August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

August 1,2015

Adjustable August - Slim-apalooza!

30-Day Focus - Gillette Slim Adjustable
(a PIF from @ wristwatchb )

Mid-morning shave.

Hot Shower
Pre-Shave Oil: Gingers Garden
Soap: Catie's Bubbles Mile High Menthol
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2)
TSD Witch Hazel
After Shave: TSD Lemon
Mustache Wax: Dirigo Blue (a PIF from @swarden43 )

My first attempt with an adjustable and I'm keen to dive right in on the first day. My goal is to find the best settings for a 2-pass shave (with minor or no touch-ups). I've learned that my whiskers allow for a very efficient 2-pass shave - with the right technique and equipment.

But I'll take a cautious approach and start with -
1st pass - WTG, setting 3
2nd pass - ATG, setting 4

I had used the GSB on my last shave and could not bear to dump it after just one shave. So it's in the Slim.



Well if this shave was any indication, this will be a wonderful month!

1st pass - very smooth with very quiet or no feedback. At various points I had to use SWMBO's "zoom" mirror just to see if I was cutting anything!

2nd pass - smooth as well, a bit more audible feedback, but I prefer that as an indication of correct direction with my angular whisker growth.

So smoooooth that I take to the chase with touch-ups just in the usual spots...still working on perfecting the "jawline stretch."

If I weren't such a newb I'd declare the highest of shaving acronyms, but I'll wait to gauge growth over the next 12 hours.
Edit - still smooth (mostly) after 12 hours - a fine shave indeed.

Question - What criteria do you use as an indication to increase the settings?

Thanks for the feedback!
Cheers!
RT

 

Herm!

Well I've been called a lot of things before, but never 'inspiring'.
You must be talking about all those other guys! :wave:

So? What's the problem?!!

Oh now you're just showing off!
What, another surprise gift from SWMBO?!!!
Some guys have all the luck!

Glad you're here!

 

Back this month for my official 30 day rule! Will focus on my razor technique using my Lord L6 and the Gillette Silver Blue. MITA and my VDH boar brush will be used to ensure a good lather. The Gillette Silver blue turned out to be a great smooth blade, much better than the voskhod (had to throw in a little heresy just for @NCoxSTL).

Have one more plan that is based on the dominant theme to this thread. Will be looking hard to find a decent adjustable this month. Don't own one and think it would be a great addition. To this end will be scouring the yard sales, flea markets and antique stores because can't afford one of eBay. Lol

So first shave in the books.

Razor – Lord L6 three piece razor
Blade – Gillette Silver Blue
Brush – VDH Boar
Soap -- MITA
Post - Witch Hazel

Excellent shave. One weeper because I tried too hard between my lip and chin. It is a problem area for me right at the crease. Got to work on stretching my face to beat assist especially on lower neck and around chin. Lather was great doing bowl lathering. Ended up being an excellent DFS Plus shave.

 

You and @Bama Samurai along with others have definitely been inspirations for me. I thank you both for encouragement and passing on your knowledge and experiences.

I am enjoying watching you @Rufus T. As you are learning and honing your skill. Thanks for sharing the process.

 

Whoa, parallel universe! That's exactly how I started. 2-pass at 3 and 4.
(However my starting settings were suggested by my our Sensi @Bama Samurai

....while you thought of it all on your own!


Wanna race to #9?

 

Slim on 9 is 1 pass DFS if you know what you're doing. It's marvelous razor.

 

Creams are really the one soap type I've seldom used. Nice choice of focus!

 

People are people. Governments try to tell is differently, but it's true. People just want to be happy.

 

Welcome aboard! I am going to start Sunday as well!

 

1 August 2015 - The Phoenix (exhibition only)


​

August has 31 days, so I slipped in a detour. Shark Super Chrome was the first DE blade I ever used, on 11 August of last year. I joined TSD 15 Sept 2014, read @GDCarrington shortly thereafter, did a rule, and have been doing them, in some form, ever since. I hope all you guys have a blast this month with your adjustables, I did one in January. But, "Adjustable August" could easily become a TSD thing, it's a cool idea and name. Kudos to @wristwatchb (Charlie) for cooking it up.

It's really amazing how much better these blades became after aging for a year in the bottom of a box.

I'll be back tomorrow with the real rule for the month. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a Super Sunday!
​

 

Thank you for your kind words! I am glad you've joined up. If you truly master the L6, like shave in the dark master it, you will be a really happy shaver. Good luck on the journey.

The skin stretching is a great way to maximize the efficiency of the razor. My first brush was a VDH Boar, I used it until I wore it out. It makes great lather, especially from a soap like MITA!

 

Serving a request Russian Blade Czar...

Rapira SS. I propose that I will use these first cousins to the Golden boy of Moscow blade works this month. I feel the Commission will approve, as these are the finest stainless steel non-Teflon blades in all of Mother Russia.

 

That is a really cool story Neal, and such great perspective. Kudos to you for reaching out like that, I'm in awe!

 

@wmbjr

Very, very kind of you to include me in a phrase of praise with BamaSamurai.

If I've made any progress, and IMHO I believe I have, it's because of the experienced guys on TSD who have hung in with this forum. Starting with GDCarrington and his shaving theorems and not only the analytical skills of BamaSamari in this 30day thread, but also his ability to guide beginners like me through these early stages and beyond.

All the while, he and the scores of shavers on TSD, and especially on this thread, just have a knack and willingness to relay their experiences in a respectful and non-pedantic way so as to make newbies like me feel comfortable while we learn - whether its with humor or just the nuts-and-bolts technical approach.

Anything I do or say that helps anyone is from a 'pay-it-forward' perspective, because I have received so much from the people on here.

Last piece of thanks to Chris - for allowing this thread to take some interesting detours from time-to-time to keep the environment lively. The wit on some of the characters on here keeps me hanging around as much as anything else.

Looking forward to more of the same!
Cheers!
RT

 

Thank you very much. I want this thread to always remain unhijackable and open to topic drift, but openly welcoming to all.

Go back and read your early June stuff. You have acquired the necessary skills, mostly in the first 15 shaves. Kudos for doing it right. An initial 30 day rule followed by blade trials kept the cart behind the horse! I bet you can get a decent shave out of almost any DE razor and blade at this point. But I also believe you're not a decent shave kind of guy. You seek great shaves, and it's looks like you're attaining one daily.

 

Welcome to Adjustable August

 

For me I want to increase the settings to the max that my technique,skill level and face will allow minimizing chance for irritation.

 

I too have trouble with the exact same area. For me, I use my tongue to press out just below the bottom lip. Doing this flattens out the area making that area a little easier to shave.

 

No shave day today, but looking forward to the first shave with the slim tomorrow!

 

30 day Focus - Day 1
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Sputnik Blade (Day 1 on blade, Day 1 on Sputnik)
Slim Adjustable set to 8

After completing a 30 day rule in July, where I face lathered MDC, used a Ladas blade, and set my slim set to 8, I took 2 days off and used whatever soap I felt like. Then, I decided to do a 30 day focus. This focus will give me 6 days with each of my Russian blades. I actually have 6 types, but I am not including the Ladas blade, because that was used during my 30 day rule. I decided to start with the Sputnik blade because this has been my least favorite. I only use a blade twice, so this should test the shave of each blade without factoring in longevity of the blade.

The Sputnik blade seemed to not be as sharp as the Ladas blade, with some noticeable tugging on the first pass. This also happens to me before when I make my lather too dry and I will reserve judgement at least until I complete 6 days with the Sputnik. That being said, this was not a great shave. It was acceptable in terms of closeness and there is no significant irritation, but not a great shave.