Interesting about 1947. I'd eventually like a 1947 razor as that is also my father's birth year. He is not a shaving enthusiast by any means but I would still really enjoy having a razor from that year.

I'd also eventually like a 1981 razor - that's my birth year. But I'm not actively looking for these yet. I have too much other equipment to use and learn!

Beautiful brush!!

Got to be this one:

January 1, 2016 (Shave 1 of this Focus)
Razor: Ontario Cutlery Co. Geneva NY 5/8 muted square tip
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Chromexcel Horse/ Linen
Soap: Sterling Glacial Peppermint
Brush: 28mm Ubersoft in Aluminum handle
Post Shave: Cold water rinse, Alum Bar, Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Lustray Draggon Noir

The focus this month is to see how different finishes feel on the straight razor. My first razor I picked was one of the first ones I honed. It is an American razor made in New York by a company that still exists. I actually have one of their kitchen knives. I touched up the edge on my Translucent Arkansas stone, and stropped the edge on linen and leather. I successfully made a long lasting lather with the Sterling. I think I might be done with the Glacial soap. It performed well as far as slickness and cushion, but the level of menthol numbed my face to the point that I can’t really feel the way the edge was moving on my face. This caused me to apply more pressure. This helped me figure something out. I don’t think I ever got the bevel set with this razor. The bevel is the most important part of the edge, and if you don’t have a good consistent bevel on your razor, you won’t be able to polish it out to a sharper edge. So this shave, I used my hardest stone, but it felt neither keen nor smooth consistently. I actually had two lines of about 2 inches where I used too much pressure, the blade skipped, and sliced into my neck. Whoops. Finished all three passes. Closeness B, Irritation C, Smoothness D, Keeness D. Going back to the hones and going all the way back to bevel set on this one before next shave. The Draggon Noir is awesome stuff. Scent didn’t last long enough to irritate SWMBO, but I smelled nice for about 30 minutes. Then it died way down. Burn felt like clubman, and 16oz was only $6.

Always remember.....for safety....do as I SAY....not as I DO!! Well, mostly anyway. Bold and adventurous types are welcome to follow along.

First shave of the 30 day rule went well today. Razor was gliding across my face. But I must have been a little over confident when I got to my Adams apple region, which is the hardest part for me to shave and a sensitive region. On the face, WTG, XTG in both directions. On the neck, 2 WTG passes. Everything feels great except the Adams apple

Thanks for the kind words!

SOTD January 1, 2016

Pre: Warm shower
Blade: Rapira Swedish Supersteel (3)
Razor: WSC 3-piece
Brush: Nylon synthetic
Lather: Pacific Caffeinated Shave Cream
Post: Witch hazel splash, Captain's Choice North, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

My focus will begin on Monday since the holidays are still upon us.

Decent shave today. Only needed one pass with touch-up due to shaving late yesterday afternoon. The Pacific cream didn't lather like I remembered. It almost seemed as if the brush sucked up all the cream before the lathering in the bowl could do anything. I was not too happy with it this time. I've used it before with more success.

I've enjoyed the Rapira blade! I am new to this style of shaving and have now tried three brands of blades - Rapira, Astra SP, and Personna lab blue. I feel the Rapira is the best of those three.

I've noticed a few bumps on my cheek so I may take tomorrow off from shaving. Either tomorrow or Sunday. That's a little unusual for me so I'll need to do some analyzing to see what might be behind the irritation.

I hope all have a great New Year's Day!

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Happy New Year everyone! This month's focus is on 2 things:

My King Cobra razor, and using this Muhle Synthetic brush that I had for a while.

Ummmm......is there a problem in there somewhere?

I humbly suggest no prep other than hand washing (no cloth) your face with mild soap and lukewarm water. Over prep is a very common source of irritation. Your razor DE or SE already provides sufficient exfoliation, any hard scrubbing and you risk adding to the irritation.

So far so good! The neck is the trickiest part. I really like the that you're sticking to WTG on the neck. Chasing BBS on the neck is tricky, and largely unnecessary. Nice day today!

Fantastic picture. How much snow do you have? Fine L'Orange Noir is nice. Clean.

If only I'd of read this before my shave. Bad technique tonight coupled with over prep. I've got cuts weepers and Lots of burn my head is killing me it is a valued lesson I'm one of life's people that learns best the hard way. This 1924 is all or nothing in terms of angle, you get it right it's a beautiful shave if angle is off slightly it bites. I'm definitely pressing on it a little as well I will get there. The pain I'm feeling now will improve my technique, I don't want this again. This will be an interesting focus.

Seems you had an interesting shave also. Today I learned not to persist with poor lather next time I will wash it away and start again, I also learned I need to show the 1924 more respect and slow down I'm approaching it with the confidence I gained using my 34c and it's a totally different ball game

Although I'm sitting here in agony, I'm very pleased you had a good one

Great pic again Douglas for some reason I like the way the fine is angled.

We all had these days in the beginning. Don't let it get you down!

The 1924 does require a great deal of respect. I've found it best to start with the head nearly flat to my face. As you start the stroke drop the handle until you hear the whiskers being cut. With time and practice the angle will become second nature. Also a very light touch is needed. If you forget you'll pay a price for the error. The 1924 will punish incorrect technique quickly. At least that is what happened to me.