August 2018 30 Day Rule/focus Pix & Discussion

Ok now you're just showing off you and your fancy pants languages. However, I like it! For me to join Anglophile August the best I could do would be either the Truefitt & Hill 1805 soap or the D.H. Harris. And for Allemagne August? Hmmmm......I've got some German blades stashed somewhere. So....it's doable even if a bit lame from my end.

 

Dirty Jobs had an episode dedicated to a farmer/rancher who was running his entire farm from the methane off his dairy herd. He had even invented some custom made processing equipment to make it all work. I was really amazed at his ingenuity and just plain ability to make it happen. The second benefit was for his wife's flower business. He used the final product of all of the "poo" to make flower pots - more like starter pots - that could be planted with the seedling in them and were 100% fertilizer. No smell, no mess, but pure you know what. And he ran his farm from the methane to get there.

 

Short rant. Failed attempt at a hijack. Sorry, but once again we've proved that this thread can't be hijacked. It's impossible. Can't be done.

 

Adjustable (Arko) Anything Goes and whatever else we decide AUGUST!!!!

August 6


Razor - Qshave Futur Clone (6)
Blade - (6)
Soap - Soap Commander Courage
Brush - 30 DC LE
Post - Alum

Sixth day for the Personna 74 and it still shows no signs of getting tired. I stayed with the Qshave on "holy cow" setting for the third shave in a row and the blade was still as smooth as day one. And...still sharp. I've actually been waiting to write this up thinking maybe I'd finally feel a rough spot or something. I certainly didn't feel any tugging or other signs of the blade getting tired. And, after much faceturbation, I have to say the baby is on board yet again. Tomorrow will make a solid week on this one blade and unless it just folds up or falls apart I predict it will surpass that easily.

As for the software portion of the shave - the Soap Commander was its usual fine self. How can a vegan soap leave such a great face feel afterwards? I know I need to give this soap more attention and credit but I'm such a Tallow lover I hate to give credit to the non-tallow soaps. This one earns it every time. I still have probably 2/3 of a tub of the Courage but I'm going to go ahead and order a tub of Fortitude to match up with it. I need more of this in my rotation.

Hope everyone survived Monday. I have two more days until my "weekend" of Thursday and Friday.

​

 

The dog who chases two rabbits catches neither.

-Russian Proverb

 

August 6th
Gillette SA-84 w PermaSharp Super (3)
Arko
TGN Finest/ Maple
Thayers
Clubman

A rare late evening shave for me. I have an early morning meeting, don’t feel like sleeping yet and decided to shower & shave tonight. Pulled out the Arko as a nod to the thread’s focus and had 3 uneventful passes with the Short Black Beauty on 4. @Primotenore ’s point from yesterday is understandable. Whatever the setting is, we are going to get the job done well and there is some redundancy to the Adjustable settings. Regardless of how it got there, I am completely smooth after a traditional w/x/a 3 passer.
When one starts with Arko, one may as well finish with Clubman. If one is to smell ‘inexpensive’, one might as well smell ‘well aged’ as well...
Have a great night all!

 

For the new convert seeking value...Omega boar of the 98 or 48 is a solid knot. 98 is for shaving, 48 is for mopping gymnasiums and nightclub foam parties. Let's see who actually reads...I've been using the 59 195, that you sent newbie Samurai, all weekend. On nine. Been gratuitously using a new blade each day, started with Feather, then GSB, then those lame roller disco looking Sharp Star that @NCoxSTL is dedicated to eradicating from this earthly plane. In testament to the underlying 30DC philosophy of 3T, the range for angle of attack possibilities is what makes the 195 shine. Its cap (door) radius accomadates SR-like low angles on the 9 setting, and makes even the sharpest blades like Feather and GSB glide with ease, and has a nice gap. Stretch out and pretend it's a straight, it delivers! I can easily go one pass ATG with the 195 for a nice quick Monday shave. Thanks for making me a believer in the model as a "benchmark" design in razor history. I'll get the obligatory shave reports cranking out again soon. That's been the adjustable part of my August, Arko and the @jtspartan handle brush, finished with Veg, covers the rest.

 

Sorry..... I..I .... I



....... Just can't...

..... Believe that...

Sorry

Really, the hijacks are the only reason some of us show up.

Besides, unicorns need milk with their cookies.

 

Catch up post. With family visiting and Mom's funeral and then memorial dinner this week, I am already about 20 pages behind on the posts and unlikely to catch up. Also a couple shave reports behind, but at least those I can post as a group:

Sunday August 5 - Available August

Gem GBar / Gem PTFE ( 2 ) ; cleanup by Schick E2 / Personna ( 6 or so?)
Jason's non - 30DC cypress badger brush
Renaissance Faire type horn quaich lather bowl
Red Green Duct Tape Special (Italian Frankensoap)
Alum and Clubman VIBR

I used my mix of Cella and assorted other soft Italian almond soaps because I hadn't pulled it out in awhile. As always it was easy to load and lather and just a great all-round performer. Jason's brush with the Maggards 24mm two - band badger knot was a delight to use. Then I got to the Gem SE -- tug city! I don’t know if it was a bad blade, bad technique or just a style of razor that doesn't suit me very well. After one almost painful and also inefficient pass, I binned the blade, racked the razor, and pulled out the Schick E2 injector instead. Two smooth passes later, I was virtually BBS. No squawk from Mr Alum. The VIBR provided a nice bay rum finish.

A few hours later, I was off to dinner with family and friends. We toasted Mom with her favourite sherry and just generally had a pleasant evening catching up with each other. It was a good night.

Monday August 6 late night - Menthol Monday

Schick E2 / Personna (? )
Simpsons CH2 Synthetic brush
Fendrihan Lavender Sandalwood soap sample
Clubman Jeris Osage Rub

I think the Personna blade is beginning to reach the end of the road - it felt a bit rough today although still sharp. One and done pass to a solid DFS though. The Osage Rub gave its usual teary finish to the shave.

 

Thank you

 

August 7

G3 Gillette Fatboy
Perma-Sharp Super Stainless (1)
JR #160 Louisville Slugger handle with Omega 10098 boar knot
Le Père Lucien - unscented
Thayers Lavender witch hazel, Trumper Coral Skin Food, and unrefined shea butter

 

Sorry, I had a bit too much Liberal Arts education in my younger days and it comes out from time to time. As my aunt once told me, "You went to college. You don't understand about real life."

As for English products... Isn't MWF made in England? I thought that was a favorite of yours or am I mis-remembering?

 

I'm glad the '59 Fatboy is earning its keep! I've been parked on 5 for a few weeks and getting great shaves there. I'll move up the scale to 7 for awhile, and then up to Neal, to see how it impacts the angle.

I couldn't agree more on the Omega boar knots. Considering bang for the buck, I don't think any other brush can beat it. I like the scrub, and it produces mountains of lather.

I credit you and @NCoxSTL for turning me on to Arko. It's a top tier performing soap and another one of those 'hard to beat' wet shaving products. All kidding aside, I actually don't mind the scent.

On a related note, 42% of my blade stash consists of various Russian brands thanks to @NCoxSTL.

But regarding The Veg...

 

John, may your heart always be filled with sweet memories of your dear Mom.

 

SOTD August 7, 2018

Prep: Cold water and Stirling mentholated pre-shave soap
Blade: Schick
Razor: Schick M1 injector
Brush: Ever Ready 100T restored badger
Soap: Country Club for Men Cahaba Blues
Post: Witch hazel, Jeeves of Hudson Street Tobacco Bay Leaf aftershave

Nice shave this morning with the tobacco Tuesday theme. Cahaba Blues is exceptional soap and the Jeeves splash is terrific as well. Schick M1 for the adjustable theme and all came together nicely. Enjoyable shave.

Today is the first day of the school year for everyone. Band has been going for almost the past month, but the rest of the students return today. It will be a busy day!

 

Perry, cool set up and photo! It's hard to imagine you're back in school already. The summer has flown by. In the olden days when I was a kid, everybody got three months off for summer vacation. Thanks for investing in the kids. I can tell from reading your posts that teaching is much more than a job to you. Young people need strong role models like you, and it always helps when they are clean shaven. I hope this is the start of your best school year yet.

 

Thanks, Charlie! That means a lot.

 

Arko, Russian steel - check, check. The Mighty Veg......resistance is futile. You will be assimilated.