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

February 24, 2016
February Focus on my Schick Type D - The first Schick Injector Razor circa 1935



Unfortunately I've had to cut my February focus short. I put my name on the pass-around list for a home made injector razor created by TSD member @twhite It reached me on Monday and I will have it for just ten days before it must go to the next user.

I will say that even my stunted focus with the Schick Type D was very successful. After about 10 shaves it's clear that this is a very smooth, easy-handling razor that will be in my rotation...if I ever get to the point of having a rotation!

I will be back for a March focus, but use this link if you want to follow my unique artisan injector razor experience.



Also it's not too late if you'd like to get in on the pass-around, @twhite has made multiple razors and they are literally going around the world. But hurry if you are interested as the lists are getting long.

Cheers!
RT

 

I'm still sending you my sympathies Rufus.

 

Hard to believe we are coming up to the end of February. Spring is just around the corner! I am looking ahead to March and considering a new 30 day focus. I think I am going to bring my blade trial to an end. I seriously doubt Merkur, Shark or Feather will come remotely close to the magically balanced sharpness and smoothness of the Gillette Silver Blue . I think March will be a good month for perfecting my technique with creams and croaps.

Anyone else looking ahead to March 30 day focus?

 

I'm trying to decide what to do! I really enjoy the open comb razor and may just focus on that and keep improving. I like my soap rotations - Monday using Proraso Green, Tuesday-Thursday using the same soap and brush, then a wild card weekend. I've also thought about adding Fat Fridays with Mitchell's Wool Fat each Friday. I would continue to try a few blades but use Personna lab blues for the most part.

I do need to work in some injector shaves to prepare for the arrival of the Bunny razor! It will probably come to me in May or June seeing that I'm toward the bottom of the list. I am also on the list for Brad's (@fishcrow) pass-around box. I am third on that list so it may come to me next month or in early April.

Other than open comb I haven't really thought about what to do in March. But I look forward to sharing the journey with you guys.

 

Very sorry for your loss my thoughts are with you and yours.

 

I am about to begin my much anticipated blade trial. I've had a sample pack since November and have waited until my technique is up to scratch for a fair comparison.

 

Just got my tabac soap any advice on lathering please?

 

Yes, I'm gonna give straights a go in March. I will be starting easy with only WTG cheek passes, then finishing with my DE. Progress as it lets me progress. I will be skipping days that I feel pressed for time and only using the DE. I also need to try some different blades in my DE, been using feathers since I got it.

 

Razor: Cattaraugus Chief’s Head
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Chromexcel Horse/ Linen
Brush: Dubl Duck 10066
Soap: Sterling Barbershop
Post Shave: Cold water splash, Alum, Thayers’ Rose Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Lustray Blue Spice

Today’s shave included a razor I honed, a strop I made, and a brush I re-knotted and polished. Razor was smooth, and the brush worked awesome. I set the knot from my Omega 10066 into this handle a little deeper than it was in the original handle. I also had to shave the plug to get it to fit. I was worried about shedding, but only lost about 4 hairs. A little more backbone, but the knot is well broken in so this boar is as soft as a badger. It made short work of the Sterling soap I have been having so much trouble with. Shave was smooth and nice. Got one cut from not paying attention to the square tip when I was moving my stache out of the way. Whoops. Other than the cut, good DFS shave, with very little irritation. Lustray Blue Spice is great, I just wish the scent lasted longer.

 

From what I can see, I really like the looks of your razor. I don't have an injector razor, but this one my be #1. I'll want until it comes to me and I use it for a week. Good job.

 

I had a puck of Tabac and it was an easy to lather soap. I would suggest when you shave that you open your windows wide and attach a clothespin to your nose. I found the scent overpowering...and not pleasant. But it was an incredible soap. Pity.

 

"Two and two to Harvey Keunn...one shave away....Norcalnewb into his windup...."

 

How do you like the Lustray?

 

I just had my first tabac experience and I don't understand why nightmare stories of its performance are so easy to come by. That was probably the easiest and best lather I've built. As for the smell, I absolutely love it. I was hesitant about buying it, with being such a young pup my nose isn't refined enough for the more classic scents. But I want tabac everything it's just the scent I was looking for without knowing it. Thanks for the advice mate

 

Early Report: Gillette Silver Blue.

Its official...the judges have been meeting all afternoon in a locked room and they have just released their verdict. Gentlemen and ladies…we have a winner! The Gillette Silver Blue blade has hit the bulls eye. Sharpness: 10/10, Smoothness 10/10. Comparison to Astra SP: Very close, but the GSB just edges ahead of the Astra SP in both categories.

After much deliberation I have decided to bring an end to my blade trial. I have been so impressed with the Gillette Silver Blue this week. It is the perfect balance of sharp and smooth. I tried the Gillette 7 o’clock Super Stainless, the Gillette 7 o’clock Sharp Edge, Derby Extra and I have been a long time user of the Astra SP. The Gillette Silver Blue blew the competition out of the water. It is far superior to the blades I tested. The remaining blades in my trial will have no hope of even coming close to this little gem -- the Shark, Merkur and Feather will have to stay on the sidelines. A limited field of competitors, but why go further when you have found perfection? I don't want to use another blade from this day forward.

Next winter... as I watch the snowbanks build around me and listen to the wind rattle the rafters I may embark on a new blade trial with some untested blades. Until then I am going to enjoy the GSB.

 

Your enthusiasm for GSB convinced me to use one this week. They are great blades!

 

I like it for what it is. This is a cheap aftershave developed for barbers. It was something they could splash on to make their customers smell good and feel good when they left the shop. The scent is pretty much gone by the time they get in the car. Its cheap, I paid 5 US dollars for 16 ounces of it, so I don't mind. I also work in an office, where I get grief for some of my stronger aftershaves. The cubicle dwellers can't handle Mandom.

 

Focus: NF Brush #12 - Feb 24
New Forest in Faux Horn
​

NF brush #12 up to bat this morning.
It's a really stunning looking faux horn handled one w/ a nice, dense two-band badger knot.
Another one of those NFs that I haven't used yet so this morning was the first time.

Loved the handle, good size and shape. The knot did a great job lathering up some Fitjar but there was just a tiny amount of too much scritch in it, for me.

I'd rate this a good 7/10.


The faux horn resin in the NF is quite a bit different to, say, the one that Wolf Whiskers use.
Here they are side by side for comparison.

 

Beautiful brush! What is the razor? I've not seen that.

 

Thanks, it's this one

It's a hollow razor that opens up like this: