DEC 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Pain stick would make me nervous. Straights even questionable ones from Russia I am much more comfortable with. Shavettes are much harder for me.

 

Straights to the Finish Line!

December 21 - It's MONDAY!

Razor - W.B. Speed Rabbit
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold water, Witch Hazel, Nivea​

Welcome to Monday and the Solstice! And, of course, to day two of straights. After yesterday's difficulty with lather I considered several options and read all the comments I got as a result and made my decision. Staying with the Fat, going to the BoS, my best brush with the Fat (or at least I'm best with it) and adding massive amounts of water to my face just ahead of the lather. AND.....only one side at a time given the slowness of the shave at the moment. This all followed my head shave which, I'm happy to say, was totally routine and non-bloody today.

I was curious how the Rabbit would feel since I stropped it for the first time last night and this morning. Let's see if I totally screwed it up. First stroke on the right was very nice. Boy the sound this thing makes is awesome. Peel that velcro baby. My angle was pretty shallow still.....something about this thing keeps making me want to shallow up, but when I do the sound fades and I know to add more angle. Finished the first pass on the right side and it wasn't bad. Very smooth, no drag, not as effective as it could have been but that's my angle issue. Also, getting up around my goatee at the jawline is a challenge, but it was for the pain stick too. That will take some figuring out. Left side lathered, and a better result on that side. Closer, which is funny since my left hand is basically a useless hunk of meat. I got bolder with the angle, though, and finished the pass with a decent result. Lathered the right side and went again, same for the left and finished with a decent enough shave to call it done. It's maybe a CCS, well it's just that, certainly nothing more. And, I used a DE to finish up around the goatee.

However - no blood, no missing appendages or any other horror stories. I like it! And, I will now join the chorus of those who say straights are more forgiving than pain sticks. At one point on the right I got up on the tip where I did with the pain stick last month. The pain stick sliced me open, the Rabbit did not. Nice not to have to watch blood run down my neck.

Here's to a great start to your week! Mine starts tomorrow.
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For me, I think having the while blade exposed causes me some pause. I know that with the Pain Stick, the blade can cut just as deeply as a straight, but visually, the holder somewhat provides a stop. It is all mental, and not even fully logical, but I am definitely a little more tentative putting a straight against my skin than I am putting the Pain Stick.

Once I start my stroke, that all goes away. But starting a stroke requires a bit more thought and care.

 

Razor: Gillette President Y1 1953
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1)
Brush: Semogue 1305 Tri Color Wood Handle 22/55
Soap: Route 66 Frozen Margarita
A/S: Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Menthol Monday
Excellent afternoon shave on a windy rainy day. Still focusing on boar brushes. Getting the feel for the boar brushes and they are breaking in very well. This focus has helped very much. The Gillette President is a great razor and fit, and feels very go to my hand. Enjoy.

 

Haven't posted or shaved in a few days due to getting over excited at works Christmas party and discovering 3 day hangovers absolutely are possible. I decided a nice shave would improve my condition. I also decided I was going to use my brush successfully and to those who advocate the use of a brush, which I think is everyone I owe an apology this is by far my best shave and I really enjoyed the process I took the advice about using to much soap and also left my brush to dry a few days with soap on and what a difference. BBS and the skin on my head feels very taught I suspect this is the snake bite combined with a perfect shave thanks yet again for the advice and guidance towards another improved shave
Regards A man that doesn't know better!

 

This was my Sunday shave. It was a good one. Was going to shave today, but still too smooth. Tomorrow I break out the USSR straight.

 

Nice pic, I love the look of straights and they do interest me but I don't think I'm skilled enough to put one near my scalp especially one from the USSR I'm really looking forward to the posts about them though good luck

 

Solstice 2015

A Menthol Monday in DEcember
(planned)



This setup is big boy menthol. Should be chilly! Today will be my first try at a Wilkinson blade. The razor is the PAA DOC head on a Stirling handle. Couple more hours of chores in the sun, looking forward to longer days returning.

Have a great Monday afternoon!
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Just to get you ready....

 

Based on what Kevin said about the quality of the steel while he honed it, I am a little worried about the USSR straight as well. I plan on using Osage Rub to cool things down after the shave.

Oh well, what's the worst that could happen?

 

From what I've heard about both the USSR straight and how strong Osage rub is I wouldn't be surprised if you rethink using it post USSR shave. I hope I'm wrong of course

 

Nice razor set Doug!

 

Thank you very much.

 

should I hone up a piece of my aluminum shock top bottles to shave with @NCoxSTL and @Drygulch ? I may have the better of the 3 shaves from what they are saying about the steel quality.

 

If it works let me know. I may trade you an excellent Soviet for it.

 

I've had the exact same thoughts. Just something to get used to.

 

Adam's nuts roasting on an Osage Fire

 

I know, it shouldn't be funny. But it is.

 

A three day hangover isn't even close to the record. Well, I may have included a drunk or two extra in the process so maybe it's not the same thing. And yeah, if you're not using a brush you're not shaving. You young'ens gotta learn everything the hard way. Sheesh!