February '16 - 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion Thread

Thank you Mark. Now that I am getting the hang of the brush, I am really enjoying using the brush. Thank you again for your help in getting the knot.

 

4th SE shave was my best yet. It was the first shave that the Ever Ready razor felt natural in my hand. Due to its handle being much shorter than my DE razor and I have very clumsy hands. Lather today was Stirling Spice with VDH Boar Hair. Post: Alum, and Proraso green aftershave. Alum bit a little on the jawline and Adams apple but wasn't too bad
DFS

 

I usually carry Arko in my travel kit. I grabbed the Palmolive this time. I think I like it better as it lathers as well and has a nicer scent.

Travel kit SOTD Day Two
Palmolive shave stick
AoS travel brush
EJ DE 89
MK Sport cologne
Have fun!

 

I failed to post at the beginning of the month, but I'm kinda, sorta in this month.

I will be using my Fatboy (wide open) all month for Fatboy February.
I will be using MWF all month, or until it runs out for Fat February.
I will be varying my brushes and my blades to suit my fancy though.

 

So seeing as I am no longer struggling with the Fat is frowned upon if I where to say....switch to another soap? I will still stick with my tech for the month as I want to start testing how it is on more then 24 hours growth and other as this week I have just used it on less then 24 hours growth...

 

Congrats Clint. There's something about that ATG, XTG 2 pass shave. It works well for me too.

 

Agreed. It's one of those soaps that I'm glad I tried but won't buy again. Too many better ones out there, IMO.

 

Pick a new soap and hang in there with us!

 

Off topic alert (as if any of my posts are on topic).

I need to purchase a chromium oxide crayon for my straight razor that's on the way. Does anyone have a preferred source? I'm thinking Straight Razor Designs? Thanks.

 

Thanks Charlie. I can use the ATG , XTG 2 pass shave with my SE razors since the blades are more rigid but have a hard time with most all my DE razors. Maybe I will give it a try again with the DE razors.

 

Day 3 - Schick Repeater focus

I was running late this morning and only had time for a quick shave. I decided on a one pass WTG and was pleasantly surprised with a very passable DFS. The Schick type loaded with a Chinese Schick blade is one very efficient razor, capable of producing close shaves without much effort.

 

That is one cool looking razor.

 

February 3, 2016

February Focus with my Schick Type D - The first Schick Injector Razor circa 1935

On the road since Monday, so shaving with my travel kit including my Schick C1. Back home to focus on the Type D tomorrow.

Razor: Schick Type C1
Blade: NOS Personna 74* (USA) (1&2)
Soap: Arko (homemade stick)
Brush: Rubberset Travel (Vintage) Stainless with replacement synthetic knot installed by TSD Brushmeister @clint64




Using a new NOS Personna 74 blade to assess its reputation for being a loooooong lasting blade. With 6-7 travel shaves per month with this razor / blade combo, it'll take a few months to test its reputation for providing over 20 shaves per blade.

Also eager to try out the new brush knot since Clint replaced it for me.

My report for these last two shaves are similar one-pass ATG shaves due to each of the previous close shaves I get each day. Either my whiskers aren't regenerating as quickly anymore or perhaps I'm actually learning technique?

As reviewed last month, this blade is very sharp, there's no rushing the shave with this one. It also seems to demand a well hydrated and lubricated face. All this led to a rash of weepers / nicks around my chin on my first shave, but I remembered on the second shave and had a disaster-free smooth shave.

I'm also concerned with the brush / soap combination. Arko needs copious amounts of water to keep from drying, this knot does not hold water as well as other synthetics, but I love the brush size so much - when collapsed it takes up almost no room in my kit. I adjusted the application of Arko (I only need enough for one pass right) and the combination worked much better.

Cheers!
RT

 

Focus #3 - Feb 3
"New Forest Brush Focus"
NF 2001​

"Rating": 7.5/10 - Great knot - has that combination of soft tips yet strong backbone that you I really look for. It's just a little bit too small to get to an 8-10 rating. Great travel brush.

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Vaseline intensive moisture lotion
WD 6/8 open razor

No water at the house this morning so the lotion was preshave, lather and aftershave. 1 pass N/S for a new DFS.

 

February 3

Weber PH
Feather (3)
Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic
XPEC unscented
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Fine L'Orange Noir

I had a fantastic two-pass shave this morning, and I hope you all did as well. A near-BBS shave is almost natural with the Weber, and it has a nice, sure feel in the hand. I had another good, but not an exceptional, lather using the synthetic brush. I'm beginning to think I'll never conquer it. My favorite thing about it is the handle! The Fine L'Orange Noir is a great finish to my shave, and my Bride likes it too.



Technique Trumps Tools...

 

Vince, perhaps a tube of shaving cream might be work better with the brush. I have Nutrogena shave cream in my motorcycle travel kit. Just a thought.

 

Thanks. It shaves as good as it looks.

 

SOTD February 4, 2016
Focus day 4

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Rapira platinum lux (4)
Razor: Maggard MR1
Brush: Omega 10049 boar
Lather: Soap Commander Vision
Post: Witch hazel splash, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Easy CCS this morning. I have a few hairs on my neck near the Adam's apple that are stubborn but I let them slide for the sake of time as well as fear of irritation. I could have gone back and gotten those hairs but they aren't visible so it's okay.

The Soap Commander Vision is a great product - nice, bright scent with good lathering and slickness. The post shave feel is great. This is the sixth shave with that sample size and I can probably get two or three more shaves out of it.

The Maggard MR1 seems to be a mild, efficient razor. I'll be comparing the closed head with the open comb later this month. I have had no issues or any complaints at all with the Maggard razor. I've had no irritation or nicks or weepers lately either. I'm not sure who coined the "technique trumps tools" phrase, but it's correct! My technique has improved enough to move to this razor without any problems. That's encouraging.

Tomorrow, as per the focus I set up, I'll use a new soap and a new brush, but continue with this razor and blade.

I'll be on a short weekend trip beginning Friday afternoon so my weekend shaves may include my new vintage Gillette travel razor. We'll just have to see!

Hope you all have a great Thursday!

 

Thursday, February 4, 2016

Soap: Al Shaving Sapone da Barba
Brush: Rubberset 400 #4 HMW @clint64 restore
Razor: Blackland Blackbird
Blade: Feather #2
Post: Alum, Witch Hazel, Lavender Whipped Shea Butter, Folsom & Co Shambala

Well here we are in Shave School. What the...? My shave today was a two pass BBS. Closeness A+ and Irritation A, with a weeper under my chin. I used Noxema for a pre-shave and it worked great. Love the feel of it. The 400 High Mountain White has that luxurious full face feel and had zero trouble whipping up a Knockout slick lather. The Blackbird was smooth and efficient again. Finished with a nice splash of Folsom and Co. Shambala. I hope everyone is having a terrific Thursday here in Shave School.