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

I will start wearing pads on the stairs Yes, we need a rancher or it's the Old Shavers Home for us.

 

Thank you. Sitting in the Apple Store now waiting my turn for phone repair.

 

Thanks. I'm a big boy too. The floor took most of the impact.

 

Tools + Techniques = Happy Face!!

 

February 5

Weber Polished Head DE
Feather (2)
Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic
Arko
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Fine L'Orange Noir

I enjoyed a near-BBS ATG, XTG shave this morning and had a good day at work. I hope everyone had a fantastic Friday!



Technique Trumps Tools...

 

Day 36 - 90 Day Intro to SR

5 February 2016



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

Today was the easiest, best shave to date on a straight. Ran the WD over the linen and the leather, and loaded up a brush with the R66. Sill using the baseball pattern, I did two precise passes. The first was WTG and the second is still a hybrid ATG/XTG. The big improvement today was the mustache area. I fully opened the scales straight and tried a kamisori type grip, and it allowed me to go near BBS above the lip with ease. I am now having fun with a straight rather than trying not to get cut, and that's a great feeling. Headed downtown with Mrs. Samurai tonight for some NBA. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a great weekend!!!
​

 

Welcome back Doug.

 

I like it, great idea. Let the games begin!

 

Feb 6 Focus Shave 4

Today's razor is Robert Williams Purist refreshed on Shapton 12/16k followed by Dovo red/black paste. My scariest straight and it always seems to have a sharp edge and usually unforgiving.

The edge felt wickedly sharp but reasonable smooth, well smoother than it has ever felt. First two passes felt awesome and the third pass two small weepers plus I could feel some irritation. After 3 passes I felt pretty clean but in the name of science and consistency I did my ATG fourth pass. Alum test: a little burn but less than I expected, faceturbating... oh yeah BBS. The razor always seems to have a sharp edge, in my early days it drew so much blood it was benched. Now after 100 shaves it is back in lineup and near the top.

IrritationB+ Closeness A Smoothness A- Keenness A+

Aos Sandalwood super lather cream + tallow soap
Shavemac silver tip
Woodhead scuttle
Robert Williams Purist
Lucky Tigers AS
L'Occitane Cade ASB
Chanel Cuir De Russie

 

Great to see you back Doug. Glad you both had a good time.

 

Congratulations and keep them coming!:wave:

 

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Soap: Mystic Water Eucalyptus and Spearmint
Brush: Druida Robo I Manchurian
Razor: Mongoose B3 with UFO Red Bronze
Blade: Kai Mild #1
Post: Myrsol Aqua Balsamica

Today's shave was a 2 pass plus cleanup delight. The mongoose didn't disappoint, loaded with a Kai Mild blade, it left me with a very close shave. I would rate it Closeness A+ and irritation A+. The Robo Brush delivered a a very slick and shinny lather, ideal for the Mongoose. Finished with a light splash of Myrsol Aqua Balsamica. Hope your Saturday is going well. Stay frosty gang.

 

Congrats!

 

Ouch! Glad you are still standing.

 

I think it it - his first ones were sans stickers.

 

That is a nice looking razor, Adam. I would like to try a wedge at some point. Sounds like it shaves nicely.

 

February Focus - German blades

February 5

Razor - Merkur 23c
Blade - (2)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, Nivea, The Veg

Second day with the Elios. Day one wasn't great. Two nicks plus a bit of effort to finish DFS like I wanted landed it with a stein factor of 3.5 which is not going to compete well against the Timor that was so good. The Elios is a stainless blade with no additional coating to speak of so I checked the Timor for its coating and it is only listed as "ice tempered". So I suspect coating has nothing to do with the feel of the Elios, just a lesser quality blade. Anyway, until the second shave I won't know for sure how it will perform. Wow, I guess I need to do that eh?

Lather brought to you today by the mighty BoSFat. Great lather so no excuses there. The first pass was immediately noticeable in the wrong way. I could tell the blade isn't as smooth as yesterday. Not a great sign. And, not as effective either. XTG second pass also wasn't as smooth as yesterday but didn't produce any nicks or other problems. The ATG third pass and G-slides on the neck did get me to DFS but not a great DFS. I've certainly had better. The alum provided a bit more burn today than yesterday. This blade is rubbing me the wrong way. But, I got the DFS. Finished with Nivea to smooth things out and The Veg to provide the proper environment for sales....which continues to work. Yes, it is a magical potion!

Now to grade today's shave. No BBS so loss of a stein. No cuts/nicks/weepers but not really a great feeling shave. Still, I can't totally knock a half off just for that yet. So, four it is! Hope the start of your weekend is great!

​

 

Ouch! I'm sorry you had a fall, but glad you're up and around. If you're anything like me, you'll be stiff for a while. Hope you're felling better soon!

 

Sweet blade and great history. I can feel the force... must resist, must resist...