April 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix&Discussion Thread

We have our eye on him. He seems to have the courage, the grit, the potential stupidity, but can he master the pose? That is the question.

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When it was time for me to try SR, having been able to read Adam's posts as he learned and discussed it with @HolyRollah last year made my learning curve not so bad. @Keithmax journaled much of his intermediate curve here too, reinforcing and adding to what I'd already read. The straight razor daily thread is a great group of guys. TSD in general is pretty amazing. Post a question and you'll get all the answers in a couple of hours!

You'll dig the strop too.

 

I bet when that dude in the pic called in to Putin's yearly TV Q&A yesterday...Vladimir was unimpressed.

 

Hey I was young and dumb then. I've moved on to much better things. How's that for a pose?

 

Well it takes a lot to impress Putin. I mean, after all.........

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And that's the difference between experience and wisdom...

 

I think that qualifies for instant Cartel membership. Добро пожаловать товарищ!

 

In Soviet Russia, the bubbly toasts you...

 

Angle of Attack April Focus

I've been scheduling my shaves for every 36 hours or more. Seems to have reduced the frantic frustration of trying to keep the smooth face feel.

Today I dug deep in my den and found a sample of a Barrister & Mann Ferox soap. The scent of this 2013 edition tallow is like a newly sharpened pencil - fresh cut cedar wood. It lathers thick and creamy. I've heard folks say," Yogurt" and this is it. Very nice post shave feel. Unfortunately is seems to be unavailable now. Add to that a fresh Lagniappe blade in the J-1 Schick injector courtesy of @Bama Samurai. I've quit trying to get a Gillette Slide from this razor. Wrong technique only causes irritation. No nicks or burn from the alum block. Finished with a splash of Avon Wild Country, and a dab of Cremo Moisturizer for a often sought, but rarely achieved BBS.

 

Glad you're getting results!

Have you tried skin stretching, a la straight razor style with the J? I can get to nearBBS in two passes with skin stretches and 2passes and some touch (WTG/Hybrid). Do you find the feel of an injector blade to be "solid" like a straight? I do, and think it's one of the best parts of injector shaving. In my routine, the blades last 10-14 shaves due to being heavier gauge steel. This brings the price per shave into DE territory.

 

Making shave faces generally gets it done for me. Raising or lowering my jaw, or tipping my head to the side brings most every surface to a tautness suitable for DFS quality. I've found the correct angle with the Schick, although I haven't counted uses per blade. With The West Coast Bunny Pass Around progressing only @JR Reyes and @DaltonGang in Texas ahead of me, I'm feeling very comfortable and much less the casual injector user.
I didn't realize the blades were thicker than a DE type. It most certainly could change the quality of beard reduction!

 

I am back in the game! This morning's shave was sublime.
Blade: Gillette 7 o'clock
Brush: Vonel Professional
Soap: Arko
Razor: Muhle r89.

Cold water shave, zero irritation definitely between a DFS and BBS. 2 passes, 1 WTG, 2nd XTC.

Happy Friday all.

 

Straights Focus April 15:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
MdC
Greaves and Sons
Stirling Unscented PSB
Wholly Kaw Fougere Bouquet AS

This was my first shave with this razor after a @gssixgun restoration breathed some new life into it. This is me second wedge, and I really enjoy shaving with them. I probably still prefer a hollow grind, but the way the wedge just mows through whiskers is fun. I got a nice CCS as the razor silently did it's job. I am really looking forward to working with this razor down the road. Tomorrow, I am going to try a razor I got in a trade that Glen honed for me. Have a great day.

 

Hey!! Where did you get my picture? That was a private event.

 

That's funny.

 

SOTD
April 15, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Gillette Aristocratic
Blade: Ladas
Lather: The Strop Shoppe Russian Tea
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft Disruptor
Post: Thayers Rose Petal WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Folsom & Co. Black Powder
I want to thank Clint @theFAT98 for giving me the heads up about The Strop Shoppe, this soap is fantastic! They will no longer be making soaps but I just checked Maggards and they have a wide variety in stock, if you don't have this soap maker in your den this is your only chance. I love my Gillette Aristocrat! Smooth shaving. The RR Disruptor has plenty of backbone.
You have to give a little to get a little.

 

Will another Menthol Maniac be born??? Will it be Menthol Crystals next? Gotta love the burn!

 

Nice set up K. Noxema is an excellent preshave at a reasonable price.

 

04/15/16
Cobra Classic
Feather Pro (5)
BSB-2 with Vie-Long 2 band
Mystic Water Orange Vanilla
Fine L'Orange
Whipped Shea Butter

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I was running a little behind this morning. I did get the shave in but decided to wait until a little later to post. I whipped up the last of the MW Orange Vanilla. The residual slickness of MW soaps allow me to touch up areas with just a splash of water without re-lathering. This morning was proof that the Cobra Classic is now qualified as a work morning razor. Despite running late and feeling generally like crap, I managed a drama free near BBS shave. I finished up with a splash of Fine L'Orange. I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday.

 

Thank you Mark! Noxema is definitely a good option for anyone, you can't beat the price per-use. The weird thing is I'm using my products then my wife