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

February Focus - German blades

February 4

Razor - Merkur 23c
Blade - (1)
Brush - Vie-Long 12601 - The Pony
Soap - Proraso Green
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, Nivea, The Veg

After three really fantastic shaves with the Timor blade it's time to move to the next German in line. It's the Elios Inoxidable, or Inox blade, from Nouva Lama Bolzano Srl . Inox is simply short for inoxidable which indicates the blade is stainless steel. For the scientific minded or just those who need another useless bit of information in their brains, an inox, or stainless, blade is one with a minimum of 10.5% chromium content by mass. This give it the ability to resist corrosion and rusting unlike a carbon steel blade. Feel free to never memorize that or remember it at all.

I chose the pony today along with Proraso green in the tub. I don't recall using these two together before and I was able to get a really great lather. Proraso is a great lathering soap to begin with so I doubt the brush choice can mess it up too badly. And, today they worked together perfectly for a great lather. Loaded up the Elios in the Merkur 23c and was ready to go. My first impression on the first pass was nearly as good as the Timor. Very smooth, not as sharp, though. No drag to speak of but the feel was just enough different to notice the slightly less sharp blade. And the first pass result showed the difference as well. Clearly not quite as much reduction as the past three days on the first pass. Lathered up for the XTG second pass and went at it again and still very smooth, but on the neck, right side, two nicks appeared. My angle was good, used the same pressure as with the Timor, just ended up with two spots of blood. Rinsed and went for a complete third pass, ATG and Gillette Slide on the neck (German slide I suppose with this setup) and managed to get a nice DFS. So, not bad on the result. Two nicks were not what I was hoping for though. Nor was the bite of the alum. A bit warm today after that last pass.

So, not the same level as Timor on day one. The question is, will it smooth out on day two a bit or go the other way? We'll know tomorrow. In the meantime I can't say it's a bad shave, but not the best either. Out of five steins I have to deduct a half for requiring three full passes to DFS, and a full one for the two nicks. So, today's rating is a 3 1/2.

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Day 35 - 90 Day Intro to SR

4 February 2016



Whipped Dog "Sight Unseen" 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
TSD ISZ AS under Lilac Vegetal​

Day 35..,Things are finally starting to come together. The strop felt natural for the first time, and the WD was smooth and ready to play ball. Standard baseball pattern again. WTG was a breeze. I tried a couple of new neck stretches and grip for pass two (hybrid) and it worked! I got to DFS on two, and touched up the chin and mustache for a near BBS. The angle on the WD is a bit higher than with the Aust. I think I will go back to the Aust later in the week and be sure to note that. After 35 days, I feel like I am no longer struggling to shave with a straight. Now, it's all about perfecting the technique and routine. Balmy 21F on the prairie today. A shower and a straight shave was a refreshing end to the afternoon, face feels great 4 hours later! One more day until the weekend. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a Fabulous Friday!
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On a Chinese Schick, 7-12 shaves is pretty normal. It's a far heavier and thicker blade than DE. Schick G is a superb shave, and I'm glad you got there quick!

 

It's ok, we all have those days! I hope you at least scored a good cup of coffee to go with the Don Johnson Thursday look!

 

Rest well, my friend!

 

Entertaining. Informative. Metallurgical, y'all! Now, with all-Deutsche weepers!


(All is right in the 30DC again.)

 

Excellent idea Clint.
A small tube of cream could be just the thing.

hey, wait a second...I'm on to you...you're just trying to infect me with another AD!

 

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WOW!
I just realized - between the Crimson Tide and the Broncos, you may just hit the Daily Double in football this year!

 

I follow the Broncos on local talk radio and papers because I live here, but I am actually a GB fan. But yes, I did hit a double, I got to see Bama-Wisconsin and GB at DEN in person, so truly a great football year!

 

Day four - Repeater

Schick type A
New Forest brush
MdC Fougure shaving soap
Floïd Blue

Another quality 2 pass DFS today. Im really liking this vintage shaver. Its easy to use and quite mild. In fact there's been no irritation this week or any weepers. The Chinese Schick blade did feel today as if its starting to lose its edge after only its fourth shaves which seems low compared to the amount of shaves ive gotten in the past from them.

 

Friday
05-02-2016



How have I fared so far this 30-day-focus? Quite good!
With graveyard-shift over I finally had some time to proper shave and photograph.
I've grown very fond of the Omega quickly. Still think it's a wee bit big, but nothing that deters me from using it.
Looking at specs, I think I'll find the Pro 49-type just perfect.
Blade still feels like new after 3 shaves.
However, the bad-ness of a blade is most visible when doing ATG.
Since I don't do that at the moment I think it'll take much longer before I feel it.
MEM... well.... it's quite good glide vs. cushion, but not stellar. Perfectly useable though!
But the scent is just... dunno. It's very soapish-cleanish. Nothing that ticks my boxes like a good almond Cella for instance.
For that reason alone I'll enjoy using the MEM this month knowing I'll not be getting it again once it's depleted.​

 

I would say in 35 days, you have smashed the straights

 

Didn't mean to start another AD. But any excuse for more stuff will work. Just thought a cream might be easier with such a small knot. If required you could always add more cream easier for subsequent passes.

 

I will take that. It should be a sub category of all foci, first blood and best blood. Winner gets cookies.

 

It is next on my vintage radar. I've decided to alternate my RAD by vintage then modern this is modern month. Hopefully I will see your impressions before buying one

 

Straights Focus February 5:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
L'Occitane Cade SC
Henry Sears and Son Queen 3/4
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman AS

I have to say I really enjoyed today's shave. I ended with a CCS, but I got it in one pass. Everything felt natural this morning and fell into place. I topped it off with some Clubman, and I am off to wrap up my work week. Happy Friday to everyone.

 

2/5/2016
Mongoose Satin B2 with Triad Ti
Feather Super Pro (3)
DK7 with Druida Manchurian
Mystic Orange Vanilla
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Company Shambala
Whipped Shea Butter


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Another automatic BBS 2 pass shave this morning. This is nearly a perfect combo for work morning shaves. Finished off with a splash of F&C Shambala. I hope everyone has a great Friday.

 

30 Day Focus Feb 5, 2016

Noxema preshave cream
Gillette Heavy Tech / Gillette 7 o'clock Super Stainless
Omega / TOBS Natural
WH / shea butter / Proraso white ASB

Nice shave this morning. This is my 6th shave with the 7 o'clock blade and it is retaining its sharpness, but I don't find it is getting any smoother. I am surprised by this because usually a blade will smooth out a bit as you use it. I am wondering if it is because this is a harder edge than say an Astra SP? Not sure. I do note the blade pairs well with the Heavy Tech, though I have to admit every blade I have tried in the Heavy Tech seems to work well. This was a 2 pass darn fine shave this morning. No complaints. And it Friday!

 

C.O. Bigelow cream is my travel software of choice.

And, just because you want to limit your spending this year doesn't mean you can't get one or two things. Just look at the huge difference from last year. It'll still be a huge win!

 

2/5/16

Gillette Old Type
Rapira Super Stainless (3)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mystic Waters Lime
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Broke out my Mystic Waters Lime sample this morning. Last time I used it was a face lather and I wound up with some irritation. Possibly because of some chemical reaction, but it could also have been how long it took me to face lather - seemed like forever. Today's experience was better. Used the scuttle and had a great lather. Slick and creamy. Normal 2 pass shave. It seemed like first couple of passes weren't as efficient as usual on my neck. I did my typical cool water rinse and touch up. I came very close to BBS but at a cost. My neck was red and a little tender. So it appears I chased the baby more than I should have. The Clubman let me know that too.

I still don't know if the Mystic Waters Lime is giving me this post shave dry feeling or if it's because it's 29 outside and the heats on. I'll give it another try tomorrow with a fresh blade and see how it goes. I'll try not to chase the baby too much.

Hope everyone enjoys their Friday!