DEC 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Well, I settled in on a set-up for the rest of December. I have a tub that I drop in left-over dribs and drabs of soap. In it are Godrej, Van Der Hagan, Tiki and a few unknown bits. Let's see if we can't use it up! I will rotate between this New LC and my Weber PH on a weekly basis. I'll likely rotate brushes in a similar fashion. Old Spice will be the flavor of the month for aftershave.

I know that not all soaps are created equal but even unused soaps can improve with continuous use. Old dry soaps soak up water and give a creamy lather.

 

Thanks Clint, you certainly helped to make that happen!

 

Livin' the dream...

 

Dec. FOCUS - IKON 102 SLANT W/ OSS HANDLE

Sunday-Go-To-Church Shave with the Ikon. Shave #6 and with a new Astra SP blade. I didn't think the Astra felt as smooth as the 7 O'clock Blue, but I still ended up with a 2-pass BBS. But then I've noticed that shaves 2, 3... with an Astra are usually better than shave #1. So we'll see Monday brings. Bottom line is this razor is amazing.

 

Shave Den Sunday!

Planned Day 6 - DEcember 2015



TSD ISZ PreShave Balm
Stirling Closed Comb DE (courtesy @americanshamrock )
Gillette Silver Blue (1)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
TSD ISZ Shave Stick
Alum
TSD 2x Iced Barber Shoppe AS



Have a great Sunday Afternoon!​

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So is the Plisson your go-to brush. ?

 

December 7, 2015
Unless I'm on a strict 30-day Rule, my monthly Focus will vary each week for Shave Den Sunday!

Hot Shower
Soap: TSD Unscented
Brush: Stirling Kong Synthetic
Razor: Schick Type E2
Blade: Schick (China) (1)
TSD Witch Hazel
TSD Aftershave Milk
TSD Acqua Di Gio



2-pass shave.

Just picked this razor up to compare to my Canadian Type E.

First pass, was a bit less reduction than hoped, but had the angle set with the razor flat against my face.

Second pass was just a few degrees off the flat head - made all the difference! The feedback was like Velcro yet very thorough. Result was very smooth and close.

This razor will get a focus in the new year.
Cheers!
RT

 

Have you picked up your 2016 Shave Den Calendar yet? Please pm @Douglas Carey for details. Hurry supplies are limited.

 

It is. I am at literally months straight with it. I only own one other brush, the 48.

 

That's pretty cool Chris...I find it too hard to narrow them down...lol

 

Razor: Merkur 38C Barber Pole
Blade: Wilkinson (7)
Brush: Omega 10066 Boar
Soap: TSD Coconut
A/S: TSD Coconut
TSD M Bomb

Excellent shave tonight. TSD Coconut has to be my favorite TSD soap and aftershave. Adding a little, ok, a lot make for a very cool comfortable shave. the 38C is just an okay razor IMHO. I bought it so I keep it in my rotation. The 10066 brush has come to life over the last couple of weeks. It is an excellent brush.

 

December Focus

The Twelve Blades of December!

Hard to believe we've almost put this year to bed. Wow. Where did the time go? But, here we are and as a gift to everyone here I'm offering up my shaves with twelve blades that have never touched my face, randomly paired with twelve of my DE razors. Two shaves with each setup to finish on Xmas Eve. So, sit back, get the fire burning and enjoy what I hope is an enjoyable month of further proof Technique Trumps Tools. I hope for that....my expectations aren't as optimistic.

December 6

Razor - '47 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (2)
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold water, Alum, Aqua Velva Musk

Second day on the mysterious Gentle Man. Day one wasn't great, wasn't horrible, just, meh. Not expecting great things from it today so I'll enjoy the lather instead. Grabbed the Wolf Whiskers and Tabac and boy did these two have fun together. That badger ran around in the soap and loaded up in no time and produced an absolutely fantastic face lather. I'm going to have to bowl lather with the brush soon. I'm thinking I'll fill the bowl or mug and have enough for several shaves. That awesome Tabac scent really made my morning and since Sunday is now a work day for me I needed that boost to help adjust.

Well, lathering can't last forever (sigh) so here we go. Another three pass from the Gentle Man. Another very mediocre draggy feel, no cuts,nicks etc., but just feels like it's lazy. I did achieve DFS again but not a really good one. Just barely over the edge of DFS. And the alum was a bit hot so I know it's leaving some irritation behind. What a waste of steel. Now, to be fair, it's not a horrible finish, nor a horrible experience. It's just time with a razor I'll never get back to use with a great blade. I almost hate these sub-par blades more than the really terrible ones. At least with the Flying Eagle and such you can enjoy hammering their crappiness into the ground. With blades like the Gentle Man you are just left feeling cheated and alone. The AV Musk helped reverse the onset of shaving depression as well as another deep inhale over the Tabac. Ahhhhhhh........that's better.

Hope you all had a great Sunday!

 

I'm back! All is crazy but the shave is keeping me stable.

 

See the pipe thread if you would like to learn my ADs.
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I have really like the Shave Den Sunday concept. It's a reminder that some really fine shave products are available right here on the forum. And I heard that the committee voted that buying TSD exclusives does not violate the spirit of No Buy 2016. That makes me happy!

 

I need to get back to Schick sometime. They yield super easy DFS!

 

No shave today. I just wasn't feeling it. My allergies acted up and the sneezing would have been bad for my straight razor focus. I would have had bits of my face looking at me from the bottom of the sink. I'll hit it early with the high test allergy meds tomorrow and hopefully get in some kind of shave.

 

12/7/2015
Razor – Gillette New Long Comb
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – Brothers Bristles with WD HM
Lather – B&M Seville
Post - Witch Hazel & Fine Platinum



The GEM 1912 is retired until next weekend. Up for this work week is a Gillette New LC loaded with Feather blades. Using the Brothers Bristles I whipped up a very good lather with the B&M Seville shave stick. It has been a while since I used this brush and I am sure I'll do better with it as the week goes on. Going with a 3 pass shave with touch ups provided a near BBS shave this morning. Finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum. Hope everyone has a great Monday.

 

Pain Stick Focus December 7:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Cool SS
CJB Pain Stick
Osage Rub
Stirling Unscented PSB -- Mentholated
Aqua Velva AS

This is my 8th shave with the Pain Stick, and it continues to improve. I am really able to get DFS just about everywhere except the chin and jaw line. I think this is just a matter of me working on my stretching. The amount blood flowing has also come down quite a bit. Still quite a bit of work left to do, but it is fun to see the improvement.