August 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Today was day two using the Grand Shave King with a Feather blade. It was also Menthol Monday.
SOTD
Grand Shave King
Feather (2)
Proraso pre-shave
Proraso cream
Florida Water
WSP Beard Oil

After two passes, I had a DFS. I didn't push it today. I did a clean up pass on the neck and called it a day.

 

I could mount a shave cam if you wanted. Charge a monthly fee to view....or I might make more by forcing it to be viewed unless you pay to have me block it. Hmmmmmm.......

 

This was one of those rare occasions though when I listened to common sense and didn't make another, most likely deadly, pass. I'm not always that sharp.

 

We now need a large dose of ...

​

... after that statement! ​

 

Great Idea....Hey, Sept is going to be an SE month for me anyway, so why don't we all swing with it...That would be a 'Blast'...

 

Well... I have to say that aside from continuing to compare blades, I didn't stick with my decisions very well. I stayed with the Super Speed for 9 days and then switched to the Fat Boy. The pull toward Adjustable August was just too much for me. I even decided I'd wait until September to go through my small razor collection (wife says "Five?! Are you going to use all of them?"). That chilled the RAD for a bit. Then I felt the pull of my Gillette Old Type and fell off the wagon for a day giving it a whirl (great shave ). I'm back on the Fat Boy for the rest of the month (best intentions).
I haven't changed anything else... except today I started using Noxzema as a pre-shower and pre-lather treatment. It seems to have made my passes more efficient so I'll stay with it for a while. And... I'm running low on the Aqua Velva, so I have some Pinaud Clubman original waiting in the wings. I've never tried it, but a lot of folks seem to like it. I hope I do too.

All that being said, this thread is a great place to gain insight and support in trying to hone your technique. A great group who care about each other and are willing to offer advice. We're glad you decided to join us.

 

Does the Feather AC count as a SE or only SR? Either way I have a couple of SE's including a 1912 Gem and an old Schick.

 

August 17, 2015

Off on my second week of summer vacation, with yet another trip to Beautiful British Columbia! This time it's one of my all-time favorite destinations - Okanagan Lake.

Some say it's a cross between Sonoma wine country and Lake Tahoe. All I know is - it's heaven.



I'll be here for a week and brought my two adjustables - Slim and Fatboy. I've done a good two week focus with the Slim and would like to do more with it (like try different blades) but I also want to experience my other adjustable (Fatboy) before Adjustable August ends and we have a new challenge for September.

For today, the Slim and a two-pass on a two-day growth at the highest settings.

Pre-dinner shave.

Hot Shower
Pre-Shave Oil: Gingers Garden
Soap: Arko (homemade travel stick)
Brush: ? Taking this used synthetic (no markings) out for a spin
Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (2)
After Shave: Proraso Green

Slim settings at:
9 - WTG
9 - ATG
No touch-up or repeat strokes. This is as much about technique as it is about finding the best settings on this razor for me.

Very close shave. Still not as comfortable as I'd like, felt more tugging than slicing. I'll think I'll try one more shave with the Slim at 8 to see if I get the comfort back that I like.

I really like the Proraso, and as important, so does Mrs. F.
What the heck, I'm on vacation - this was a great shave!

Cheers!
RT

 

I noticed that...glad you're back!

Doug-

Where do you source your Gillette Platinum?

 

Hint: ride the cap...like for real. Have fun in scenic BC!

 

I am gonna do an injector. I would say yes to your question in a literal sense, but AC/Shavette is not really the spirit of S.E.ptember, but it's your call!

 

Let's do this! I have an E-Type (I think). I actually have two....hmmm an idea....

 

August Focus - Slim and Feather AC
August 17
Razor - 1964 Slim (J1)
Blade - (1)
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Post - Cold splash, Alum, Proraso

It's a Monday so here we go. Going back to the Slim and throwing the Bic Chrome Platinum at it. Setting the razor at 5 and the plan is to work up, then down if necessary and finally at some point to 9. Grabbed the Pro 48 which has been neglected lately and the Arko which has also been neglected and whipped up the usual can't miss and I have enough left over to shave the neighbors lather.

First pass was of course WTG and it was a nice pass. Smooth but enough feedback to wake you up in the morning. I love the Bic, which is why it was the World Tourney runner up to the Voskhod. The XTG pass was equally smooth and effective. Went for another XTG and G-slide on the neck and got the baby to barely show up. One of those shaves that I debated DFS or BBS long enough I figured it had to be BBS.

Alum was pretty quiet. A few spots on the neck where the slide got a little heavy. Other than that a great shave and the Proraso sent me off to work in a menthol Monday mood!

 

You have been one of my favorite people here since you began but you're wearing thin my friend. Another week's vacation in a paradise? It's enough to make me think you're rubbing my face in it. You took the Aristocrat last time so shouldn't this one have been my turn?

 

Yeah I just couldn't resist asking. LOL I haven't yet decided on September but SEptember sounds interesting. I've never tried SE even though I have a small selection of gear. Maybe it's time.

 

Yeah, I had that ringing in my brain -- "ride the cap...ride the cap...ride the cap...like for real."
I rode practically at zero degree angle!

Part of me wants to blame the new brush, I didn't get my usual Arko lather. I shouldn't have changed brushes just for traveling - but the synthetic is so nice and compact. What's more is it was mostly operator error...nose back to the grindstone for a final shave tomorrow at 8 before I test the Fatboy.

 

Shave stick style? I can help with synthetics. What's up?

 

Well Doc, the first pass wasn't bad - Arko loaded fine on the face and I gingerly added water to the brush as needed. But with the second pass on a boar brush I have a tendency to dip the tips in water prior to lathering the second pass - due to the fact I load on the brush.

Loading on my face with the stick, I did not reload for the second pass and I think I made the situation worse by also redid ping the brush prior to lathering the second pass. So I don't think I had the cushion I needed.

I said Doctor! Is there nothing I can take
Now let me get this straight
Yes, you call me in the morning
If you call me in the morning, I'll tell you what to do

(Come on @GDCarrington go ahead, knock it out of the park!)

 

How about this:

Prior to pass one, load a bit more soap on your damp face than normal. Go against the grain of your beard with the soap. Also, don't forget to wet the end of the stick a wee bit. Completely wet your brush, then close your hand around it, wringing almost all the water from the brush. Go to town on the soap on your face. It will be too thick at this point. Then add water. Just add water slowly...

When I need to add water to the brush, I cup a hand under the running faucet and add water a few drops at a time. I add it above the soap on the bristles near the handle, allowing the water (via gravity) to run down the bristles into the loaded tips. This keeps the soap in the brush...and doesn't dilute the soap as much as a dunk in a cup of water. Wet face lightly and proceed with second pass the same way. I always have enough for three thickly lathered passes, using TSD, La Toja, or Arko--all on a Plisson Synthetic.

Edited first paragraph for clarity.

 

I feel your pain brother, and your shame!
The knock-on-the–door,-jump-out-of-the-shower smacked me once or twice myself. Actually the first time it happened was the day I met Mrs. F.

Long story but it's been nearly 30 years ago!

And I'd have showed that neighbor kid the next Halloween, I tell ya!

And nothing like the zing of sweat in the middle of the day to remind us that we nicked , or used too much pressure and irritated the skin. I guess some sins we never stop paying for! Ya'd think that the initial alum and aftershave zap would have been enough penance - Not!