FEB 2015 30 Day Rule/30 Day Focus Pic and Discussion Thread

Still trying to dial in the lather but it seems to at least be good enough for a decent shave. I apply enough pressure when loading that the hairs spread across the whole vdh bowl. When finished the bowl looks a bit sudsy...is that normal or should it be thicker? Then when I start to apply it I use about the same pressure. Should it be lighter or does it matter? Overall it was a decent shave but half way into February I don't feel like I've progressed at all. After my 30 days in January I just kind of plateaued.

 

Well go ahead and click buy because my day 2 shave review is going up. You aren't going to like what I have to say if you're trying to avoid buying the blade. LOL I try to enable as best I can.

 

February Focus - Blades
2/16/15 - Day 17
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - C.O. Bigelow
Razor - EJ89l
Blade - (2)
Post - RazoRock Alum and Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Second day of the Nacet Stainless and my routine was all messed up thanks to Mother Nature. We had a winter storm come in last night that created a commute nightmare this morning. Well, not as bad as I feared but still doubled my time. So, I hit the shower running and made 2 passes instead of 3. DFS baby. Seriously, a really good shave. And, when I hit it with the alum the irritation was minimal if that. I am honestly amazed at how well this blade has performed. One more day to find a weak spot but another A1.....it is performing right alongside the Voskhod for me. If there is a difference it is that Voskhod is virtually irritation free on 3 passes while the Nacet did produce some on 3 yesterday. But, the performance is so good I don't mind living with some very mild irritation. I can always add a balm at the end for the Nacet. Definitely surprising. Maybe the crocodiles do have something to worry about!

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I'm having a few lather issues as well but plan to work on it tomorrow. I'm either starting with too much water or not using enough. I know, it's one or the other right? DUH! But, I want to lather a couple of times and play with it to figure out which. My VDH Deluxe also looked a little sudsy after my head shave yesterday. I think it was too much water, although the lather was good when I put it on my head.

 

I realize that YMMV, but for what it's worth, here's how I make my lather...

Loading a brush off a soap puck and making a good lather was a challenge for me when I started wetshaving. I have better success face lathering using a cream or a shave stick. (I'm not good at building a lather in a bowl, so I always face lather.) I use at least twice the amount of cream on my face that the shavers on YouTube use. And when I use a shave stick, I rub quite a lot of soap on my face prior to lathering. I'm sure it is way more soap than I'd ever load into my brush off a puck. You can literally rub a damp soap puck on your face if you don't have a shave stick. It looks weird, but it works.

Whether I use cream or soap, I start lathering with a damp (not dripping) brush and slowly work in water a few drops at a time. I also add a few drops of glycerin to the brush and work it in. You can pick up an inexpensive bottle of glycerin at the drug store, if you want to give it a try. The glycerin helps with slickness and cushion. You will need to add more water to your lather if you use glycerin. Keep adding water slowly until you have a thick, slick, and creamy lather. I look for my lather to have a slight glisten or shine to it.

I place my brush in a small travel scuttle between passes to keep the lather warm. I often add more water to the lather on the second or third pass as it seems to dry out sitting in the scuttle.

Anyway, that's how I do it. I admire the guys on the forum that seem to learn so fast. It took me a year or more to get reasonably consistent shaves. Stay with it, and I'm sure you'll break through your plateau.

P.S. I read in another thread that you are a bricklayer. I have much respect and admiration for your profession. My dad was a bricklayer, and I had the pleasure of working with him for 7 summers. Bricklaying takes real skill and a lot of hard work.

 

I used the same blades as you last month...it was rough actually. I hope you clearly see the difference blade smoothness and sharpness makes when correctly paired with a razor...just like I think you are experiencing. It's pretty neat to see the the lather progress nicely. This is the breakthrough week.

Welcome to our little 30 Day thread!

@NCoxSTL gave you solid thinking on lather. Slick is what you want as a newer shaver. IMHO don't try too hard to judge blades at this point. You may find teflon blades smoother more forgiving of someone learning initial techniques. The yellows are SS and not nearly as smooth as a Teflon coating, IMHO. Many newer guys, myself included find that the range of blades that will produce good results widen as your technique improves.

Three skills to focus on:

1. Lather building. It's worth making test lathers. Would you rather waste soap or styptic?
2. Shave technique. Shoot for a replicable process.
3. Post care. I suggest an Alum Block. If you technique, angle or pressure is not right, it will light you up. If you shave well, it feels like a cool smooth stone. It's a great teacher, IMHO.

You are right on track, and I look forward to seeing you start to get some great shaves...and hopefully have a lot of fun on the TSD forum with us!

Thanks Charlie! In Columbia MO til 6am. Feeling good about it!

@clint64 - I love sandalwood as well. Almost as much as menthol. A sandalwood face/bath soap I LOVE and use daily is the Chinese Bee&Flower Brand.

Still on five?

I love the Blues...





And last but not least...I am using the green Proraso setup with Mennen Skin Bracer and the Schick injector until next Tuesday when I get back to the plains of CO. I may just sell or PIF every other razor I have...JK. But almost. It's the most natural feeling razor I have tried. My only possible holdout is blade cost.......

Keep it up guys!

 

This is my 48 routine for VDH puck soap.

Soften soap by placing 1tbsp of water on the puck as you soak the Boar for 5. Then shake most of the water from brush. Lather, adding little splashes of water to the Brush itself (up high near the handle) until desired results are achieved.

Or

Try some of the stuff above. You will get this.

 

Yes, I have zero irritation and getting close shaves starting on five. Six worked good but felt a little "rough". Will try again in the remaining 2 weeks and see if I can get smooth shaves bumping it up. But for now it appears to be my starting sweet spot with the razor.
The Blues are very good blades, got to know them well with my initial 30 day rule. For the cost however they don't preform any better or longer than Atras in the the Slim so far. Will revisit them with other razors when my Feb focus is complete.

 

02/17/15
Prep – MR GLO
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade – Feather Pro Guard (3)
Brush – Brother’s Bristles
Lather – MdC
Post - Witch Hazel and Dove AS Balm


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Great 3 pass shave this morning. I really like using the MdC. Lather and slickness are fantastic and rinses off so clean. Dove AS Balm to help on a cold day.

 

OTR! Got a great six am shave from the Personna, Proraso eucalyptus and Skin Bracer! Hitting the road again today. Hope everyone has a great Tuesday! Catch you guys tonight!

 

Shave 16 Feb Focus Slim Adjustable
Well after serious consideration this AM by a question from @Bama Samurai I decided to bump up the aggression on the slim....the results were BBS and the one of the best shaves yet with the razor and a GSB. 7 WTG, 5 XTG and 3 ATG. I think the focus is paying off with a much noticeable improved technique and the results.

 

February 16th SOTD (Shave 8 of the challenge)
Two and a Half Day's growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: '52 Gillette Super Speed Black Tip (X2)- Steel Handle and Baseplate
Blade: Feather Platinum Coated, second shave on this blade, stropped 30 times per edge
Soap: Dirty Deeds Beer Soap- I can't remember the scent.
Brush: Vie Long Horsehair
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block
Aftershave: Old Spice Fresh Scent

Shaved in the evening. Shave was N/S and S/N. I didn't use soap for the buffing this time, just water. The Alum Block gave a lot of feedback on that. It is 14 hours post shave right now, and still have a smooth face, and just a bit of roughness on the neck. My technique with this razor is getting better.

Old Spice- Decided to try and sneek this in and see what SWMBO thought of it, since she didn't seem to like the idea. When I put it on, it burned a little, but it made my eyes water and made me cough. I am a little sick, so didn't think to much of it. 20 minutes later my wife asked me if I spilled the bleach cleaner in the bathroom, and said it was making her eyes water. I noticed that my eyes hadn't stopped watering since I put it on. Tryed to wash my face, and couldn't get the smell off. Ended up sleeping in the guest room. Going to cross this aftershave off my list.

 

February Focus - Blades
2/16/15 - Day 17
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - C.O. Bigelow
Razor - EJ89l
Blade - (3)
Post - RazoRock Alum and Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Final day for the "croc cutter" blade and I was looking forward to a strong finish.

First pass was good, though seemed a bit less smooth than the first two days. Also didn't finish as smooth on that pass. Second pass, XTG, no real issues but still felt a little different. Definitely needed a third pass unlike yesterday and the day before. Gave it a third pass, did a few touchups and called it done. Very disappointed as I only got a CCS. Not far from DFS but definitely a step down. Alum confirmed some minor irriation, nothing more than I've experienced with it.

Apparently I've found the chink in the armor. The Nacet is a sharp blade but lacks endurance. While I will sing its praises on the two days it performed beautifully I really wish I had chosen to go on to another blade today. However, it's worth it to find out what I did.

So...today's grade is B3. A huge drop from two perfect scores. I can highly recommend this blade if you want a two pass when it's new, but if you're trying to extend a blade out this one may not be the one.

Final grade - A- /1.6

COST - Best overall price today is 99.99 for 1000 blades, making the per blade cost 10 cents. Best 100 price is 16.99 including shipping making it .17 per blade. Shipping is from Jordan.

Final thoughts - I had thought I might have an alternate blade to keep handy for those days I wanted something different and I may keep a tuck or two around for those hurried morning, but I won't be adding a bulk purchase. Too costly for its overall performance. Nice to know I found one that I can throw in and two pass and be done though.

Tomorrow - The Gillette Rubie. The final Gillette branded blade of the month. It's a platinum blade that you don't hear much about. But for now, the crocodile has left the building.

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I lost count of the number of days, but here is what my set up has been for the past several shaves...

Prep: hot shower, Neutrogena Face Wash.
Brush: Burma Boar.
Razor: '62 Slim set on 5 for the first pass, 3 for the second.
Blade: Personna Lab.
Cream: Palmolive Menthol.
Post: cold water rinse, Fine American Blend, and sometimes Myrsol Emulsion.

 

February 18 Plans

MR GLO
Feather Artist Club razor
Feather Professional blade (day 4)
RV Shaving handle with a 24/46 mm Shavemac Two-band Silvertip knot
D.R. Harris Almond cream
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, & unrefined shea butter

My February goal is a close and comfortable two- or three-pass shave with this set up. I'm taking baby steps, but the shaves are gradually improving.

Take it easy!

 

razor, brush, and cream combination! Great set up for Fat Tuesday!

 

Horrible....both my shave and my day. I'll leave it at that.

 

Enough said. Had days like that. Good thoughts for tomorrow.

 

Old Spice is banned by Mrs Samurai...

May your Wednesday be better all around!

Yes!!!

ptfe.....