DEC 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Hot shower
Gillette flair tip (found some problems with fatboy)
Feather HI blade
Taylors sandalwood cream
EJ badger Brush
Nivea AS Balm

So I found some issues with my fatboy tonight. I was just looking at how the blade sat and its alot closer to the "comb" on one sode then the other and its closer to it one end then the other. So I recon its gonna need some work. I figured it may not be the best to ise since i am working on technique i want a noce straight edge thats consistent. So i picked up my flair tip and it looks good all the way around so i used it tonight.

I went with a cold water shave tonight. I mean tap all the way to the cold side. And believe it or not it was very refreshing and i had a very minimal bit of irritationon my neck. Not even enough to write about really.

I did a 2 pass shave (WTG/XTG) onface and neck and got a DFS so im pleased with tonights shave.

I REALLY wanna get some supplies with some menthol to them for Jan's shave next month. I wash my hair with tee tree shampoo and it has a real nice cooling effect afterwards that i really enjoy.

Never know, maybe the cold/menthol style of shave is whats right for me. Haha

 

It's been a rough week when it comes to checking in. I'm on a business trip that entails very long days. Just wanted to check in a let you know I am sticking to my focus. I left my normal travel razor at home and brought my birth quarter SuperSpeed. I did keep my normal travel brush and Arko soap in the kit. I keep forgetting how much I like Arko. I am getting great shaves with this setup.
SOTD
Arko
AoS Travel Brush
1961 SuperSpeed (G4)
Feather blade (2)
MK Sport Cologne
Have fun!

 

And your blade selection? I may have to dig out the Arko tomorrow morning. Haven't used it in a very long time.

 

Good call on the Flair Tip. Now you should be all set! I am a big advocate of cold water shaves. Glad it worked out for you!

 

I am down for an Arko Thursday! Let's do it, Veg too if you use it!

 

After a few false starts and the box tour, dull razors and lazy days I've decided that the holiday month isn't a good month for a straight razor focus. I'm altering my focus to something less dangerous for the holidays. I have a few new products I have acquired and a never ending supply of blades U haven't tried so I'm going to do a blade focus. 3 days a blade with a different razor for each day. Day one, Fat Boy set on 9, day two old type, day three Super Speed. I'll be randomly pulling out of my tryablade sampler so no sneak peeks except, I don't have a flying eagle blade. I was hoping I did for a terrifying shave at least once just for your entertainment (and my curiosity) but it wasn't in the tryablade sampler I got 4 months ago.

Today's shave was a bunch of unknowns for me. I lathered Mama Bears Black Code type for the first time. I used the Razorock Plissoft for the first time, I used a Croma blade for the first time and I used the FatBoy on 9 for the 2nd time.

I took some scrapings of most of the soaps I didn't get a chance to try from the box so I could get an idea of what I like without keeping the box for the month it would take to try everything. Since its a small amount I have it in a small dollar store snack cup that is smaller then an applesauce cup. I was about to give up loading because It looked like I wasn't getting any trying to load in such a small dish but when I dipped the brush and started face lathering my brush suddenly found masses of soap overflowing the brush and my face. It didn't seem as rich as a tallow soap but it was thick slick lather with plenty of protection. I also really liked the black code scent. It was another soap that I didn't like sniffing the puck but inc it lathered the smell became so much more complex and pleasurable.

I loaded up the Fat Boy set it to 9, checked tightness and alignment and away I went starting with an angle somewhere between XTG and ATG. G-slide on the neck and a 2nd full ATG pass and I was at a DFS -. I touched up the rough spots gave up and relathered for a 3rd buffing pass with J-hooking and it didn't get much better. DFS solid this time and I could feel my neck not wanting to do this Being afraid of the irritation I pulled out some Thayers Lilac Witch Hazel and called it a day.
I hope that I'll have better luck in M Oldtype tomorrow.

 

I'm good for Arko Thursday. I let the veg travel to its next victim a few days ago so the best I can do is Thayer's Lilac WH.

 

Well of course I use the Veg. All of the classiest and smartest people do.

 

Oops, left that out. It was a Feather which is becoming one of my favorites. Dig out the Arko and join me tomorrow.

 

Arko Thursday it is, and Friday, and Saturday, and Sunday with this travel kit

 

Dec 10 Shave 2.3

Today the B&M smelled like liquorice not like a camp fire. Today was the B&M's SR test. Last shave the B&M reminded me allot of QCS soap a decided to lather in the same way, I scooped some out and put in a hot scuttle and added some very hot water and let the soap melt a little. It performed just like QCS. The shave went smoothly for 4 passes, I was surprised by the alum test, I expected zero irritation but there was light stinging. The shave was borderline BBS.

Irritation B+ Closeness A-

Barrister and Man Fireside
Simpson Polo 8 Super
Whitehead scuttle
Wade and Butcher near wedge
SRP stop
Speick AS
L'Occitane Cade ASB
Guerlain Vetiver

 

How about that. I can thank Jar Jar, the Gungans and George Lucas for finally eliminating that stereotype-speak historically reserved for my ancestors and shifting it to sci-fi characters.

now about those kneecaps...:ahem:

 

Nice travel bag BKC!

 

Arko is good enough to use daily... Just so many options to try.

 

12/10/15

Gillette New LC
Rapira Super Stainless (3)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
WSO (Wet Shave Obsession) Signature
Pinaud Clubman Original

Second day with WSO Signature and the Rapira Super Stainless in the New LC.
I put about a tablespoon of warm water on the top of the soap to soften it a bit while I soaked my brush. Today I used warm water in my scuttle instead of hot. Afterwards, I poured the little that was left from the soap container into my scuttle. I squeezed out my brush, then went to the soap container to load up. I swirled the brush until I had a great deal of product. I had a timer going. Although I already had plenty of product loaded, I decided to keep going until I hit 1 minute.


I took the brush to the scuttle and began to build the lather. I added water from time to time as it needed it. After a bit I was rewarded with a mountain of slick and creamy lather.


When I took the brush to my face, it was very different than yesterday. The lather went on nice, creamy, and thick. After I finished applying the lather for my first pass, I still had plenty on the brush. I left it out to see if the lather would dissipate.


2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Nice reduction. Rinsed and used what was already on the brush for my second pass. The lather had held up fine and I did not feel or see any difference in what I had to work with. Pass 2: ATG. I did small amount of touch up where I could feel stubble and this left my face near BBS. A cool water rinse and some touch up in my trouble spots and it seemed like I had caught the baby. I took the lather that was remaining in the scuttle and got it on the brush. There was plenty of nice slick lather remaining after everything was finished. Perhaps enough for three more passes.


A nice BBS from the WSO Signature and the Rapira Super Stainless in the New LC. The WSO lather was really nice today. I followed the suggestions of @clint64 and @Drygulch to use plenty of product and it paid off. The Pinaud Clubman surprised me because it stung a little on my cheeks, but not on my neck.

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thursday.

 

To me that soap smelled of Brandy. The company site said it was inspired by sipping cognac by the fire.

 

12/10/2015
Razor – AlumiGoose A1 with Triad Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (1)
Brush – Romera Olivewood Synthetic
Lather – Route 66 Lumberjack
Post - Witch Hazel and Fine Platinum



I received very fortunate two receive to items yesterday. The USPS delayed AlumiGoose and an unexpected gift of Route 66 Lumberjack from @Douglas Carey. I apologize but I was weak and broke the focus on vintage razors for today.

Reading the label "Lumberjack" of soap I expected the typical woodsy cedar and pine scent. I was very surprised by the complex scent that greeted me opening the buck. Sure it has the expected notes of fir and such but they along with fruit blending into a really fantastic scent. So it smells great but does it work? Yes even better than it smells. Using my favorite synthetic brush, I loaded up the soap for maybe 30 seconds or so and began face lathering. The lather immediately exploded into a rich thick lather. This stuff is seriously easy to lather and the performance during the shave was even better. Thank you Doug for such a nice thoughtful gift. I know I will enjoy this for some time to come.

After being delayed in the USPS Black Hole, the AlumiGoose arrived a day later than expected. I only got the head since the complete razor option was sold out in minutes. Loaded with a fresh Feather Super Pro blade and paired with my favorite handle, the razor is very light weighing barely more than the Mongoose B2 head alone. I went with a 2 pass shave, XTG and ATG. The AlumiGoose was much louder than the B2 as it mowed down the whiskers. I decided to chase the baby and with touch ups in the trouble spots, I got a BBS shave on the first outing with this razor. I think I have winner in the AlumiGoose. I already know what my January Focus will be.

Finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum and I think I am ready for the day. At least I am well shaven. Hope everyone has a great Thursday.

 

Pain Stick Focus December 10:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
TOBS Eton College SC
CJB Pain Stick
Stirling Unscented PSB
Fine Platinum AS

The 11th shave on this blade, and I think it is time to change it up. It was a little tuggy this morning, and the irritation is a bit worse than what I had been getting the last couple of shaves. I still managed to everything fairly smooth. The TOBS cream was great this morning, and I really like how Fine Platinum wraps everything up. Have a great Thursday!

 

The leftover soap is getting better after a few days of use. I ended up loading my brush much longer and the resulting lather was thicker and richer. By much longer I probably loaded for 30 seconds and then used my bowl for about 30 seconds as well.

 

SOTD
December 10, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Gillette Super Speed 1953 Y2
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: MdC
Brush: Semogue 830
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: PAA FU Fougère
Fantastic shave. After not shaving yesterday I need this one. The Gillette Super Speed hits in the mark every time, mild yet efficient. The Semogue 830 is getting nice and soft with plenty of splay. MdC is the best soap I've used.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE!