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

Thanks for the information. I'm not a straight razor shaver (yet.) I purchased one about 2 years ago, and tore my neck up pretty good. I hadn't found this site or any online resources, so I am sure it was technique. I also don't think it had been honed properly. I have been shaving with DE razors for a little over a year now, and my shaving skills have gotten better. I want to try straights again at some point. I wanted to try the Feather because everything I have read says it is as close to a straight razor shave as you can get without having to maintain the blade yourself. From what I understand, it will also give me a good gauge on my honing skills when I do start maintaining my straight.

That, and it's really freaking cool.

 

I've been away for a couple days. I just got my PIF package in the mail so I'll be trying out Caties Bubbles Bailey's Irish Coffee later tonight. I'll end up posting my thoughts tomorrow. It was a hectic week that turned into a trip out of town for the weekend and I'm just now kind of getting back into the swing of things.

 

february 2015 focus ... blades ... still in pre-"30 day rule" mode

every-other-day shaves, two shaves per blade, two pass, ...

pre: n/a
brush: EJ best badger medium
lather: proraso green soap
razor: EJ89lbl
post: ***alum block***

02/21/15
blade: (2)

uh oh, i broke a couple of rules with this shave ... 1) changed my grip and 2) used an alum block after the cold rinse

after reading a post a few nights ago about grip and being near the end of the handle, i was curious how i was holding the razor. i've read lots of articles and posts about holding near the end and letting the weight of the razor be the 'pressure'. as natural and unbiased as possible, i picked up razor like i was going to shave, and sure enough, i was pretty close to the head. i think i have been only applying light pressure these first few weeks but very possibly more than needed. so, with these past two shaves, i'm closer to the end of the handle. i also received my alum block on 02/20. so, i used it the next morning.

overall, shave#2 with the derby was right on! no nicks and one enjoyable shave. the alum, however ... well, i'm not so sure about this 'rubbing a rock on my face' stuff. i did get some feedback ... mostly on the neck area ... where i would have expected. i don't use any other post or moisturizing products at this time. my face did feel very different throughout the day. i'm not sure if it was more 'dried out' from the alum or if that is just the 'tightening' effect.

02/23/15
blade: (1)

so far this month, i've tried the astraSP, personna lab blues, wilkinson sword white, gillette yellow, voskhod, and derby extra ... to the find the one blade to rule them all. well, actually, i'm just looking to pick one for my 30 day rule for next month. other than the wilkinson, i think most have performed in similar fashion. so, i'm gonna do a quick roundup toward the end of this month of the top three ... astraSP, personna blue, and derby ... to give each a final try to earn the spot for my march 30 day rule technique improvement sessions.

the astra did a fine, fine job this morning. wow, what a difference just three weeks makes in terms of technique ... once again, no nicks!! the moles on my face are thanking me for getting a little better at this. the alum gave me some 'feedback' but less than a couple of days ago. just one shave with this guy as the personna's up next to try to win the top spot for march!

 

Sounds like it's working well for you. Even the change on the grip is a good thing. That's what the process is all about is figuring out and correcting technique. Once you start the 30 day rule you will really begin to fine tune using the same equipment all month. Keep at it!

 

This week has been crazy.... and as a result, very few focus posts from me. SWMBO has been ill (flu) as well as babysitting the grand babies.... of course, with as much help as a night shift worker who needs to sleep can give. My Sunday shave was BBS, with two passes, plus touch up, and Monday afternoon's shave was a solid DFS on two passes. All in all, great shaves with little effort, or irritation.

 

Shave 23 Feb Focus Slim Adjustable
Passable shave today, not comfortable. Thinking blade issue, Voskhod only good for 2 shave in the adjustable for me it seems. 2 weepers and a lot of zing with Alum block.

 

Focused February for Monday and Tuesday!

Still on the road...but finally headed back home today!

Dad's Schick Injector
Chinese Schicks
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Proraso Eucalyptus
Mennen Skin Bracer

This kit is looking like a fave! This month has almost convinced me to shave injector style. I think maybe some March DE madness might be in order though!

Keep on keeping on guys...I will check back in from CO!

Happy Tuesday!

Looking good!

When I use Alum, I use it mostly for feedback. It is perfectly acceptable to apply Alum for feedback, rinse off and moisturize as normal! I really look forward to seeing you master your equipment. Keep on keeping on!

 

February Focus - Blades
2/24/15 - Day 25
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - C.O. Bigelow
Razor - EJ89l
Blade - (2)
Post - RazoRock Alum & Proraso

Day two on the Super Max SP and it's a great shave. Smoothed out on the second day and gave me no issues at all for three passes. Ended with a BBS after only a minor touch up and the alum was almost silent. There's definitely something different about the Indian Platinum and the Russian Gillette Platinum. I also had good luck with the Rapira Platinums before so this definitely points out an issue with the St. Petersburg ones. But I digress. Overall an excellent shave and I'm looking forward to one more day on the blade to confirm its standing. Today's grade - A/1.

Day off today so off to do some shopping.

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02/24/15 February Focus on Blades
Prep – MR GLO
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade – Kai Mild (1)
Brush – Brothers Bristles with WD HM
Lather – AOS Sandalwood Cream
Post - Witch Hazel and AOS Sandalwood AS Balm



Change of plans today. The Feather Super was just too much blade for me to use daily. Moved back to the Kai Mild today. Otherwise a great 3 pass shave.

 

So have you used the FAC razor all month? If so, congratulations! After nearly 30 days, you should have a very good idea of the type of shave it provides, its strengths and weaknesses (plus the strength and weakness of your own technique). When I was learning to SR shave, I went nearly 3 months with the same razor. Best approach I ever took in trying to master the SR!

This February? I think I've used about 15 different SRs over the past 24 days......

 

Fine fine shave today. I missed last night so today was the first time with caties bubbles and I must say I really like the irish coffee scent. Good slick lather with no effort, I'll probably be stocking up on this stuff in other scents as well. Forgive me as I've been really busy but I promise I'll go back and read what I've missed. Awesome month so far!

 

Another great shave today..... ho hum:rah:

 

February 25st SOTD (Shave 13 of the challenge)
Two Day's growth
Prep: Hot shower
Razor: '52 Gillette Super Speed Black Tip (X2)- Steel Handle and Baseplate
Blade: Dorco Stainless- Stropped 30 times per edge
Soap: Dirty Deeds Beer Soap- I can't remember the scent, bowl lathered
Brush: Vie Long Horsehair
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block
Aftershave: Pacific Shaving Company Caffeinated Aftershave

Great three pass shave today. A little tugging on the chin and neck, and a couple of spots the alum barked at me. DFS, maybe a BBS- . Tried the cafinated aftershave today, and I am still convinced it has a topical anesthetic in it. It immediately shut down the bite from the alum. Since my face wasn't torn up like this weekend, I don't expect it is going to come back. Noticed today that I was using quite a bit of pressure on the razor for the chin and jaw area. Great shave in those areas, with no cuts or weepers, but that is where I felt the alum. I honestly don't think I would have gotten this good of a shave without the pressure there.

 

02/25/15 February Focus on Blades
Prep – MR GLO
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade – Kai Mild (2)
Brush – Rubberset 400 with Omega Boar
Lather – Soap Commander Confidence
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Bay Rum AS



Great 3 pass work morning shave. Soap Commander as usual provided a great lather with more than enough cushion and slickness. Nearing the end of this giant tub of soap.

 

February Focus - Blades
2/25/15 - Day 26
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - C.O. Bigelow
Razor - EJ89l
Blade - (3)
Post - RazoRock Alum & AV Ice Blue

Final day for the Super Max. Absolutely marvelous shave with all passes smooth, no drag, no pull, felt great. Finished with a very near BBS. Probably a BBS but I'm just feeling picky. Hit the alum and was surprised at two bites on the left side of my neck. Seems I had a couple of very small nicks on the third pass apparently. Not sure whether to blame the blade or technique. The blade felt fine, I suspect I had too much pressure on trying to go BBS on that spot. A bit disappointing but not a fatal flaw by any means.

Today's grade - A/1.2. Going 1.2 because of the uncertainty of the nicks. Don't want to totally blame the blade, can't ignore the bites.

Overall this blade has been really good. Much better than I expected. This is a platinum I can live with and its ranking will reflect that. I am now curious to try the Super Max Platinum and see how it compares to the SP. The price is lower for the Platinum as well.

Final grade - A/1.3 and this is now one of my top three blades.

Cost - Best online price this morning is $14.00 per 100 so 14 cents per blade. Not outrageous given that includes shipping and it's from New York.

Tomorrow - The finale begins. Three days on the legendary, feared, revered, much loved and much maligned Feather from Japan. Have a great day!

Off to the morning commute! It's crazy out there.

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Shave 24 Feb Focus Slim Adjustable
Nothing exciting, feeling very comfortable with the adjustable now thanks to this focus. Will be participating in future focuses...

 

One of the few soaps that I started out with that I still reach for, especially when my skin is bugging me on those cold days.

It might even be my go to winter soap if MWF did not exist.

 

As I count down the days to the March 1914 lather catcher shave month, I realize that using the Schick I1 injector has been one of my most "error free" shave experiences since I moved from the Schick Hydro 5 cartridge razor. I may not have always gotten the closest shave, but the chances of having major irritation, or weepers and cuts were minimized, as long as one's technique was sound, and the pressure was minimal. As I once read, it can be pointed out that the injector could be considered the grandfather (superior in my opinion) of the cartridge shaver. The Schick injector will always have a major place in my shaving rotation, whether the G or the I variation.

 

02/26/15 February Focus on Blades
Prep – MR GLO
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade – Kai Mild (3)
Brush – Brothers Bristles with WD High Mountain
Lather – Soap Commander Confidence
Post - Witch Hazel and CC Bay Rum AS



Fantastic 3 pass shave this morning. Sticking with the Soap Commander in hopes of getting to the bottom of this seemingly endless tub. The Brothers Bristles brush whipped up a great lather. Finished off the shave with CC Bay Rum. I'm addicted to this stuff.

 

Shave 25 Feb Focus Slim Adjustable
Well it finally happened, my first nick, at no fault other than my brain went dead for 1 second on my first pass on neck. Blood flow stopped with styptic pencil and proceeded to end with a very good close shave...