August 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Welcome! Blood free and pain free shaves await you! And maybe some shenanigans too!

 

August Focus Day 10:

Arko
Gem 1924
Osage Rub
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman VI Bay Rum

In my rush to pack my bag last night, I grabbed the wrong razor and forgot my brush. The razor wasn't too much of an issue, but the brush was a little more problematic. I had the Arko Stick with me, so I worked up some lather with my hands. Definitely not a voluminous lather this morning, but the slickness was there. The 1924 did it's job well, although I could have used a little more cushion. I have just a little bit of irritation in a few spots, but this could easily be due to less than stellar lather. Maybe I should consider a brushless Focus one month, just in case this happens again. Either way, the VI Bay Rum felt good and smelled better. I hope everyone has a great day.

 

August Straight Razor Focus
Very nice shave today! First time with this spike point without a big scratch Two pass DFS+ with one little weeper. It's so nice to be finally figuring out this razor because it has a wonderful edge.
Route 66 Sweeney Todd
Wolf Whiskers Brush
Otto Deutsch Hans
Alum
Thayers WH
Ogallala Bay Rum
Have fun!

 

Probably being in a rush and bad form. In the last 6 weeks, I have nicked myself under my nose and my lower lip but the worst of it is what looks like a miniature skinned knee beside my mouth.

 

Day 1
AoS best badger brush (broken in)
Proraso Green Shaving Soap Jar
Gillette New Long Comb
Astra Superior Platinum Blade.
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shut the door in an attempt to block out the chaos. Took three deep breaths and wet my face with warm water. I created a foam that was a little thin. Tomorrow I'll give my brush another shake before loading it. Lathered up and took a methodical pass with the grain. The razor felt like a new razor. I'm not sure if it was the change from a feather to the astra or just that I am really paying attention. Anywho, I lathered up a second time and took a pass across the grain. Hot water rinse followed by a cold water rinse and then a splash of Aqua Velva Ice Blue. Not BBS, but a clean shave with no nicks, cuts or irritation.

How many shaves before I should change out the Astra blade?

 

August 10, 2016

Razor: Super-109
Blade: Rapira Super Stainless (1)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Cella

I messed up my leg on Sunday to the point that this is the first day I've wanted to stand at the sink for long enough to shave. So, going into today's shave, I was working on 4 days of growth.

This week brings me to the second of the under appreciated razors in my collection- the Gillette Super Adjustable 109. I've had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this razor. I initially bought it because I wanted to try and adjustable and got it cheaply on eBay because it has small holes in the handle. (They are on both sides of the handle a little below the adjuster. It almost looks like someone took pliers to the razor, though the consensus is that it is probably internal corrosion.) Initially, I thought it a bit aggressive, even at lower settings, and put it aside. Later, after I got my first Slim, I revisited it only to realize the problem was an incomplete final quarter turn. A couple of soakings and some WD-40 took care of that issue and I was pleased to find it shaved as smoothly as the Slim. Oddly, though, the times I've used it I would end up with mild hand cramping. Looking back, I realized that the longer handle was making me unconsciously grab further down, causing my hand to work harder. This week, I am endeavoring to not fall into that trap.

Conscious of my grip, I started the pass and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure if it was the blade, the razor, or even the soap but I ended up with one of those shaves where the razor just moves across the face and the whiskers disappear with no conscious sense that there is even a blade. A very nice DFS. No cramping of the hands and just a bit of complaint from the Alum where I went a bit overboard.

Hope everyone else is doing as well today.

 

I use a DE blade 2-3 shaves then toss.

Sounds like this shave was an improvement for you. One thing that took me over a year to figure out, despite @Bama Samurai saying over and over on these threads, was riding the cap. This was the game changer for me. Keeping a very shallow angle has allowed me to get closer and much more comfortable shaves with any DE.

 

Has anyone heard from Kerry (@RaZorBurn123) in a while? I haven't seen him around much lately.

 

Your spike point is rounded off ('muted'), making it somewhat less lethal — but sharp is still sharp! Compare your Hans point (on the left, below) versus a standard, unaltered spike point on the right.
That image is from a Red Imp that constantly drew blood. Adam (Drygulch) was the beneficiary of my chronic blood-letting and took ownership of this fine but pointy razor.


Otto Deutsch tip (left); Red Imp (right)

 

Good start. I generally change blades after 3 shaves, but some wait until the blade feels tuggy.

 

And I rarely use the Imp because of it's bloodletting capability. Its a really nice survivor, and I don't want to be the one to mute the tip, but its a beast to use.

 

Whoever owned it before must have muted it. This thing bites bad enough, I can't image the Red Imp.
I've never had anything to compare this with. Thanks for the pics.

 

Want to borrow the Imp? I offer because we need some entertainment on this month's 30 Day Thread I feel there is a great opportunity to for you develop your skills as a straight razor user.

 

August 2016 Adjustable August

August 7, 8

Razor: 58 Executive set on 6
Blade: Treet King
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: MITA, TSD Interceptor
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block

Sometimes life just gets in the way of hanging out on Shave Den. Been one of those weeks. Between my wife's job ending and her looking for work, me wanting to get out of where I am and into something new, storms causing damage at my house and at my father's place, having no power one morning, craziness at work, and my car deciding it needed to call it quits, I have not had time to be on here. I have shaved a couple times along the way. Still been using my Executive and have used the Treet King blade, which actually was not too bad a blade. It is similar to the Ladas blade. Fairly sharp and fairly smooth. It is not a 5 out of 5 on either, but it is a good all around blade. The couple of shaves I have had so far have been DFS and near BBS with no irritation. I am hoping I can get back on more now that everything seems to be slowing back down a little bit.

 

Sure. I'm always happy to provide entertainment (bloody wounds) for you vultures

 

Who will stay who will go focus

Today's razor is my PRC Chimera. This razor is one of my tops so the probability of being kicked out the den is very low. It is fresh off the pasted strops.

The edge was smooth and sharp. I find the maneuverability and comfort in handling a wester grind straight a pleasure. The razor did not disappoint, 4 passes and only a tickle from the alum and BBS. As across the board.

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness A+ Sharpness A

 

BEWARE the TIP!!!

 

It's a beautiful razor, isn't it?

 

Fine razors, those Red Imps be.......but beware the.....well, you know.

 

Sounds like you had a Zen Shave. Where everything from hard & software to your improved technique flowed into a pleasant experience. Shave Nirvana. Congrats! I wish you many more.