August 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Back from vacation and ready to start my August focus. I have purchased a number of new straight razors so it is time to sort them out and make some decisions on who will stay in the den and who will move on to new homes. This focus will run through September.

Up today is a new razor from our own Kevin, @HolyRollah , a George Wostenholm & Son wedge.

I usually prefer wider razors but this wedge is still heavy. The edge was very smooth and still sharp. The edge felt so smooth I decided to take a very aggressive angle with the shave and was rewarded with BBS and only the faintest tickle with the alum.

For me traditional shaving is not for nostalgia nor to save money, it is about getting a better shave. For both DE and straights the razors I favour are all modern with the exception of my Barbasol Floating Head DE. This razor is tempting to keep just for the cool etching but the shave it delivered today was excellent in results and feel. So even though it is from the mid 1800's I think this one is a keeper and will make the rotation.

 

So based on a dare from @NCoxSTL, I purchased this razor: https://www.mdbarber.com/product-p/md0081srs.htm. The seller says it is honed by hand up to 30k, and the price includes one additional honing.

The dare was to use it with no touch up or stropping as it was delivered. It came in a nice leather case that was an extra option I didn't pay for. Scales are metal, with an ugly design in the metal. (This is the least offensive design they have.) The blade is just a hair under 5/8 of an inch. I would guess this is a Chinese blade, but don't know for sure. That is encouraging because those have decent steel and can be honed to a good edge.

So I wanted to check the edge to see what I was in for. Started by putting a little hand soap in my face and doing a WTG pass
At the top of my cheek. Pulled out a few hairs, and irritated my face, but not much reduction. I then did the arm hair test, and it wouldn't tree top hairs, or cut them at skin level. Below is a microscope picture of the edge. Looks like the bevel isn't set, I think.

A dare's a dare, so I'm still going to do this. This is going to be a fantastic shave. I am going to do at least one pass with this beast. I will use the shavette with a Russian blade for clean up, because I don't think this eazor is currently capable of a two pass shave.

 

I am sure you are thinking about someone else. I would never try to trick influence anyone into such dark arts.

 

Too late to try and withdraw your influence. I submitted an offer on one. We will see what happens.

 

But.....but.......they said shave ready!!! You're an honest and honorable man. I look forward to seeing the report.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

Kamisori inbound.

 

Welcome back! In style, too. Looks like a museum piece! You should keep that one based on day one. ~170 years ago, some men were so good at blade making, that it still functions exactly as intended, but only for those possessing the techniques to keep the steel alive. And after all, @HolyRollah is gonna end up in a book, written in 2087, about the masters of the restored/custom straight razor scene of 2012-20??.

 

Wow! Kanji!

It's raining nice steel lately.

 

AAA
Day 5 - GSB 1


​

Another terrible shot. Apologies, I made it BW so no one has to endure retinal after-images from the red label. Now, Day five...after yesterday's technical deduction and penalty, today was back up to snuff. WTG plus ATG produced DFS so I let stand with a 9.7 from the panel. Isn't there something going on in Rio, like mosquitoes and a crime wave? No! The Games, ah yes! That's why I was recalling the good old days of undetected steroids in the eighties when all of the sudden...humankind "evolved" into a markedly stronger and more athletic species in the stunning span of 6-8 years. watching guys fast enough to win equestrian events, without using a horse...that's must-see television. Different subject, but I lived in Houston during ML Baseball's Steroid-fueled HR Assault of the late nineties. Best baseball in years! Rant over. Day six up next. Two blade month? Maybe. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a nice evening!
​

 

Wow, nice!

 

I am sure this one will remain in the den. Good thing I have documentation @HolyRollah restored this razor, that is sure to make my heirs happy when they settle my estate.

 

I am sure the bevel is fine, you just need to adjust the focus on your microscope,

 

I have a couple of his restorations. They are definitely keepers!

 

Not sure. There is a thin shiney line song the edge. It's hard to get good pictures with the scope software, but it was visible.

 

August Focus Day 6:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Route 66 Ghost Town
Ever-Ready 1914
Stirling Unscented PSB
Avon Leather AS

Yesterday was a no shave day for me, so I had two days of growth to work with today. The 1914 was up to the challenge, as it gave me a DFS+ on two easy going passes. This razor is a nice smooth shaver. It is quickly making its way to the top of my keeper list. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Saturday Shave

Brush- Semogue 620
Razor- PAL adjustable
Blade- Chinese Schick
Soap- Route 66 Barbershop Hop
Post Care- Crystal Alum
Thayers Witch Hazel
Osage Rub

Wow! What an excellent shave I got with this PAL adjustable! I started on the H setting (which I believe is the lowest?) and went WTG. Tons of reduction, nice audible feedback and zero hesitation. I then relathered and went up 1 setting for my XTG pass. Again it was very smooth. The final ATG is usually where I get some hesitation, especially around my chin. Not so this morning. The PAL just slid right through what whiskers I had left, which weren't many. For a first shave with a razor I'm very impressed. As usual the Route 66 soap performed flawlessly. I'm starting to get the feel for how much water to use with the Semogue and it's getting better and better. Zero feedback from the alum and a double dose of Osage Rub has me prepared for the day. I'm going to go throw some lead through some paper this morning. Have a great day folks!

 

Straight Razor Focus
This is the third razor I honed the other day. I decided to mute the point because it bit me on a test shave. Today I had a very nice two pass shave for a DFS. No blood! I now like this blade.
TOBS Sandalwood Cream
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Adoration Razor
Alum
Lucky Tiger
Pinaud Vanilla AS
Have a great weekend!

 

Nice post Brian. If you can work it out to retire early DO it. I did, and highly recommend it

 

It's something I'm working towards. Thanks for the encouragement.