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

Are you used to Old Types? I found last month that I had to really focus not to get missed spots. Angle on those is more specific than my other DEs I think.

 

Nice B&W!

 

Thanks Charlie! We're trying to figure out a way to stay!

 

Feb 17 Focus Shave 13

Today's razor is a Portland Razor Co Western grind kamisori on it's second shave after a refresh on Shapton 12/16k then Dovo red/black paste.

Very smooth edge an uneventful 4 pass shave, no blood no fuss. I really felt I nailed this shave. Alum test gave zero feedback. I was surprised that the shave was not BBS, just DFS.

Irritation A+ Closeness B+ Smoothness A+ Keenness A-

Huntlee
Simpson Tulip 2 Super silver tip
Woodhead scuttle
PRC Western grind kamisori
Harold Russian leather strop
Lucky Tiger AS
L'Occitane Cade ASB
Davidoff Silver Shadow

 

Thanks!

 

The only blades I have found locally around here are the CVS and Walgreen blades, which are Israeli Personnas in disguise, and VDH blades in one spot and the Microtouch One blades at Walmart. Apparently your pharmacy is better stocked than any in the STL area.

 

Walgreens in Denver is carrying Gillette branded DE blades now. Will issue a full report confirming this on Thursday when I get home.

 

This is my second go round with the Old Type. I did a few days shortly after I got it, 15 days in October, and 16 days this month. Sometimes I feel like its really great and sometimes I wonder why I need to go over spots so many times. It seems like my hardest areas are where the angle changes and where stretching my skin makes the whiskers lay down. You could be right. The most efficient angle feels pretty narrow at times.

 

I'm with Neal, I haven't seen anything other than those he mentioned in any of the drugstores in Atlanta. There are a few independent drug stores that might have premium blades, but I haven't gotten around to checking them out. The local Walgreens does carry the GEM Super Stainless SE blades by Personna. And there is an Asian grocery store near me that carries Wilkinson Sword DE, but they seemed very expensive.

 

CVS carries their own branded SE as well. I think they are GEM in disguise. I also saw them in Walgreens at one point. As for the price? Yes, all more expensive than other options but that's the price you pay for convenience I suppose. I haven't bought any of the DE blades nor will I. If they'd start carrying some other brand I might be tempted to try.

 

My local pharmacy is a tiny locally owned place and a 10 pack of Wilkinson sword blades is a whole $1.29 plus tax. I like them pretty well but I like other blades more. My fiance gets 3 shave day showers out of each one and she shaves every other day so a 10 pack lasts 2 months sometimes more. I like GSB, Astra and Kai way too much to buy the Wilkinsons for myself. My beard eats them dull in 2 days.

 

Two Russians and the Kai. If I ever find Ivan and the boys I"ll send them around with some vodka for your good taste.

 

I would try dollar store blades but they are all pakistani blades. I havent had a good shave out of a pakistani blade yet so Ill hold out till I see the labels switch to the personna blades. I like those most days.

 

They stopped by just the other day with dark german beer and cavier. Not a good combination. You need to get the boys back on vodka before they hurt themselves.

 

I see your lots and lots of Feathers and raise you a ton of Voskhod!

 

Yeah. Dark beer and caviar. Those boys have cast iron stomachs.

 

If they were Personna Lab Blues in disguise I wouldn't have a problem. I just don't do Israeli blades. Pakistani blades? Yeah, that's one step up (maybe) from Bangleshi blades. And that step starts very low.

 

2/17/16

Gillette Old Type
Gillette Silver Blue (3)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
The Strop Shoppe Baker Street
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



A nice 2 pass and touch up BBS from the Gillette Old Type and the Gillette Silver Blue with an assist from the Strop Shoppe Baker Street. No cuts, no weepers, no whiskers.

I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

Straights Focus February 17:

WD High Mountain Badger 30 mm
Palmolive Classic SC
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Aqua Velva AS

I had a very nice shave this morning. It was one pass with some clean up resulting in a DFS. I had just a slight tickle from the alum. I don't know what else to really say, it was just smooth and comfortable. The Palmolive was great as always, and it is always nice to finish with the Aqua Velva. Have a great Wednesday.

 

02/17/2016
AlumiGoose with Triad SS
Feather Super Pro (4)
Olivewood with TGN Finest Fan
Chiseled Face Trade Winds
Witch Hazel
Myrsol F/Extra
Whipped Shea Butter


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I started with the AlumiGoose and Feather Super Pro combo right out of the gate in the January Focus thinking that the AlumiGoose would shave just like my B2 Mongoose. This was not the case and the shaves suffered. Now after spending more time with the AlumiGoose I thought revisiting the Super Pro was in order. With the Super Pro blade being both thicker and deeper front to back, the blade exposure and blade gap are both increased. I could certainly feel the blade on the face more this morning. With a very light touch, I went, ATG & XTG, followed by touch ups in my trouble spots ending in a near perfect shave. I think I am going to like this combo a lot. Finished with a splash of Myrsol F/Extra. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.