had the same tendency but less so. The 1/4 hollow was very nice. I'm hoping that a near wedge or a wedge will continue the comfort trend for me. I like the weight as well. Heavier razors seem easier to use. I don't have to pull the razor across my skin just guide it. I forget that on lighter razors and end up with irritation and weepers from too much pressure.

Kerry, I'm glad you are feeling better today. Nice set up with the Ranger Tech. My dad served in WW II, so I'm naturally drawn to anything from that era.

Enjoy the games and the family time today.

DEC. FOCUS - SOTD

Razor: Ikon 102 Slant (OSS Handle)
Blade: Gillette 7 O'clock Blue (5)
Brush: Omega 10049
Soap: Maggard London Barbershop
AS: Barbasol Pacific Rush

Day 5 with the Ikon 102 and I'm enjoying every minute. The 102's head design really doesn't have a large amount of blade exposure, but it is by no means a mild razor. I'm going with the efficient moniker here. This is the only razor I have that will give me a BBS in 2 passes. Even my beloved '58 Fat Boy can't do that. Placing the relatively fat head against your skin almost forces you to the optimum angle. I wish I had a scale because this is a heavy head/handle combo.

Need to change up the blade tomorrow, so I'll try an Astra SP to see what happens. Then, after a round with each blade, I'm going to switch to another handle, possibly the Phoenix Accouterments "Name Taker", a shorter, but just as heavy, handle.

Not sure how much everyone knows about this razor, but the 102 is a razor with a slanted head as compared to a Merkur 37c (or 39c) which has what I'll call a twisted head design. The blade in the Ikon is not twisted, but it's angled as compared to the handle.

Great idea, I'll start with one and then switch to another method after a few days.