DEC 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Both are excellent blades. I use them with my Gillette razors. I also use Gillette Platinum and I'm waiting on another Gillette blade from a Den member to try.
I don't head shave so I'm sure your experience with these blades will be different.

 

I using my Birth Quarter Flare Tip as well for weekdays through the 30th. It was my first vintage razor. I still prefer the SS Flare Tip over my Slim.

 

I would agree. I prefer my Flare tip over my Slim. Not a big fan of the Slim.

 

Great picture! Really makes me miss snow!

 

Thanks. Hard to believe it is the first snow we've had. Hope we have snow for Christmas.

 

Pain Stick Focus December 19:

Homemade PS Oil
VDH Boar Brush
Razorock Don Donato SS
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Gillette Cool Wave AS

I moved on to a straight, which I plan to use for the rest of the month (and quite possibly a few days of January). I really seemed to find my stride a but with the Pain Sticks the last three shaves, but I am off the next 2 weeks, and don't usually have this much down time where I can try out straights.

Today's shave was definitely not as smooth as I had been getting with the Pain Stick. I would rate this a SAS. It was fairly comfortable, but I just didn't get that close. While I would say the straight is more comfortable to shave with, it also doesn't seem to be quite as easy to get good reduction with a less than perfect technique. But, that is what I have the next couple of weeks for, so I will charge forward tomorrow.

One other new item this morning, was the Gillette Cool Wave. I had read some decent reviews, including a few on here. I am not sure I really liked it though. It reminds me of the Gillette shave gel I used to use, and I think that smell has some negative memories stuck in my head. My wife wasn't a huge fan either. I'll give it another try or two, but this one may be headed to the PIF pile.

 

There's nothing quite like a big thirsty badger brush.

 

Nice picture Doug! You're on a roll.

 

Thanks, having fun with it.

 

19 DEcember 2015



Busy day! Great shave, have a great Sunday!

 

Excellent photo. Happy Sunday.

 

Clint, what I really like about the Flare Tip is its straightforward, seems the only way I'd get a cut is when changing blades out.

 

I agree. Just as you said, a straightforward razor. I find it very forgiving and easy to use. The Flare Tip is certainly great for a beginner but I also feel it let's you know when you've mastered the technique of DE shaving. With proper technique the Flare Tip really shines.

 

Threads like this 30 DC help a newbie out so much! I didn't know about shaving forums for about a year or so into my wet shaving journey. Had I know what I was doing I'm sure I wouldn't have bought so many different razors looking for "the one" I had my EJDE89 and a Flare Tip, figured I needed something more aggressive... In came the R41. I still had no idea what I was doing and still was getting bad shaves.

 

Dec 20 Shave 2.12

Next cream up is Cyril Salter Rose, it has worked well when shaving with DEs for me but today is the first time with a SR. Today's razor is a Wade and Butcher near wedge. I made lots of good looking wet lather. The first pass was good, the second pass just OK but felt like I did not remove that much stable. The 3rd pass left a weeper and felt rough. I went ahead with the 4th pass because I had a busy social day planned. It was rough but no additional blood.

Applied the alum and what gives, allot of burning, I would rate this a C+, closeness was a fail too with a grade of B. I am surprised at the results, tomorrow I will test the cream with my Cobra.

Irritation C+ Closeness B

Cyril Salter Rose cream
Kent BK8
Wade and Butcher near wedge
PRC strop
Speick AS
Speick ASB
Dior Cuir Cannage

 

12/20/15

Gillette New LC
Rapira Super Stainless (3)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Pre de Provence
Pinaud Clubman Original

Third day with the Pre de Provence and my second face lather with it.
A small amount of warm water on the top of the soap to soften while soaking the brush. Spread the small amount of bloom water on my face and neck. I squeezed out the brush and loaded it for about 30 seconds. This gave me a lot more product than yesterday.


2 full passes: Pass 1 XTG. Very good reduction. Pass 2: ATG. Did small amount of touch up using the lather on my face. Then a cool water rinse and then spent a little more time touching up my trouble spots. The Pinaud Clubman stung like fire today, but settled down in a couple of minutes. The brush still had enough lather for another pass.

A nice BBS from my second face lather with the Pre de Provence and the Rapira Super Stainless in the New LC. The PdP lather was fine, and looked OK, but my neck was a little more sensitive today. I wonder if the consistency wasn't as good as I thought and that caused the protection to be uneven. I’m thinking this soap might work better for me lathering in the bowl rather than on the face.

I hope everyone has a great Lord's Day!

 

12/20/2015
Razor – Gem 1912
Blade – Gem Stainless PTFE (6)
Brush – Brothers Bristles with WD HM
Lather – TSD Signature
Post - Witch Hazel and Captain’s Choice Bay Rum



Today's shave is my 6th shave this month with Gem SE razors. My technique is improving as are the shaves. Going with a traditional 3 pass shave required very little in the way of touch ups to get a near BBS shave. The overall shape of the razor makes the area under my nose and around my lips more difficult. With the practice, I am getting much more comfortable with the razor in those areas. When I do my part, the Gem SE razors deliver a super close and exceptionally long lasting shave. As usual the TSD Signature soap was easy to whip up into a great lather. Finished off with a splash of CC Bay Rum. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

 

Sunday, December 21, 2015

King Cobra Classic
Feather Pro Super #2
Romera Buffalo Horn
TSD 2x Iced Barber Shoppe
Alum, Witch Hazel + Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter
TSD 2X Iced Barber Shoppe Aftershave

Today's shave was another super close shave. The King Cobra loaded with Feather Pro Super removed every trace of stubble from my face in two passes +clean up. Closeness A+ Irritation A- A little too much pressure on the right side of my neck took some skin off and made the alum sing. TSD 2X Iced Barber Shoppe is a medium+ cool soap that lathers easily with good skin care. Finished with the matching TSD aftershave for a icy TSD Menthol Sunday. Celebrating the Fourth Week of Advent. Have a good week all.

 

I give full respect to a brand that has the word "Signature" on it.

 

On the survey "Yes" appears to be making a move on "No", but the latter is hanging on well.