You're well on your way, Chris! It took me several months to start achieving some truly GOOD shaves with a straight razor, but dedication 'to the craft' certainly paid dividends. For me, there was no turning back (i.e. back to DE razors), although I still keep a few quality DEs in the arsenal. And Route 66 is a superb product! The aftershave balm samples I'm currently using are exceptional as well. Great scents!
SOTD January 30, 2016 Focus day 27 Prep: Warm shower Blade: Schick injector Razor: Schick Eversharp G1 injector Brush: Trader Joe's synthetic Lather: Soap Commander Vision Post: Witch hazel splash spritzed with Fine Platinum, Nivea sensitive balm WTG, XTG, touch-up First foray with the Schick Injector razor, circa early 1950s. So I broke focus a little bit where razors were concerned. But, it's a really neat razor! It's lightweight but easily maneuverable. I found the Schick blade to be pretty sharp. One little weeper developed on my chin but it was taken care of with the cold water rinse and witch hazel. Overall I really enjoyed using this razor and will look forward to using it in the future with the others I have ended up with. The Trader Joe's brush is a decent brush - pretty stiff for a synthetic. It whipped up a large load of Soap Commander Vision lather. I had no trouble getting a rich, yogurty coating through a face lather. Two passes for as close to DFS as I've been. I hope you all have a great weekend!
Perry cool photo. I see you couldn't wait to use the injector. I know you were concerned about the shaving angle. Did you find it easy to begin getting the correct angle dialed in?
Yes, no angle discovery issues at all. I started with the handle 90 degrees to my face and then rotated down using tiny strokes until I heard the magic sound. For me it's an angle close to what I use with my DE razor. The terrific audible feedback helped to know you were on it. I really enjoyed it!
1/30/16 Phoenix Double OC Supermax super stainless (1) Jayaruh #27 with WD Silvertip knot Mitchell's Wool Fat Georgetown G12 Scuttle Pinaud Clubman Original A near BBS from the Phoenix DOC loaded with the Supermax Super Stainless. 2 passes with average reduction and minor touch up, followed by a cool water rinse. After doing some touch up, it became apparent that the Super Stainless was having a hard time clearing away all the stubble. I spent a considerable amount of time and effort striving to catch the baby but I found a bit of roughness on my neck each time I rinsed. The Clubman stung a good deal, but it didn't last long. The WD silvertip in my JR #27 brush had enough lather for another pass or two. While the Supermax Super Stainless provided a close shave, it wasn't as efficient in the DOC as the Gillette Silver Blue, the Rapira Super Stainless or the Feather. I like my new silvertip brush, but I'm afraid it has started to shred something fierce - about a half dozen hairs yesterday and at least that many today. Hopefully it will settle down soon. I like the brush, but I hate seeing the brush hairs on my razor when I'm trying to shave. I hope everyone enjoys their Saturday!
SOTD January 30, 2016 Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema Razor: Gillette Super Speed Flare Tip TV Special 1958 D3 Blade: Personna Lab Blue Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat Brush: Maggard 24mm Synthetic Marble Handle Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate Aftershave: Fine L'Orange Noir. Route 66 Retro Spice Fantastic shave. First time using the TV Special and I'm very impressed with the shave, IMO all SS Flare Tips don't shave alike, I found the TV Special to be a little more efficient than my other SS. Never let the things you WANT Make you forget the things you HAVE!
Thanks Paul! I really like the Phoenix DOC. It's a pretty mild shaver and it needs to be paired with a sharp blade for the BBS. On the other hand, if you just want a quick, comfortable, easy, and smooth shave, it's pretty sweet.
Saturday, January 30, 2016 Pre: Hot Shower, Sterling Pre-Shave Soap, Chatillon Lux Pre-Shave Butter Soap: Aqua Di Parma Brush: Elite Razor TGN Silvertip Razor: Blackland Blackbird Blade: Feather #3 Post: Alum, Witch Hazel +Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter, Fine Fresh Vetiver Today's shave was outstanding. Two passes plus clean up gave me another BBS shave with the Blackbird. This is my go to DE razor now. The BB gives me an error free efficient shave and seems to work best for me with Feather blades. ADP provides good lubrication, easy lathering, with a kick butt scent. Finished with a spritz of Fine Fresh Vetiver. Hope you all are having a stupendous Saturday. N'joy your day.
The man you see on the FINE bottle looks like a fella from the 1950's. It's good to see such pictures on A.S. bottles these days-encouraging for the user.
1/30/2016 AlumiGoose with Hempel Ti Feather Pro (7) RV with Shavemac Finest Chiseled Face Trade Winds Witch Hazel F&C Capri Whipped Shea Butter A fantastic 2 pass shave this morning. I easily matched my normal work morning shave. But with the extra time and a few touch ups, I ended up with a BBS. Finished up with a splash of F&C Capri. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.
Thanks Kevin! It was all very awkward at first, it hasn't been without a nick or three. The time you spent around the 30Day last spring and early summer with Josh and Adam was also very helpful to me. I started employed skin stretching and figured out that no matter how aggressive the razor, from a Tech to a straight, it's all about blade angle and pressure. I know I've been a little quiet about asking questions, but that's only because I've watched and read people like you teach others how straights work. And yes, I am hooked on straight shaves too. The ritual practice is calming, or at least for me. The strop is almost as fun as the shave. Now, my efforts are focused on stropping, stroke pattern and gaining more economy of motion. Still fighting the drying lather issue, but I get a bit more confident and speedier each day, in the prudent way. Basically the plan is two more months nonstop, and then I say I will evaluate, but I think we already know how it will be!
Straights Focus January 30: Homemade PS Oil Stirling Synthetic Brush MDC Henry Sears and Son Queen 3/4 Stirling Unscented PSB Wholly Kaw Fougere Bouquet AS I used a couple of birthday presents for the first time this morning. My parents were very generous and sent me the razor and MDC. I got a great lather and went for a full two pass shave. The razor performed very well, and I now am feeling BBS, with just a tiny bit of irritation. My wife even confirmed how smooth, as my 5 year old son wanted her to figure out who was smoother. According to her, it was a tie, so I will take those results. I finished off with some Wholly Kaw, which I think has a great scent. Now, my son and I are off to Buffalo Wild Wings for a little father son time, so it is working out to be a great Saturday. Hope everyone does as well or better.
January 30 Pre-Shave Oil Edwin Jagger DE89 Astra Platnum (1) Hot Shower, Nivea Face wash Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush Reef Point Dragon’s Blood Alum, Pinaud Clubman, Nivea Balm Mod Cabin Honeysuckle Beard Oil Found a different bowl in the cabinet to lather. It has some texture, and curves in a bit. Definitely helps. Tried a different blade, was using feathers, but wanted to see what the Astra was like. Can't tell a giant difference. Got some Shannon Soap Bay Patchouli Grapefruit in the mail yesterday, and my Chiseled Face samples come today. So starting on the first I will be swapping through those, since the performance won't be much different between flavors. Good shave today, a little rough under my chin. Off for a putt on the bike, have a great day all!
Got a really smooth shave today. Used Sterling Barbershop soap, Badger Brush, and Fine All American Blend aftershave. This is my first time using a badger brush on Sterling soap, rather than a synthetic. It worked much better, and I get why people like this stuff so much. I didn’t do any more work on the hones before this shave, but I did 40 laps on Chromium Oxide pasted strop, 40 on linen, and 120 on leather. (That is a lot of Chromium Oxide, I did it to see if it would smooth out the shave.) Did a N/S pass, a S/N pass, and an XTG pass. BBS on face, chin, and jawline, and DFS overall. Closeness, A-, Irritation A-, Keenness B-, Smoothness A-. I will take it. Wrap up for the month. I want to like Synthetic Brushes. I don’t. My 28mm Ubersoft knot will be for sale soon, and I am either getting a boar or badger. Honing razors is hard. I think I have finally figured out how see if my foundation is good, so I can work on the polishing steps. Every treatment affects the shave quality, but the foundation of the edge is what makes or breaks the shave. I need to get a new cabinet. SWMBO is getting a little annoyed with all my shave stuff in the only bathroom in the house. Had fun this month, and glad to see all the participation and shenanigans. I will see everyone in the Feb thread for my 14th consecutive focus.
Focus- Hard Soaps Love this soap. Did one pass with the straight for a CCS. I cleaned it up with my Leresche #51 for a very nice shave. SOTD Route 66 Sweeney Todd Omega Boar Faultless Straight Alum Déjà Fougère AS Have a great weekend!
WD 6/8 Tiny boar Sterling MITA lilac Witch Hazel I only shaved my neck and cleaned up the top line for a beard. I feel lazy and haven't felt like shaving but my neck itched so I shaved it and lined up the top part so it wouldn't look funny. The sterling made my eyes water just from lathering up my neck. I did 3 passes and my neck came out at a very good DFS. I still think I could get a BBS after an ATG shave but I don't think I could do that with the straight unless I had a shorty to fit in the hollows between my neck and chin.
