January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

01/07/2016
Razor – Cobra Classic
Blade – Feather Pro (7)
Brush – Rudy Vey with TGN Finest
Lather – Haslinger Sandalwood Shave Stick
Post - Witch Hazel followed by Captain’s Choice Sandalwood



Another great shave this morning. The Haslinger soap is very light scented to the point of basically being unscented even though it was labeled Sandalwood. What it lacks in scent it makes up for in ease of lathering and slickness. Going with a traditional 3 pass shave this morning, I was able to do touch ups as I went by rubbing a wet hand along my trouble spots. The water and residual slickness of the soap, allowed me to do the touch ups with no irritation. I would grade the near BBS shave as an A for Closeness and A+ for irritation. I hope everyone has a great Thursday.

 

I have a TGN finest that I received from @HoosierTrooper as well as an Omega silvertip badger. In my mind, the finest is just as good as the silvertip.

 

Straights Focus January 7:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Stirling Cocoa Forest
Ontario Cutlery Co.
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Vanilla AS

I had one of those mornings where I was running just a tad late. I briefly thought about using a DE, but I went for the straight instead. I decided I would just take my time, and run a minute or two late if need be. I ended up with a decent two pass shave. I didn't spend time cleaning up, and there is a spot or two on my jaw line that probably needed some clean up, but the rest of the shave was pretty decent. I will say that the Stirling Cocoa Forest just seemed to explode with great lather this morning. It was super slick, and provided great protection.

 

@Bama Samurai is steering you in the right direction I've been doing it 6 weeks and it's going great good luck.

 

1/7/15
I decided that adding cold water shaving into this focus would be one too many variables, so I will drop that idea until February or March. So back to my basic focus - Ikon B1 Standard, Dusy Kabinett, TGN finest brush and Astra blades.

Prep: warm wash
Lather: Dusy Kabinett (face lather)
Brush: TGN synthetic
Razor: Ikon B1 standard
Blade: Astra SP (5)
Post: Old Spice

2 passes and a DFS.

 

I'm considering a merkur futur from the wife next month for birthday I will check your post. Will you be doing a focus with it next month?

 

Glad your still taming the snake

 

Beautiful picture!

 

Thanks. This morning was a very good shave. The biggest challenge has been coming to terms with the handle since it can be kind of slippery.

Thank you.

 

I think the biggest thing with badger brushes in general is to decide what you want out of the brush. Do you want something with good backbone and some scritch or do you want a super soft face feel. Once you have those answers, pick the grade of badger hair that ticks most of your want list.

 

Beautiful picture Clint!

 

I actually quit trying to get my neck smooth. Most shaves my face, chin, and jaw are great, and my neck has gotten better, but isn't there yet. Be sure when you shave, you have your fan off, any music off, and no water running. The sound the blade makes will help you figure out the angle. When I switched from carts, I would do work without lather, because that worked with carts. With a DE, I recommend one pass per lathering. If it didn't get smooth, re-lather before you try again. I agree with Chris on limiting yourself to two passes. What every you don't get, focus on it the next day instead of chasing the baby.

 

Thanks Mark.

 

January 2016 Focus -- Blade search for the 1958 Executive

January 7

Razor: Gillette 1958 Executive adjustable
Blade: Dorco 300 (2)
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: TOBS Lavender
Post: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel, Fine L'Orange Noir

Dorco will not be a blade I use again. I had a rough shave Tuesday night and then again this morning it was pretty bad. I was hoping after using the blade once that maybe it would be worn in and would be ok to use. Nope, not the way it worked. Really, I think the blade became even duller than it felt the first day. The WTG pass was manageable, but definite tugging, pulling and irritation. I got all the way through the pass. I sat there debating with myself, continue with dorco or just switch to the Ladas and call it a day. Then Igor or Ivan or someone piped up with a reminder that last shave the ATG got better so maybe this one would too . . . what's the worst that could happen?

Well, I stuck with the Dorco against every bit of common sense I possess (which several people would say does not amount to much) Ended my morning with 2 weepers and a ton of irritation. The ATG pass did not tug as much because of the reduction on the first pass, but it just was not comfortable. I gave the blade a try and I can scratch it off my list of blades ever to try again.
Below is not my shave but it is how the Aftershave felt hitting my face.

 

That sounds like a great plan. Watch the pressure and just go with the grain until you heal. Good luck!

 

I agree that the audible feedback from the razor is invaluable. I'm not using straights but you still get a good sound from a DE. I'm also realizing that I need to just let my neck be what it is after two passes, sometimes just one pass with touch-up. I've got to remind myself not to push it.

 

Yup! I started doing this with DEs, and have kept it up with straights. Its a good method to get repeatable results.

 

Jan 7 day 6

Not much time this morning but wanted to mention the near perfect shave minutes ago. I think I may have found the perfect blade for the Pils. Third day, third blade tried in the Pils and by far the best shave to date was with the NOS Dutch Schick blade. Two passes, the second ATG and boom.....BBS, no irritation at all.....the Lea aftershave went on without any sting, zero. I did switch to MdC soap after struggling with lather yesterday and may have to switch back to Mé soap to rule that out.

 

You might find that over time as your technique improves you will be able to do a better job on the neck in 2 passes. You might also be able to increase the # of passes as well.