April 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

04/26/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Super Pro (1)
Brush –Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – Tiki Cabernet Neroli
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Agua Limon



Fantastic 2 pass BBS shave with the first pass ATG and then XTG followed up with a few touch ups. This was my first time using the Tiki Cabenet Neroli. Love the scent and it proved to be very easy to whip up a very slick and protective lather. Followed up with witch hazel and a splash of Myrsol Agua Limon.

 

I think I might have to try the soap just based off the packaging...I'm diggin the can

 

Had a friend visit and he let me borrow the soap for this morning's shave. It's definitely on my "to buy" list for sure. I think this is a older package and the newer production is in larger containers.

 

I guess it's a good thing for now lol but then again when it comes back in stock I'm likely to order several soaps. Their captain soap sounds good.

 

I just added it to my wishlist at Maggards

 

Arko April Focus - CJB Kamisori
April 26, 2015 - Week 5 Day 1
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - CJB
Blade - (1)
Post - Cold towel, Alum, The Veg

Took the step up from the Kai Mild to the Feather Pro today. Just a few days left in the month so let's finish with the big dogs! I changed back from traditional kamisori style to using both hands and discovered that it is easier to get the blade in the right position now. My technique isn't just a two handed or a one handed kamisori but a combination of both. Looks like using both styles developed more skills than I expected. The Feather is incredibly sharp and the first pass produced just one very minor nick near the left beard line. Didn't notice it until I was lathering for the second pass. On the second pass I really felt the difference in my ability to go XTG by switching hands and grips. However, the Feather likes to teach lessons about technique as well. For instance, when making an XTG pass on the lower jaw make sure to continue the pass TOWARD the beard and don't stop short with a slight downward stroke of the razor. If you do that...........yes, @Darkbulb you'll enjoy this.....








You can see the very minor nick above the rather nasty looking slice. That is what it looked like after I finished the rest of the second pass. It isn't as bad as it looks once everything is all done.......


I did a bit of clean up on the neck with the SS/Super Max Platinum combo and felt the alum burn. Actually not too bad except in the area of mortal damage. Veg was a body splash today.

I'll continue with the Feather Pro through the last few days of working with the CJB. Getting the logistics of MAYhem worked out so will be starting that Friday. I have a feeling I'll be returning to straights in June at some level. Considering my options to further my skills (and collection) there as well.

 

@NCoxSTL It amazed me how much of difference there is between the Kai Mild and the Feather Pro blades.

 

Yeah me too. I debated going to the regular Kai from the Mild but decided to take the step up to the Feather. Honestly I felt the Feather was a bit smoother, but I think it's just because of the sharpness...less drag perhaps. Much less forgiving of a minor error though.

 

My thought on using a kamasori style blade with both hands is that it is ok because the grinds on true kamasori were developed to be used by someone else to shave you. If we are ok with the non traditional use of shave ourselves, it's not much different to change things up a little bit to do that. Can't wait to see what kind of razors you end up with.

 

True on that, and the main reason for using one hand is to make it possible to keep the Omote to the face as another person would. Some will use a kamisori with both hands and use both sides of the blade. You just have to adjust the angle for the different sides of the blade. I think it would be easier, for me anyway, to learn the traditional style than to learn that many angles and grips. When I get one I'll figure that out though.

 

I didn't feel that much difference between the regular Kai and the Feather Pro. Perhaps the regular Kai was a little less harsh.

 

Aggressive April - Day 17 (4/26/15)

Prep: Hot shower
Soap: Stirling Barber Shop
Brush: Omega 13522
Razor: Cadet OC
Blade: Rapira PL
Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm
Scent: Tommy Bahama Very Cool

Excellent 2 pass WTG & XTG shave today. The Rapira PL may be a new favorite in the Cadet, too soon to tell for sure.

 

April 27 Plans

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Merkur 37C slant bar razor
Feather blade (day 2)
Omega 98 Professional boar brush
Arko & glycerin
Two passes
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm

My shaves during Arko April have been great. I'm a new Arko user, and I have nothing but praise for its solid performance. My lathering skills have improved this month, but I still rate Arko as the best soap I've ever used. The scent became tolerable after the first two weeks.

At the end of the week, I'll begin Mayhem May. It will include my Weber PH loaded with a Feather blade and a different soap or cream each week. I've got a few new ones to try, starting with MdC. To create some additional mayhem, I plan to use different brushes too.

Blessings!

 

Focus- Injector Razors
Pre- Hot shower
Razor- Schick M2 Adjustable
Blade- Chinese Schick
Soap- Arko
Brush- Semogue 1305
Post- Cold water rinse, alum as needed
Aftershave- RR Don Marco



Really simple shave tonight. I have settled on 6 as the perfect adjustment, and feel I have mastered injectors this month.

This will probably be my last focus post for April. I have something "very" special arriving tomorrow. Look for my post in the SE and Injector party thread tomorrow night.

Enjoy your shaves and evening gentlemen. I spent the entire weekend with my family. Life does not get any better.

 

April 26th , SOTD (Shave 12 of the focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Wade and Butcher 5/8 Square point (post 1890)
Strop: Oiled Red Latigo and Linen- 30 laps on linen, 40 on leather
Razor: Gillette Red Tip- B2 (1956)
DE Blade: 7am - Stropped 30 times per edge (1st shave on blade)
Soap: B&M Saville, Bowl Lathered
Brush: Tulip Wood Brush- TGN Best Badger Knot 22mm x 54mm loft
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block
Aftershave: The Shave Den- Iced Barbershop

Had a good shave today. Did two passes with the straight, and some clean up with the DE. There are a few areas I am struggling with. The right side of my neck is generally worse than the left side, until I hit the DE. DFS tonight, with my cheeks and jawline aa solid BBS. I keep thinking I should go back to the Feather for a shave or two, but I am really enjoying using this straight. I have one more straight that has been honed sitting it its case, but it isn’t as pretty as this one.

Have learned a lot this month on getting a good lather with my badger brush. I can honestly say it was my least favorite brush before, and is in the top three now.

 

Semogue 1800
Vreto Premium Cedar-Sandalwood
Merkur 39c + PSSI (2)
Proraso AS

Excellent 3 pass shave. I'm getting consistent results with the razor even if I switch up the blades and software.

 

My Sunday evening pre work shave was a little different, as I decided to try some of the blades I got from "Try a Blade" I got two packs of the top ten mini pack, to get a feel for what types of DE blades there are out there. As an injector / SE shaver for the last few months, the choices can be bewildering in the Double Edge world. Tonight, I thought I might as well go whole hog, so I started with the Feather Hi Stainless. I immediately noticed that the blade was significantly "sharper" than either the Lord Platinum or Wilkinson Sword blades I have been using since I started traditional shaving, in November. I ended up with a very smooth close shave, but got "bit" when I did a razor maneuver that has not caused me any trouble in the past. All I can say is I am really glad I had the last few months working on no pressure with the SE and injector razors. It is now 6 1/2 hours after the shave, and it still feels very smooth... with no irritation.

 

FB focus day 27:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Stirling Frozen Tundra
FB w/Rapira PL set on 8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill AS

Back to my favorite Rapira blades. The menthol was working this morning. I am chilled and alert. I do think the Glacial AS could be called Glacial Fire, as they burn and chill at the same time.

The FB is definitely providing great shaves. This has been a successful first focus for me.

 

04/27/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade –Feather Super Pro (2)
Brush –Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HMW
Lather – Catie’s Bubbles Santal Sensuelle
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Sandalwood



Fantastic BBS 3 pass shave this morning. Did end up with one little nick but that was user error. I need to be aware of the increased blade exposure and gap when using the Super Pro blades. I know I tried the Super Pro blade back in earlier and the year and found it to be too much for me. I am sure that my technique has improved with all my focus on the Mongoose. I think that when I have used up my supply of Feather Pro and Kai Mild blades the Super Pro will be my blade of choice. As usual the Catie's Bubbles proved very easy to lather. Not quite as slick as some of my other soaps but still an excellent soap. Finished with witch hazel and a splash of Captain"s Choice Sandalwood aftershave. The CC pairs great with the sandalwood soap. Hope everyone has a great week.

 

Aggressive April - Day 18 (4/27/15)

Prep: Hot shower
Soap: Stirling Barber Shop
Brush: Omega 13522
Razor: Cadet OC
Blade: Rapira PL
Post: Witch Hazel, Nivea Sensitive Balm
Scent: Tommy Bahama Very Cool

Excellent 2 pass shave again today, this time XTG and ATG. Nice and smooth with just one weeper on my upper lip