February '16 - 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion Thread

I have the RazoRock, Stirling and Maggard and Plisson.
And a couple of synthetics....

 

My experience is if I am in a rush or not focused put down the straight and pick up another razor. At least it doesn't sound like there will be any scars.

 

The sad part is there really wasn't any reason to rush. I think that I did because I didn't want to leave my wife handling the baby by herself for too long. Don't know why I felt that way, as she has had plenty of practice, but that is what was going through my head. Luckily, I caught myself before the cuts were too bad. You can't even tell now. I am glad it wasn't a pain stick, as I probably would have had a pretty decent cut on my upper lip.

 

Day 15 - repeater focus

The type C2 is the third repeater in my focus and will be using it for the next week or so. Today it was a pleasant
2 pass DFS.

 

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Soap: Barrister & Mann Bay Rum
Brush: B&B Essential Boar
Razor: Seyguswith UFO Godzilla Red Bronze
Blade: Feather #1
Post: Small Batch Shave Tonic

 

Great picture! You have the best bowls.

 

February Focus - German blades

February 15

Razor - Merkur 23c
Blade - (3)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, The Veg

A late night Happy President's Day. The weekend sale has ended, successfully for me I might add, and I now have two days off to sit and do nothing. Yeah, like that will happen. I started today with the final shave on the Merkur Super Platinum blade. BoSFat for the marvelous lather to start.

I ended up only doing two passes today. The main reason was because of the final result the past two days after three passes. No BBS, so I focused on a two pass DFS and got it. I'm also confident another pass wouldn't have improved it significantly to help the rating. No nicks/weepers again but again not as smooth as the competition and just a lackluster performance compared to the two top blades so far. I'll give it four steins since I did get the DFS in two passes.

My overall impression of the blade after three shaves is.........ho-hum. Not a terrible blade, but definitely not top tier. Middle of the road is more like it. In the hands of a newbie who just purchased his first Merkur razor and used the blade that comes with it I suspect it can be quite harsh and disappointing. Technique overcomes a multitude of sins in blades and I'm glad I didn't try this one early on. For the "old timers" this is a serviceable blade. Beyond that, I"d pass.

​

 

So, where's Samurai been?



Hello 30DC!

I have been on a whirlwind tour of the South!



Every night. DFS. When traveling, LA Toja.

Know this.

And all is quiet Callaway County, Kentucky, US of A!

Have a terrific Tuesday!




Edit: pic is outside of Paris, TN, Monday at 3pm.

 

I'm jealous, I want to go to Paris too.

 

Thanks Robyflexx! I just took some advise on introductory Badger brushes and wound up with a winner.

 

Thanks Charlie, yes we had a wonderful day as well. We'll be married 17 years next month. Life is good.

 

Straights Focus February 16:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman AS

A nice one pass with clean up on the jaw line this morning resulting in a CCS. I am heading back to work after a few days off to enjoy with my family and new baby. The Clubman has me ready. Have a great Tuesday.

 

2/16/16

Gillette Old Type
Gillette Silver Blue (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Chiseled Face Trade Winds
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



2 passes with very nice reduction, followed by some minor touch up with the lather on my face after the second pass. A cool water rinse and a little more light touch up in my problem areas and I thought I had caught the baby. The Clubman stung less than usual today. Chiseled Face Trade Winds provided plenty of slick and creamy lather for the shave and I had enough for an additional couple of passes if I'd needed it.

A comfortable injury free near BBS provided by the Gillette Silver Blue in my Gillette Old Type with an assist from Chiseled Face Trade Winds. About 30 minutes after the shave I realized that I could have used some touch up in an area of my neck that I usually have no problem with. I'll put that miss down to lack of focus.

I hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

 

02/16/2016
AlumiGoose with Triad SS
Feather Pro (7)
Olivewood with TGN Finest Fan
Chiseled Face Trade Winds
Witch Hazel
Fine L’Orange
Whipped Shea Butter


​

Today was the last shave with this Feather Pro blade. I could tell yesterday it was nearing the end so I went with a traditional 3 pass shave this morning. Results were pretty much the same ending with a near BBS after some minor touch ups. Finished up with a splash of Fine L'Orange. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.

 

30 Day Focus February 16, 2016

Noxema preshave cream
Gillette Heavy Tech / Derby Extra
Omega / Valobra Unscented
WH / shea butter / Proraso Blue ASB

Fine shave again this morning. I am so pleased with the smoothness of the Derby. It still has retained a sharp edge, but it is not unpleasant. I reopened one tiny weeper from the other day...but nothing major. Just a darn fine shave. After three shaves with the Derby Extra I am getting lots of positive vibrations from this blade. Not sure what all the fuss has been about. I know, I know...YMMV.

 

SOTD February 16, 2016
Focus day 16
Day 1 of open comb use and comparison

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Personna lab blue (1)
Razor: Maggard MR1 open comb
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Ginger's Garden Salty Mariner
Post: Witch hazel splash, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

First use with the Maggard open comb razor today. I'll be using it to compare with the closed head. First impressions are favorable. It does seem a little more aggressive than the closed comb and I'll continue to evaluate the rest of this month. The sound of the blade cutting the hairs also seems a little different.

Only very light beard growth this morning since I shaved yesterday afternoon so the open comb comparison didn't receive the normal treatment on this first shave. Tomorrow should be more representative of my daily shaves as far as beard growth.

The Satin Tip brush whipped up great lather from the Ginger's Garden Salty Mariner soap. The lather was nice and thick and the post-shave feel was really great. I'm impressed with Ginger's Garden so far!

CCS today but my neck is recovering from some irritation yesterday. I had to go very light on the base of my neck in hopes of not irritating it further.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday!

 

February 16
Edwin Jagger DE89
Feather (3)
PSO, Hot Shower, Nivea Face wash
Omega 10066 Boar Shaving Brush
Route 66 A Perfect Gent soap
Alum, Chiseled Face Trade Winds AS

Three pass, no touch up. Alum only stung in one spot. Getting good at face stretching, I think in makes a difference with DE, and just getting used to it for a Straight soon. Can't find any rough spots so I'm gonna call BBS. Have a great day!

 

Just been for a delightful family meal. The place served chips in shaving bowls
I thought it best to tell my wife it was in her bag upon arriving home

 

Another top class pic clint

 

Thank you Tom. I hope your day is going well.