DEC 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

The Twelve Ten 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 ten blades that have never touched my face, randomly paired with twelve ten of my DE razors. Two shaves with each setup to finish on Xmas Eve December 20th.. 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 17

Razor - Gillette New LC
Blade - (1)
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Proraso Green Tub
Post - Cold water, Alum, Nivea

Another trip to China today. We'll be staying in China the next four shaves before diverting to the traditional straight for the rest of the month. I'm taking out the two Dorcos to make room for the practice runs on the straight. Today it's time to pull out the New LC, a great razor, and load a very suspect blade in it. The Baili Super Platinum in the green wrapper. I've previously tried the Baili Blue, which is a platinum and teflon blade and it was not a good experience. If I remember correctly I was able to get a shave out of it but not one I'd like to repeat. So the green makes me nervous.

The big Pro 48 made quick work of loading Proraso and the face lather was the normal Proraso great. Very slick and a great cushion and of course the scent is awesome. At least I can cling to that if I need to for something positive. And, here we go. Took the first stroke with the Baili and then another, and then...........another and.........much to my surprise it didn't seem too bad. A bit noisy but that's ok. It wasn't pulling, tugging, slicing, tearing, nothing like that. Hmmmmmmm.......it had just a bit of roughness to it but nothing like I had expected. And, as I continued the pass I managed to adjust a hair to smooth it out more. Second pass was more of the same. Just an effective and comfortable feel overall, if just a tad rough. Did a couple of touch ups on my neck and finished with a two pass DFS. I'm a bit confused. How do I remember the Blue being so bad when the Green is really not a bad blade? Is it the coating difference? Teflon is usually a favorite, though maybe paired with platinum on the Blue it created a problem. I haven't looked back to see which razor I used with the Blue, so maybe this is just a better pairing. Maybe I've just improved technique to the point I am not making mistakes creating problems for myself. The only way to test it would be to shave with a Blue in the New and see what the difference is. Well, there's another focus for the future.....revisit the worst blades I found and try them again to see if things have changed with me, or if better pairings can be found.

For now, I'll follow up with the second shave on the blade tomorrow and see how it compares. You'd think by now I could have found a horrible setup for the month, but still waiting for that to happen. With only one DE blade left, this could end up being the easiest batch of blades I've worked with!

 

December Focus - Ikon 102 Slant

Switched to a new blade, a Gillette 7 O'clock blue, and a new handle from my Edwin Jager DE89. The handle is just for fun. Also switching to the StrongSet brush (WD black badger), and the RazoRock Don Marco soap.

I think I've realized that my neck was red from the Caties Bubbles Ocean Grove soap. I remember that last time I used it my skin was red. Maybe an allergic reaction?

 

Maybe we should do a blood donation drive.

 

I'm O positive.

 

A positive

 

Same

 

What's a few units of blood plasma amongst friends?

 

Tom, there is a lot of good information on cleaning razors available. I found this YouTube video very helpful also:

 

Throw in some vodka and a celery stalk, well, you get the idea.

 

On Feather Popular...

I used this razor as it was intended, with a Feather blade. According to @wristwatchb, it's Murica's finest blade. Eight hours post shave, and I am still DFS smooth. I will try it again tomorrow.

 

12/18/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim (J3) set on 9
Blade – Feather (1)
Brush – Romera Olivewood Synthetic
Lather – B&M Seville
Post - Witch Hazel & Myrsol F/Extra



This mornings shave was good at best. The lather was great, the results a near BBS but due to operator errors I got several weepers. After focusing on the Slim earlier this year and using it again this week, I can say without a doubt it is my least favorite razor. For me the Gillette New LC is much more efficient, smoother and more forgiving. I'll keep the Slim around since it is one of my two birth year razors and take it out spin on occasion. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra. Happy Friday everyone.

 

I like your picture this morning. I can also relate to operator error. I also like the Myrsol F/Extra A/S. I placed an order with Gifts&Care on November 20th and it arrived a few days ago.

 

Pain Stick Focus December 18:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Chiseled Face Sherlock
CJB Pain Stick
Stirling Unscented PSB -- Mentholated
Tabac AS

Another great shave this morning with the Pain Stick. Just like the last two, I have pretty much no irritation, and I would call this a DFS.

The Sherlock soap was also a high light this morning. Nice, slick lather, and it was easy to whip up. The scent is also great. I topped it off with Tabac, and I am off to tackle my last work day of the year. Happy Friday!

 

12/18/15

Gillette New LC
Rapira Super Stainless (1)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Pre de Provence
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original

Second day with the Pre de Provence and the Rapira Super Stainless in the New LC.
2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Good reduction. Pass 2: ATG. Small amount of touch up using the lather on my face. Did a cool water rinse and then spent some time touching up my trouble spots and the baby came home. The Pinaud Clubman stung a little, but settled down quickly. The brush still had plenty for another two or three passes.


Another fine comfortable BBS from the Pre de Provence and the Rapira Super Stainless in the New LC. I used the scuttle again today for my second time this month with PdP. This soap lathered well, was protective, slick, and plentiful. Tomorrow, I may give face lathering the PdP a try.

Have a great Friday.

 

Thank you Doug. Operator Error gets us all at one time or another. The Myrsol is a very good aftershave. I love the way it makes my skin feel.

 

I had to take a break from my leftover soap to try the Route 66 Lumberjack soap sent to me by Doug. Let me tell you--this soap is good! I place it on par with some of the greats like Klar Kabinett as far as great slick lather and ease of use. 20 seconds of loading and the face lathering commenced. Quickly I had a slick and shiny coating that let my razor just glide!

 

Great photo and set up. I agree the Route 66 is a fantastic soap. It has to be one of the easiest soaps to lather.

 

SOTD
December 18, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Gillette Flare Tip Super Speed 1959 E1
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: Monsavon Bol à Raser
Brush: Semogue 830
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Folsom & Co. Capri
Very nice shave. New soap!! Monsavon Bol à Raser is clean, citrus-y scent. This soap is soft like Cella. No frills packaging which is ok with me. French. Tallow. I'm going to use it again tomorrow so I get a better feel for it, Ill shave my head later on today with it to. Gillette Flare Tip Super Speed. The workhorse of razors, I remember when I started wet shaving I couldn't get a decent shave from a Flare Tip for the life of me. 3 1/2 years later I absolutely love these beauties!!
I have only 2 modern razors left in my den, my first razor the Edwin Jagger DE89 and my Mongoose.
TTT
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

 

Friday, December 18, 2015

King Cobra Classic
Feather Pro Super #1
Paladin Butterscotch Marble PK-47
Kell’s Original Soap Dragon’s Blood
Myrsol Metilsol, Witch Hazel +Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter
HTGAM Godolier Aftershave

Tonight is date night a very close shave is required. A late morning shave with the King Cobra, loaded with a Feather Pro Super blade. Used Proraso Green Preshave for some extra lubrication. Result: a "Super” close shave. Two passes and clean up left me BBS, Closeness A+, Irritation A. My face and neck are tingling like never before. The Pro Super gives me closer shaves than any of the other Feather or Kai blades. I used Kell’s Original Hemp& Aloe, Dragon’s Blood, an excellent performing, vegan soap with an intoxicating scent. The PK-47 Paladin brush is a high performance luxury brush with excellent flow through, soft tips, and great backbone. Together they churned up a slick & creamy lather. Today the whipped shea butter was extra soothing. Today’s ending was a generous splash of HTGAM Godolier.
Have a good Friday and a better weekend my friends.