January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

My January focus turned into a cream focus. This is two shaves in one post. Both with the same hardware, Wade and Butcher 5/8 blade, Omega 48 brush. Both face lathered one with the Simpsons cream, the other aos sandelwood. Both were straight only, no de clean up. Wtg and xtg on face and 2x wtg on neck. Close attention paid to light pressure and thoroughness. Rewarded with a couple of dfs.

 

23 January 2016

Planned Day 23 - 90 Day intro to SR



Ralf Aust 5/8 Full Hollow
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
TSD Iced SubZero AS
Pinaud Clubman


Have a great weekend!


​

 

Focus - Hard Soaps
I am very thankful to those of you that encouraged me to join the 30 day focus last July. It has made a huge difference for me. I focused on hard soaps this month because I could never get as good a lather with soap as I did with cream. Now after three weeks of focus, I am getting good lather with soaps I had struggled with in the past. This is fun.
SOTD
Mike's Natural Soap
Omega boar brush
Stahly w/ Weber Bulldog handle
GSB (3)
Alum
Pitrulon Classic AS
Have a great weekend!

 

That's great. I know nothing of straights but can appreciate the time and skill that would take. You must be really happy with the results

 

When I shaved yesterday, on Glen's fresh edge, it made me realize that my stropping needs work. At this point in time, I don't want to complicate matters by learning to hone. It's a very special skill set, and we're lucky to have guys like Glen around the forum.

 

I'm glad your getting good results. It's great to see someone so far into the focus group still enjoying and learning.

 

I can't think of myself not finding something to focus on every month. I can always learn something. I'm already thinking ahead to next month. I'm thinking injectors for a month.

 

That sounds good. I'm always thinking ahead I'm thinking although very boring I should go back to my first focus for half and give my 1924 another run on the 2nd half just to be sure I am were I think I am before moving on.

 

January 2016 Focus -- Blade search for the 1958 Executive

January 20-23

Razor: Gillette 1958 Executive adjustable
Blade: GSB
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: Tabac
Post: Cold water rinse, Witch Hazel, Fine Platinum

Been out of town on a business conference/training. Incredibly boring but at least I haven't been in the office. Been trying to catch up on the hundreds of posts. Glad Neal doing better and sounds like all the SR guys are doing well including the newbies!

Been using my Executive with the GSB to compare to the Bolzano. Both blades are excellent. I think the Bolzano is sharper but by the third shave or was not as smooth as the GSB after several more shaves. Definitely will continue using these two blades on a regular basis.

Will be out of town until Sunday and fortunately am driving so won't be in all the flying mess on the east coast.

 

That's a beautiful picture. I like the graining in the background and the slight reflection of the razor. Well done.

 

Great picture! What type of camera are you using?

 

I just broke focus I had an early morning shave planned, but my wife is out and my son is in bed so boredom struck. Out of interest and to track development I broke out my starting razor. The merkur 34c with a new Astra blade. I had an extremely enjoyable, care free shave i didn't chase the baby and settled for DFS but it was genuinely pleasant to not have to concentrate to much. The post care feels great and I'm very happy overall. I will see the focus out with my 1924 though.

 

Thank you!!

 

Amen brother!

 

Less is more!

 

If you will I'd like to solicit your opinions. This concerns next month's focus (it'll be here soon).

I have some new razors that I'd like to try. I've been disciplined in sticking with the 3-piece razor that I've used all this month. It has worked very well but I have nothing to compare it to you yet.

Should I try each razor for a week? Should I choose one of the razors and try it for a month (with opt-out privileges of course in case I don't like it)?

Razor options: I have a Maggard MR1 handle with closed and open comb heads, courtesy of @youngunn and the December Newbie giveaway. I was lucky to win a PIF from @Marverel as well as be a recipient of his generosity from the Newbie giveaway. I have a Dr. Dittmar razor (with 1904 handle) from him, as well as a Rimei razor and Wilkinson razor, all from Martin.

I have a few straights from @Troy M (another PIF win) but those will need to wait! I'm not ready to try them yet, but the dark side will be calling down the road.

Additionally, I plan to keep some type of schedule where I use the same soap on Monday-Thursday, and then alter it over the weekend. I will most likely use my new Omega 10049 boar brush as part of the focus too.

What do you guys think? I know we're still in January but I want to start planning ahead and getting ideas.

 

I would suggest picking one razor as I don't think a week is long enough to really give a razor a chance or master it. I could be wrong but I believe for new comers it takes almost a full focus to master a new razor. Of course it's up to you at the end of the day. I seem to remember a member posting, you will become a jack of all razors but a master of none. It must be hard not to explore all your options but advice I received early on was master technique and take time and enjoy whimsical shaving later with a higher skill set.

 

I agree with you. It's tempting to try all the razors I have, of course! My focus this month was getting in and building technique, which I certainly have done. I'm much better and farther along than I was at the beginning of the month. But of course there is still much, much more to do and learn.

 

We are all different as are all razors you may find a few of the razors quite similar and master them quickly. This is what I expected going into my 1924. I give myself ten days to master it and quickly realised it was a whole new skill to learn basically starting all over again. I'm only just getting consistent good shaves now. what about using the Maggard for the focus but changing the heads half way through? This way it keeps it interesting while keeping the handle the same keeps some consistency. This would also help me get opinions on open vs closed

 

I like it! I've never used an open comb before and want to try it. That's a good suggestion Tom. Thanks!