February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Fatboy February!!!!!



February 26
Razor - 1959 Gillette Fatboy (6)
Blade - (3)
Soap - Soap Commander Courage
Brush - Omega 10066 BoS
Post - Alum

Final shave on the Rapira blade and it's a good thing. The Super Stainless is my least favorite type of blade and most, including this one and the Gillette Nacet from St Pete, work better than most until they don't. This one was about half a shave too many but I finished with it. It just gets a bit rough and tuggy where the PTFE and Platinum blades don't do that.

My main focus was back on the Soap Commander soap to give it a second try. I used Stirling last night and confirmed how great a lather it produces and with great ease. The Soap Commander was equally amazing tonight. Very short load, even had the brush a tad too wet and all it did was produce three passes of lather with more to spare. Slick and thick. Pretty impressive. In fact, when I did the first few strokes and felt the roughness I blamed the lather.......until I felt it and realized how slick it was. Nope, not a lather problem. All blade.

Finish was a near-BBS and that's good enough for me. Alum was a tad warm and the blade is in the bank. Tomorrow night I'll be back to the Route 66 to give it a turn in this shave by shave comparison. Hope your weekend was a good one!

 

Word!

 

Last days with the Rocca (with some cheating with a Fatip for three days) ... in March I am going to try only Fatip razors for the full month, to see if I really like them as much as I think.

Summary of the Rocca for me; very good razor, and well made. Performance a little boring, because there is no challenge in shaving with it. Definitely suitable for someone starting out with DE shaving.

 

February 27, 2017​

AlumiGoose V1 with Triad SS​

Feather Pro (2)​

Rudy Vey Rover with TGN Finest​

Reef Point Dragon’s Blood​

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It is certainly a Monday morning. Up early and seem to be short on time to make the therapy appointment. A good setup helps on days like today. The RV whipped up the Dragon's Blood into a rich slick lather easily. Two passes and a few touch ups later ending in a near BBS makes for a great work morning shave. I hope everyone has a great Monday.

 

Very good picture Clint. The brush looks great. The TGN Finest is an excellent knot.

 

Great picture, Clint!

 

February 27 SOTD:

Razorock Plissoft Brush
Arko
Gillette Mach 3 Disposable
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman VI Bay Rum AS

 

Good setup and picture.

 

Thank you, Doug! I am trying to keep myself to a carry on, so it is disposable for me for a day or two. It's the first time I have used a cart in over a year and a half.

 

Thank you for confirming my own experiences with the Rapira Super Stainless. After my first shave with one, I seriously considered ordering a batch, but I find that the best I can do is 3 shaves (including an excellent first shave) before the blade seems to fall over.

 

SOTD February 27, 2017

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick I1 injector
Brush: Two band badger with Surrey handle
Lather: C.O. Bigelow shave cream
Post: Witch hazel splash, Barbasol Pacific Rush, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Nice shave with a little touch of menthol coolness. The Bigelow cream face lathered easily with my newly restored Surrey brush. One big pass with touch-up lead to a comfortable shave. The Barbasol has some menthol for a nice cooling touch. I've been going without balm for a few shaves now but my face felt a little dry so I included a little bit this morning. All in all a nice shave for a Monday.

Have a great day!

 

I love that brush. I love BRIGHT in a brush handle. Especially when it is in a group. It makes it stand out so nicely, and adds to the whole look of a collection.

 

27 February 2017 Another Menthol Monday! Blade/Focus Shave
Proraso Green(tube) took center stage today. After yesterday's outstanding me-time shave, there was minimal stubble present. The combo of Proraso Green and Voskhod in the Parker 99r delivered a two and a half pass great WWS. Slapped on some Proraso Green AS, walked the dog(he's 6 yoa today) and out the door I went. "Voodoo Chile(Slight Return)" blasting on the stereo and we were off and rockin'. Have an outstanding Monday my friends!

 

FEb 27th - Last Day of GSB

Merkur 34C HD
Gillette Silver Blue (Day 3)
AOS Lg Black Pure Badger Brush
Homemade PSO
Stirling Tuscany
Alum
Thayer's original WH
Nivea PSB
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Decided to try a sample of Stirling Tuscany. I have gotten pretty good at lathering but I again went too far today with too much water. Turns out, I think the brush is partly at fault. When I thought I had a great creamy lather and in the bowl spread great, when I applied it to my face, it was too wet. I squeezed the brush and all this water came out. Seems, the brush doesn't give up the water unless mashed or something. I think the brush might be partly at fault for my previous poor performance. the smaller doesn't seem to exhibit this issue.

Stirling Tuscany was different than what I was expecting. The primary scent, to me, reminded me of Berry Hi-C or fruit punch fruit drink. I am not sure what violets smell like but to me, this reminded me of a fruit punch. It wasn't bad and I do not think it lasted very long at all but after I finish this puck, I do not see this coming back into the lineup unless I find it to be a good spring or summer scent. this is only my first time using it so it could change with time. I wouldn't hesitate taking it in a PIF since the soap is as good as all the other Stirling soaps.

Alas, the GSBs were still cutting well but after 3 days, the extra drag they have attempts to convince me to increase pressure. The shave was again near BBS but I am not loving the extra drag sensation. I do not mind extra feedback but this kind seems to affect the results too much. Got nicked in 2 places. Alum was a bit stinging and rather bright. Also the blade still could go for longer, I just feel that they are not as comfortable as the Voskhods so will end this trial. I will put them high in my list of recommended blades and will warrant a second go around just in case this was a poor blade.

UP next: Astra Super Platinum

 

Different blades for different razors. GSB works well in my NEW SC but not in my SA-109. This is the fun part of figuring out your gear. Once I get the Parker 99r Blade/Focus out of the way I'll have my rotation set...just in time for the Travel Razor to arrive from Japan so I can do another!

 

I know that this is a weird perspective, but I kind of like that AC and injector blades have limited choices. It makes me pick one out of two or three and then just go with it. I could use the Feather Pro in every single razor I own, and I would never have to buy anything else.

I am a shaving minimalist.

 

Oh really? Or did you just have the /sarc/ meter pegged?

 

Feb 27, 2017

'52 Canadian Tech w Voskhod (2)
Proraso Green
TGN Finest Fan/Maple Handle
Thayers & Nivea Sensitive


Day 12 of the humble Tech focus, day 2 back on the Voskhod. Went out of the soap rotation I chose for the focus and used Proraso Green, partly as we are supposed to be having a warmer (it's all relative...), sunny day today. This cream is about as much menthol as I'm comfortable with. It did result in a nice lather, but I did feel a little drier that I do with the other soaps I'm using. 3 passes to a CCS, as I can feel a little bit on the neck. No real irritation to speak of.
Have a great day all!