Pain Stick Focus December 20:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
TSD Lanolin Egyptian Spice
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
The Veg

Day two using a true straight, and some definite improvement over yesterday. I still wouldn't call this thing anywhere close to BBS, but this was CCS. This razor is definitely smoother than the Pain Stick, but I am working with some angles. I would say that I was maybe a little tentative with it yesterday, too, which I think led to some issues. All in all, some, a very good shave to start my Sunday.

Nice pic and a nice looking razor I think the handle works well

SOTD
December 20, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Gillette Flare Tip Super Speed 1959 E1
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Lather: Gingers Garden Rose Petals
Brush: Oscar11 Root Beer/Black 28mm Silvertip
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Gingers Garden Osmanthus
FantasticO! I love this GG soap!! Love it! The Flare Tip is a great razor, everyone should have one of these in there den, you can still find a nice one for under $20.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!

Im continuing my "only shaving creams" focus this month with another TOBS. This time using Avocado. Today will be the 20th different shaving cream used this month (I hadnt counted but I knew I had a lot). Tomorrow I plan to choose my favorite and stick with it for the rest of the month.

Kerry, I'm glad we could set you on the right track. If only someone could straighten me out...

I also love my flair tip SS. It feels good in the hand, it's well-built, and it delivers a great shave.

Straights to the Finish Line!

December 20

Yes, ladies and gentlemen and all the ships at sea, the final 12 days of the year are upon us. And, it will be straight razors for me until the end. Hopefully not bitter end. Today marks two auspicious occasions. Of course, the first is my first ever shave with a traditional straight razor. The second is my one year anniversary here at TSD. I wandered in here a year ago today and settled in and have never left. Within just a few hours I had started talking to @Bama Samurai and a few others and just never stopped. It's been a year of incredible learning as well as a lot of fun. I started with safety razors about a month before joining here, and the first forum I ran onto was B&B. I joined there November 23 last year and as of today I have posted an amazing 59 times over there. I think that number, compared to my numbers here, speak to where I prefer to hang out and share and gain smarts. No place does it better than here. So......thanks to all for your participation and for just being you. Whoever you are.

Ok, enough of that. On to the main event. Here's the gear for today:

Razor - W.B. Speed Rabbit/1959 Gillette Super Speed w/Ladas for the blade
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip/BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat/Proraso
Post - Cold water, Alum, Styptic, Nivea

Change of routine for the Rabbit. I decided to shower, then shave at the sink. I'm normally a shower shaver even with the pain stick. I knew it would be a bit different but felt it would be best. So, I got everything ready to go. Soap was MWF with the Wolf Whiskers. I figured the Fat would be the best choice as I love its slickness and cushion. Lathered it up, picked up the Rabbit and started with the first stroke. Wow, ok, this is different. With the pain stick you can go flat and set the angle as you go. Not so much here. Started the pass over as I completely missed a cut. Soft touch down with a bit of angle and I was off and running. Made it down my cheek and felt pretty confident, though it seemed to be picking up drag. Went ahead down the neck on the right side just a bit and it really felt draggy. Checked the lather. Dry as a bone. Seriously? Hmmmmmmmm. Stop. Think. Rinsed off face, grabbed the Proraso as it is usually foolproof and the BoS to use with it. Got a good lather all over, went back over the right side. Getting pretty good results but again, by the time I went to the left hand it was drying out fast. Very strange. Well, I've got half the first pass done and I'm only getting tense as the lather is messing with me. Decided day one could end with the 59 SS and a Ladas. Relathered and did a quick two pass with it to finish and........nicked my chin by the goatee. Terrific....my only injury was from the safest razor I own and a great Russian blade. Figures.

Finished with cold water, some alum and styptic on the nick and Nivea for the finish. Dried the Rabbit and gave it 10 rounds on the strop and I'm done, but still confused. I've never had lather fail like that.

After much thought I do believe my problem is the shower. While shaving there I have lots of humidity and water around, so I usually lather on a very wet face and the humidity holds it. I'm probably making lather that fits best in that environment now, as I've been doing that for nearly the whole year. Time to go back to lather 101 and work on a wetter lather from scratch, as well as a better prep before lathering. Either that or just go back to the shower, which SWMBO is not a fan of. Seems she's afraid I'll drop the razor with serious results. Well, at least she still cares, right?

Can't say it was a great day but I did accomplish at least a pretty good partial shave. With the right lather I think I'll be fine and off and running. Happy Sunday!

​

I cant make a lather in the shower. I'm so used to making it at the sink with my very dry air. I get around that humidity and I get a slimey drippy mess.

I don't think I could shave with a straight in the shower. I would be afraid of dropping and losing something. Try a preshave oil to help smooth it out while you're adjusting to the dryer air. Olive oil or coconut oil from the grocery works just as well. The lather ends up cleaning off my face pretty well and I've never noticed any left over oil after the shave.

Razor: Gillette Milord 1946
Blade: Astra Superior Platinum (7)
Brush: Omega Professional 10049 Boar Red Handle
Soap: TSD 2x Old Spice Type
A/S: TSD 2x Old Spice Type.
Menthol: TSD M Bomb

Gotta love a value price on a solid performer.

TTT! I did the same thing!

Agree!

Do you feel it might be an issue with the blade edge?

But, if you add "no" and "I have tried, but" it forms a large majority.

Is "don't use an SR while bare footed?" apropos here? And Congrats on a year! Looking forward to the next!

+1 definitely. I had two Slims, one from a customer and the other on the bay. Used them both, sold them to Delta. So somebody should have some really awesome looking Slims to buy.

Yes it is. Which is why I'm working on lather first, or a pre-shave oil as suggested by @DDuckyMark. I never use oil so had not thought of that option.

Looking forward to the next 365 days. I can't imagine where it might lead around here and I'm almost afraid to ask! One thing I know, it will be fun.

Congratulations on your 1 year TSD anniversary.

Douglas, I love seeing your photos. My favorite among your recent ones was yesterday's falling snow, but they are all really nice.

Thanks for your kinds words. I appreciate it.

Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary! You add a lot to the 30 day family.