January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Nooooooooooooooooooo!

 

Thanks for your kind words! When the feel of a new blade is readily apparent, you are well on the way to shaving nirvana.

 

I love those big Seiko Automatics! Great watches.

 

Never sharpened a chisel but I am sure a razor can be honed on a power bench grinder but...... it will likely results in some cool scars and chicks dig scars.

I think this one falls under, 'Hey y'all watch this!'

 

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Pre: Hot Shower, Sterling Pre-Shave Soap, Chatillon Lux Pre-Shave Butter
Soap: Strop Shoppe Baker Street
Brush: Thater 4125 3 Band
Razor: The One Blade
Blade: GEM Super Stainless #3
Post: Alum, Witch Hazel +Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter, Fine Platinum

Another great shave with The One Blade. It's so easy it's habit forming. Near BBS on 2 passes plus clean up today. This the third shave with a GEM SS was smooth and efficient, no nicks, no cuts, and no weepers. The Thater 3 Band bulb is very soft, has medium backbone, with a luxurious full face feel. Finished with a nice splash of Fine Platinum. Have a Wicked Wednesday everyone.

 

Welcome back, again. I was wondering if things had gotten rough again.

 

Glad I could provide something helpful to someone in the world of straights! I know exactly what you mean by fairly easy to learn but difficult to master. I found a couple of small cuts in my mustache area as the day went on. Nothing too bad, but enough to remind me that I still have to focus and pay attention.

 

I was enamored with the idea of straights quickly after making the switch from carts. The extra work and lack of results when I did my first few shaves made me rethink and kept me from working at them more. I spent the better part of the year working on technique through these threads, which really prepared me more for the Pain Stick and straight.

Now, I look forward to some of the maintenance like stropping. It really isn't more work, just a bit more time.

 

I like the scales on your razor.

What do you use the Dovo paste on?

 

Welcome back Neil. I pray that you will fully recover and stay that way. Don't give in to Ivan when he tries to get you to eat any forbidden food now...

 

I tried a different brush today. It was a 10mm boar basting brush from woodcraft. I've been doing test lathers and changing the length of the bristles with wrapped electrical tape. I think I got it now. Arko paired well with it and dispite its tiny size held enough lather for 2 passes. I used my Parker style shavette loaded up with half a GSB. First pass N/S, second pass S/N for a solid DFS. Followed it all up with a cold water rinse and Axe Shield balm.

 

Clan Brus through my mother's family. My first ancestor in America was a British Army soldier who was in South Carolina and later settled in Georgia as a farmer. He was from Wales.

 

He uses Murica's finest y'all...

 

Also, if you do ever happen to attempt honing a straight on a bench grinder, please video record the process. Please post that video to this thread.

 

I use a linen strop but I am sure leather would work too. When I use CrOx it is on a leather strop.

 

and video tape and post the shave too

 

And the ER visit. We won't make fun of it, promise.

 

So do you use multiple strops?

 

26 January 2016

Day 26 - 90 Day Intro to SR



Whipped Dog "Sight Unseen" 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
Barbus

...And a good shave was had by all!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
​

 

SOTD January 27, 2016
Focus day 24

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Astra SP (4)
Razor: Wet Shave Club 3-piece
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Proraso White
Post: Witch hazel splash, Nivea sensitive balm

Nice shave this morning. I have enjoyed this combination of products. It is interesting to see how much better I'm lathering the Proraso when compared to earlier this month in addition to learning the vagaries of the brush. I can get immense amounts of rich, thick, cushioning lather now with consistent results. It just goes to show that using a soap repeatedly can help you learn to dial it in. We all know each soap is different and we're sometimes disappointed with the lather we get. It's tempting to use all the soaps in our dens in some type of rotation but I've learned the benefit of focusing on one soap for a period of time.

The Astra blade continues to perform well. I guess the cartel has bought me - I have used Rapira and Astra to great success this month. I'm going to try Voshkod soon.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday!