January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Thank you Tom.

 

1/28/16 - no photo today. The Blackbird and Persona blue blade continue to provide outstanding 2 pass shaves. I did a little touch up on my neck and called it good. This blade is really starting to impress me. Shave #12 was nearly as smooth as shave #1 and shows no signs of letting up. I will keep using it until it no longer provides a good shave or at least for 2 weeks - which will take me to Saturday. Not sure if that would impress my frugal Scots grandmother, but it does me.

 

I'm amazed how good your blades are doing. Is this entirely down to the blackbird or is technique a factor?

 

I'm thinking that the razor has a lot to do with the angle. I seem to instinctively get a low angle and I think that helps.

 

If angle has bearing on a blades lifespan then my angle is horribly wrong on my 1924. I'm barely getting 3 shaves per gem. Could be something For me to look at.

 

I know nothing about SEs so hopefully someone will chime in. I can't honestly say if the razor has anything to do with it, other than perhaps a placebo effect. But, I've never gotten this many shaves out of a DE blade, unless it was back in the late 70's when I started shaving off the soft down of an early teenager.

 

January 28 - Day 8, Shave 7
Edwin Jagger DE89
Feather (1)
Pre-Shave Oil
Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood
Alum, Pinaud Clubman
Mod Cabin Honeysuckle beard oil

Getting a little better technique, learning how my beard grows and how to shave it.

 

Everyone is different. I get between 8-10 daily face shaves per Gem SS coated blade.

 

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Pre: Hot Shower, Sterling Pre-Shave Soap, Proraso Green Pre-Shave
Soap: Strop Shoppe Baker Street
Brush: @clint64 Rubberset 400 #3 Omega 1066
Razor: The One Blade
Blade: GEM Super Stainless #4
Post: Alum, Witch Hazel +Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter, Fine Fresh Vetiver

 

The Gem blades seem to be treating you well in the One Blade.

 

Focus - Hard Soaps
I'm looking forward to changing focus next month as I think 28 days of hard soaps has worked. I'm now getting consistently good lather with all of my soaps. Some of them take more water than others, but I start out each soap with less water than I think I'll need and add water until I get the lather I'm looking for. No more soap frustrations
I like today's soap a lot and it will stay in my arsenal.
SOTD
Dr. John's Aphrodite soap
Doug Korn brush
Leresche #51
Nacet Stainless (3)
Alum
Florida Water AS
Have fun!

 

The scent descriptions for this soap look interesting - apple, pomegranate, rose, and the other word is blocked by the razor. Sounds good though.

 

The other word is Black Current. This soap has a slightly sweet floral scent. I like it.

 

First time ever I've seen of R66 AS, glad you liked it!

 

Sounds like so far so good! Also, a very nice photo today!

 

@RaZorBurn123 must be a coveted tester for the after shaves!

 

Also @TomJ89de

If blade angle is too high, it will roll the edge and dull the blade. It sounds like Tom might want to drop his angle. Clint is right, it varies for everyone, but three seems a bit low in my estimation.

 

Apparently so!

 

That razor design is so interesting, I am glad you're using it this month! I enjoy seeing it in your photos.

 

I'm going with a new blade shortly so will keep it in mind I'm also going to try taking the top off an old blade and splitting it to pack out the new blade as suggested by billyfergie. He said the blades where thicker back in the day and it will make it smoother.