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

February Focus - German blades DONE! Best of the Best to the Finish!

February 22

Razor - RazoRock TTO
Blade - (1)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, Styptic, lots of cussing

Well THAT didn't work like I'd planned. After three weeks of trying out German blades and having pretty good luck even with the worst of the bunch I decided to finish the last 8 days with four of my favorites. The best of the best! Starting with the Bic Chrome Platinum. @Jasman introduced me to this fine blade last year and it is one of my favorites. Smooth, sharp, comfortable. All around great blade. So what could possibly go wrong?

Well, my choice of razors, that's what. My RazoRock TTO doesn't get much love from me and, the last time I used it, I discovered a defect in one side on the lather scupper. It's not major but did call into question the quality control efforts of RazoRock. And, it's always seemed a bit aggressive but that's ok. I don't mind aggressive DE's. However, I think after today's shave I'm relegating it to the "collection" part of my drawer. At first it felt like an aggressive shave with the Bic, but the result was going well and the blade itself was excellent as always. The first pass, in fact, had me happily shaving along. Second pass, XTG, right side was ok if a bit aggressive. Left side produced a nice bloody nick on my upper cheek. It felt like the blade jumped just a bit. But, I know how the Bic is normally and I can't blame the blade nor my technique. This thing just was rough on the pass. I flipped it to the other edge and went back to the right side to try again and nailed myself again. Both sides seemed off. Now, with blood running down both cheeks I rinsed the razor well and checked blade alignment. No problem at all.

It was at that point that I noticed how red my neck was as well. Wow. Two passes to a bloody burning mess. Enough for me. I rinsed, used a cold cloth for pressure then hit the alum. Burn baby burn! Styptic to finally stop the bleeding on the left cheek and a lot of choice words along the way. I didn't even bother with the Nivea for fear it would just make it burn longer.

To prove the blade blameless I'm switching to my 1959 Ball End Tech tomorrow with the same blade. If it goes off as well as I expect (and expected today), we'll have the proof of the fault of the RazoRock. Shaver beware!

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I am the cartel dissident member that believes GSB is the best! Having used the exact combo as you did today, I feel like it's a case study in matching a blade to a head type. You found the benefit of OC... It handles growth. OC has nothing to do with aggressiveness. The geometry of Maggard seems favorable to GSB, as well as the Moscow usual suspects. As you gain more shave experience, a funny thing will happen! Blades will matter less and mean more than when you started. Sounds like this wet shaving thing is gonna work out for you!

 

Kerry,

Did the longer handle, and additional mass, drastically change the pressure required or the basic feel?

 

Did I hear Icy smooth?

 

Score another for GSB!

 

Yup. You know your blades!

 

Charlie speaks truth!

 

Wow! You just won "Regal Setup Photo 2016"!

Next person to organically write the word "bulbesque" has to buy Vodka for Igor and the boys in March. Just saying...

 

"No Pic Tuesday"

Love it...

 

Chris,
I only have the 101mm handle so I can't compare the smaller handle.
K

 

9.1/10. Good show.

 

Oops. How did I get it twisted?

The Blackbird is only DE razor in current production that catches my eye. So sleek! The durability of steel is a big plus, too!

 

I really love it! The build quality, the shave quality are unmatched. Plus Shane is extremely great to work with. To me that is very important...

 

Today?

 

Does @Darkbulb know the answer to which handle feels more natural, or have an opinion on which balance is better?

 

BB? I've only ever used the longer handle.
I think @PLANofMAN has both though

 

Day 53 - 90 Day Intro to SR
SOTD - 22 February 2016



Whipped Dog 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
Kroger Arctic Blue

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Day 53. Like @Norcalnewb , I kept it to a precise one pass DFS with the Dog, adequate for a Monday. I'd say my strop skill is adequate, this razor hasn't seen a stone since I got it, and it still passes the right ear to jawline test stroke perfectly. Once again, the Route 66 was flawless in the baseball SR application pattern, and today's shave really had good glide. @Keithmax has me undergoing all new expensive (pensive, too) fits of tobacco pipe AD, so I am glad that @Douglas Carey and @Salty Belle showed me the SAD Killer in R66 Lumberjack. This is far and away the finest tub style soap that I own. Don't look up now, it's snowing again on the prairie. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado

Have a Terrific Tuesday!!


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Yes, BB. Steel seems dense enough that it would change the center of mass a bit.

 

Straights Focus February 23:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Frederick's Celebrated Razor
Stirling Unscented PSB
TOBS Sandalwood AS

A very nice one pass shave this morning. I truly do get better reduction with a straight than I was ever able to with a safety razor. It would be interesting to see how I do with a safety razor now, as I have heard that straights help with technique there also. Maybe something to try in a month or two.

Last night I read through the @PLANofMAN thread on MWF again, and tried some of the suggestions. I had gotten decent lathers from MWF, but nothing like I did this morning. I am a face latherer, so this is what was left over after my shave:



It was nice, slick, and lots of cushion. It set the basis for a great start to a Tuesday. Have a great day.

 

2/23/16

Gillette Old Type
Gillette Platinum Plus (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



A nice comfortable BBS from the Gillette Platinum Plus in the Old Type. Slickness courtesy of the Fat. I did my typical 2 passes followed by a light touch up with some of the soap on my face, a cool water rinse, and a greater than average amount of touch up to catch the baby. The Clubman stung an average amount today.

I hope everyone has a nice Tuesday.