January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Congrats on the new razor. It looks great.

 

Chris, I shave my chin area with the Feather AC similar to the way it's done at 21:00 in this video. I'm left-handed, so I use this hand for my primary grip on the entire area. Like Keith, I sometimes hold the blade steady, stretch the skin, and move my head slightly to complete a stroke. This was expecially helpful on the bulb of my chin.

I also sometimes use a two-hand grip like Keith mentions, particularly when I shave my upper lip. Lynn Abrams makes it look easy, but I really took my time. As I got more experience, I started incorporating some careful, slow XTG and ATG strokes on my chin and lower lip. I would do some XTG strokes on my upper lip, but no ATG.

No doubt, it was the most challenging area for me to shave. Over time, your shaves of those areas will get better. It's the ultimate challenge in shaving technique and focus...you'll master it.

 

Thank you very much. My wife also has a fat handle that I had replated by RazorPlate. Thanks.

 

You are too kind. Thank you. Gotta keep you guys happy with the razor porn.

 

You make a great point, I never thought of it that way. I think you're right on with the size of the window. But, I'm going to work on it just to improve my technique overall.

 

Welcome back, Herm! It's great to have you on the team!

 

You always make such a bold entrance, and now we understand why you prefer aggressive razors. It's in your DNA.

 

Well, that's a nice, easy pitch right over home plate. Would someone please knock it out of the park?

 

Thanks! I'm glad I'm back! I was going through "Focus Withdrawal". Couldn't think straight!

(Thanks for the videos. How did you get hold of my family archive?)

 

Yesterday was shave four for my January focus. I was a bit rushed, and my shave was not as good as #3, but it was still a very nice shave indeed. My 37C with ASTRA blades is wonderful to use -- using it every shave for the month is making me more appreciative of this fine razor.

In fact, I think I will do a similar focus for a month with some other favorite razors -- maybe March or April will be a Mühle R41 month!

 

The additional passes (more than the typical 3-4) to reach the desired smoothness was the reason I gravitated towards more aggressive DE razors. Since I have fairly sensitive skin that irritated easy, I found the more aggressive DE razors accomplished my goal (smooth face, no irritation, rash nor itch) considerably easier than, say, the vintage Gillettes.
Inevitably, this quest for efficient, aggressive razors led me to the path of using straight razors—a path from which I have not wandered.

 

Who you calling clowns?

 

01/09/2016
Razor – Ikon B1 OC with Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather (2)
Brush – Rubberset 400 with Omega 49 Boar Knot
Lather – Chiseled Face Trade Winds
Post - Witch Hazel followed by Captain’s Choice Bay Rum



I love weekend morning shaves since I am not usually under a time constraint. The big boar whipped up the CF Trade Winds soap effortlessly. The scent of this soap is very hard to describe but the performance is top notch. With the lather taken care of, I went with a traditional 3 pass shave using the Ikon B1 OC razor. Since the soap has good residual slickness, I took care of most of the touch ups as I went. So with a final touch up on the chin I ended with a BBS shave. No nicks, weepers or irritation. Closeness A+ and Irritation A

I finished up with the usual witch hazel followed by a splash of CC Bay Rum with menthol added. A nice way to start a dreary rainy day. Hope everyone has a great Saturday.

 

1/9/16

Phoenix Double OC
Feather Hi-Stainless (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Second shave with my Phoenix DOC loaded with a Feather.
2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Pass 2: ATG. Both with very good reduction. Followed up my second pass with a small amount of touch up with the lather already on my face. A cool water rinse and a considerable amount of touch up in a few of my trouble spots brought me both a weeper and the baby. The Pinaud Clubman stung a good deal today, but settled down quickly. The MWF left me with enough lather for at least another pass.

A nice comfortable BBS with the MWF, Phoenix DOC, and the Feather. Today took a lot more touch up than yesterday to get the BBS. It seemed during my passes that the shave was as close as yesterday, but when I found I needed to go over parts of my neck 3 times while doing my touch up, I began to wonder if the blade had lost some of its sharpness. I'll keep it another day and see if I can tell if it is the blade or perhaps a lapse in my technique. I’m pleased that 3 hours after my shave, my face still feels BBS.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

 

When I run out of Veg, I find this the closest substitute.

 

Thanks, Keith! I hope you never do.

 

I am to the point that if I have to lather up a third time, something is wrong. I have found sharp blades and razors that give me excellent shaves with two passes and sometimes a little touch up. More passes than that usually starts the irritation.

 

@RaZorBurn123 I hope you get some relief this weekend. I wish you a speedy and full recovery.

 

My family videos go way back too. I spent time in the Shave Den, even as a kid. I think the old man next door kinda liked me, but I'm not quite sure.

 

I have also found this. I can get BBS with my 34c but it's four passes and a lot of touch up. With my more aggressive razor I'm two pass with minor touch ups and I've noticed it gets my trouble spots in two. The touch ups with my ER 1924 are merely misses on my behalf. It doesn't really leave room for a slip in technique though. I'm considering a two month focus on it, the way it's going I'm not sure 1 focus is going to do it.