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

Blades and user vary so much it is unreal. There are folks that have shaved with the same blade dozens and dozens of times before they change. Some go for around 8-10 depending on brand. I will go with three then out until my technique gets in sync, then I will probably be able to tell whether I have a good blade or dull blade or if it was just user error of some sorts!

I do think with head shaving, you would probably go thru them a little faster than just the face shaver's but they are cheap so my motto is when in doubt, change it!

As far as soaps go, maybe you should try a cream or croap, which I have not played with so I cant give you any recommendations to what to look at.

 

February Focus - Blades
2/12/15 - Day 13
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - C.O. Bigelow
Razor - EJ89L
Blade - (1)
Post - RazoRock Alum & AV Musk

Finally home with some time to post. Did my usual shave this morning with a new blade. The 7 o'clock Super Stainless Green. Did 3 passes and don't think I really quite got DFS. I have not liked a stainless blade other than Ladas so was hoping maybe the Greenie would bring me a new option. I'm pretty sure it isn't going to work. Definitely the worst final result I've had from any of them and the Alum feedback was atrocious. No blood that I could verify, though one spot felt like a nick with the alum but never showed blood, but the burn was all over, including cheeks. I notice tonight things feel rougher than usual so that confirms the poor result. That plus the suspected nick and this blade gets a very low grade compared to the rest.

Grade B3.

I would skip to the next blade except my criteria is to only do that in case of a D or F grade, or level of discomfort is too great to consider. Honestly, the shave itself felt pretty good. Not spectacular but ok. Just the irritation at the end that is (ahem) irritating.

So, I'll stick with the blade through the trial, but it definitely needs help making the uphill climb to be in my arsenal when I'm done.

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John Denver was a prophet. Rocky Mountain High indeed.

 

i'm just learning of this thread. i'm also still in pre-"30 day rule" territory. so, if this is not the right place, just chase me out ...

DE wet shave day#1 for me was actually 02/01. so, the timing of this should work out nicely.

i will give each blade two shaves. i will shave (two pass) every other day. (every other day ... 1. rest time and heal time - just in case, 2. relearning whisker growth patterns on the off days)

pre: n/a ... (other than a scottish shower - no cold to the face when following with a shave, though)
brush: EJ best badger medium
lather: proraso green soap (and an old latte mug)
razor: EJ89lbl
blade: TSD blade sampler ... this will be the only variable this month or at least for several days
post: n/a

playing catchup ...

02/01/15 - astra sp (1) - all in all, a nice first DE shave. nicked a mole - done weeping by end of second pass. neck seemed irritated ... maybe just first DE shave?
02/03/15 - astra sp (2) - no irritation today. a couple of nicks - two moles. had to break-out the styptic today.
02/05/15 - personna blue (1) - decent shave for third shave. couple of nicks. very little irritation
02/07/15 - personna blue (2) - another decent shave. no irritation with the personna blades. perhaps not quite as close. still a couple of nicks.

week1 summary
kinda unsure about the blade sampling for the 30-day rule ... test one of each or test only 'til one does a good job?. i could probably go with either the astra or personna for 30 days. i guess i'll try at least a few more, though.

02/09/15 - wilkinson sword white (1) - yikes, it's a blood bath! break out the quik-clot!! it's a monday, a bad blade, or the wilkinsons (surely not technique, right?!). regardless, this blade has already been tossed.
02/11/15 - gillette 7 o'clock yellow (1) - progress! got the corner of my lip but no other nicks. maybe some neck irritation? neck seemed a little dry throughout the morning.

 

The 30 Day Rule is the more rigid process as you choose one setup....one brush, soap, razor and blade to use for the entire 30 days. Blade brand, obviously, as nobody I know usually gets close to 30 days on one actual blade. That is designed to perfect technique without changing any variable. The 30 Day Focus is more flexible, allowing for one or multiple changes as you focus on one aspect, or more if you prefer. So, by changing blades you're doing a Focus, which is fine. Since you don't know yet which blade works best for you doing the Focus and changing only blades is valid. Once you find the blade you really like you can then do the Rule and hammer technique into place. Hope that helps sort it out.

Short answer is.....you're doing fine. Figuring it out in the beginning takes some time and you're definitely off to a good start!

 

Focused February




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Dad's Schick Injector
Chinese Schick Blades
L'Occitane Plisson
Arko!
Pinaud's Gift to Hungarian Calvary

Easy 2 pass....love the Arko-Veg combo! It is approved by Mrs Samurai. I have been chosen.​

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Thank goodness today's shave was much better. The search for a fool-proof shave is hampered by the fool at the end of the razor! Basically a DFS shave after two passes and touch-up, avoiding the pimple area on the neck. whew

 

02/13/15 February Focus on Blades
Prep – MR GLO
Razor - Mongoose Satin B2
Blade – Kai Sharp (6)
Brush – Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HWM
Lather – Catie’s Bubbles Santal
Post - Witch Hazel and Captain’s Choice Sandalwood AS



Another fantastic 3 pass shave. This is the 6th great shave with the Kai Sharp blade. This is by far the most consistent shaves I've had with the Mongoose since starting in January. The Catie's Bubbles Santal paired great with the CC Sandalwood AS.

 

Actually you are doing very well in determining the items you will want to go into a 30 Day Rule. You need to determine the hardware (razor, blades & brush) and software (soap or cream) that you will feel comfortable using for the 30 day time period so that you are concerning yourself with developing technique rather than worrying about equipment issues. When you find the specific blade you want to go with, then get 10 - 20 of them depending upon how fast you use them and then have at it. A+ posting on your part.

 

Hello and welcome! Spending February sampling blades is perfect! You have already received the tips I had for you, but welcome and thanks for joining in!

have you experimented with loading the brush heavily and face lathering?

 

My SOTD and what I used. Overall I did get a real good shave but know I have had better!

iKon Standard Head
SuperMax Ti
Arko stick
VDH Boar brush
Captain's Choice Sandalwood AS

Pre shave routine is to just wash my face with bar soap in hot water the towel pat dry but only for drips. Post shave is to warm/hot water rinse extra soap off then cold water splashes for about 20 seconds and towel pad dry again. Then used a little AS.

I did a three pass shave (WTG, XTG and GXT but I am not sure I like the blade. Not really sure why exactly but I did get a couple small nicks but not sure if it was blade or me. It did feel pretty sharp but maybe not smooth! I think my Astra SP is sharp but smoother so I have alittle give if I get alittle fast or heavy on the pressure. Lather was very good til the last pass, then seem to loose its creamy feeling and almost got watery. I know it was me and not the Arko (so Arko hater's relax) LOL

This iKon seems to show quite a bit of blade so I it might be too aggressive for me compared to my 34C I think. I dont know but I do know I have to remember to be extra careful pressure wise. Anyone know anything about this?

Thx.

 

Day 12 Feb Focus Slim Adj
DFS+ was had today. It appears the Astra SP are slightly better performing than the Ladas in the adjustable. Dialed back the aggressiveness today to 5 WTG, 4 XTG and 3 ATG. If not for near my Adams apple would be a BBS everywhere shave. Will continue to experiment with the adj, but 12 shaves in I am WAY more confident in this razor now.

 

Focused February



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Dad's Schick Injector
Chinese Schick Blades
L'Occitane Plisson
Proraso Eucalyptus
Today's Great Cheap AS™ is Aqua Velva Musk!

This setup has become routine...great results are automatic!

Happy Friday!

 

Yes but there is still that water/soap ratio. I can leave the brush drier when loading but I'll either splash to much water on my skin or not enough it rarely works out. Same goes for loading with a wetter brush. I should just make a video so maybe you can tell me how dumb the obvious thing I'm doing wrong lol. I feel like it's so simple I'm going to kick myself when I figure it out.

 

I've found it easier to start with a dryer/damp brush for loading. Then as I start face lathering add a little water at a time as I continue to face lather. Sometimes I have to add water several times to get the water ratio dialed in. Hope this helps.

 

I struggled with lather for a while, then one day it just happened...

Maybe you should video!

 

Non-traditional? Sand paper? We wanna know...

 

February Focus - Blades
2/12/15 - Day 13
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - C.O. Bigelow
Razor - EJ89L
Blade - (2)
Post - RazoRock Alum & AV Musk

Is it the end of the week yet? No? Still Saturday to go? Sheesh! Well, let's go back to another early morning shave after getting home late at night.

Day two on the Greenie. Today is a bit different because I honestly couldn't remember when I got done and was putting the alum on whether I had done the 3rd pass or not. Seriously. I remember finishing the second pass and telling myself it was a pretty good DFS but I really couldn't, and still can't, remember if I did the third pass or not. Talk about being tired and dazed.

Anyway, results were a DFS and better than yesterday. So, if it was a 2 pass it was far better than yesterday's performance. If it was a 3 pass, then marginally better. The alum still lit me up pretty good so that was consistent, though not as bad as yesterday which makes me think 2 pass. Confused yet? I am.

I will say that shaving with this blade is not my favorite thing to do. I can't complain that it's particularly draggy or irritating while in the middle of the shave, but it just doesn't feel as good to me. Not going to survive into my arsenal. But, I can see where some might really like it. Today's grade is A2. One more day with it. And, that shave will be even earlier. In fact, in only about 7 hours. We'll see if I can remember shaving at all tomorrow!

Weather is getting colder for the weekend. Gotta remember to make sure the heater works.

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Day 14 -

Skipped today. Had just the faintest bit of irritation (been shaving daily lately). Am planning on tomorrow evening. We'll see how it goes. Honestly, it has been almost thoughtless lately. Very easy, very manageable, and very enjoyable.

 

Haven't really been feeling good so I took a break today as well. Plus the last two times I skipped a day the shave was a lot better so I'm looking forward to it.