February 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

There's that brush again

 

Made me think of...

 

As far as I'm concerned, there's absolutely nothing wrong with sushi / sashimi that can't be fixed by a few minutes on the BBQ...

 

Okaaay. Tell ya what, you find a pic of him with a bottle of that and I'll stop with the wiseacre remarks. As another member said, "No picture, and it didn't happen".

 

It was just an Apple emoji on my Ipad. Some work on the Den, some don't. This one did.

 

Last nights....



-"NT Vigour" Futur Knockoff
-DeRuitem Shaving w/TGN Finest
-i coloniali mango
-Adidas Citrus

In a focus break, I decided to use the closest thing I have to a Fatboy. The Futur clone is a very good remake, I can not tell it apart from the real thing, with the exception of its ability to keep clocking around the dial, for unlimited blade gap. I think of it as a "Neal" razor.

 

Do any local stores carry Gillette Platinum Plus blades? All the walgreens and several grocery stores in my area do. They are a little on the pricey side, but I find them to be quality blades. They do seem to offer good longevity, as well.

 

Do you guys shave every day or work into your regular pattern a breather day?

I know in my cartridge and electric days it was almost mandatory to do so for me.

 

For the most part, I shave every day. I will occasionally skip a day or the weekend or holiday, but more at my wife's request than anything else. She is still adjusting to me actually wanting to shave since I started traditional wet shaving. It has been over two years, so it has been a long adjustment.

 

Beautiful Brush. The color of the handle is just stunning.

 

Have to shave M-F for work. Saturday and holidays get a pass. Sunday is a me-time shave. It's also the day a new blade starts, as well as the next razor in my rotation.

 

Thank you Clint. Matt's work can sit up front with anyones.

 

February 5, 2017
Gillette Aristocrat Jr 1949
Feather (3)
“Amigos” Elite Ironwood Beehive with Envy White
Czech and Speake Oxford & Cambridge
Fine Lavender

​

With the start of a new week it's time to break out different hardware and software. This is the kickoff of my long term focus of a Razor, Brush and Soap a week focus. Trying not to be to boring, I will only introduce the hardware and software the first time they come up in rotation. The razor for the week is the 1949 British Gillette Aristocrat Jr. I picked the razor from another forum's BST at a fair price. The razor is excellent condition with a pleasant weight. Compared to my regular razors the handle is thinner but didn't cause any issues. I fully admit I like the looks of vintage razors but in general prefer the shaves from modern razors. I am looking forward to this week with the Aristocrat Jr and hopeful it will change my mind. The "Amigos" Elite Ironwood will be the brush for the week. The brush is a result of a friendship developed between @Douglas Carey , @Boojum1 and myself here on TSD. We wanted to each have input towards a brush representing our friendship. The idea resulted in the "Amigos" brush. The handle is desert ironwood made by Bob Quinn here in metro Atlanta. In talking we wanted a dense badger knot with excellent backbone that still had great flow through. After much discussion, we decided to use the Envy White knot from Nathan Clark. The Envy White meet the requirements and then some. The knot seriously rivals knots costing several times as much. The software this week will be C&S Oxford and Cambridge. I adore lavender scented soaps and had this on the Christmas wish list. Luckily the girls picked it off the list. The scent is lavender mixed with peppermint and rosemary. The soap is not as strongly scented as MdC but still feels the room as I face lathered. Fine Lavender is patterned after the Oxford & Cambridge scent so it is the perfect aftershave for the week.

With the introductions out of the way it is time to move on to the shave. The O&C soap is not hard to lather but it is not nearly as easy as Route 66. During loading I first notice the bubbly foam but just kept loading and finally got enough loaded. Since it is a very hard soap, I am hoping that using it for the week will speed up the loading process. The soap combined with the Envy White knot made face lathering a joy. The resulting lather was very slick and protective with a wonderful lavender herbaceous scent. The Aristocrat Jr is not as aggressive as the Timeless OC. As such, I went with a traditional 3 pass shave (WTG, XTG & ATG) followed by more than my usual amount of touch ups but ended up with my normal near BBS. I did get a few weepers along the way. I am hopeful that the results will get better as the week goes on. I finished up the shave with a splash of Fine Lavender for a fantastic start to the day. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

 

I agree Jared. The brush is just stunning.

 

5 FEBRUARY 2017
SUPER BOWL SUNDAY BLADE /FOCUS SHAVE

Pre: VDH Shave Butter w/hot towel and plenty of hot water
Razor: Parker 99r
Blade: Feather Hi-Stainless
Brush: Omega 10098
Soap: Route 66 Rum Runner
Post: Hot/Cold water rinse, icy cold towelx2, alum block and Dominello Vitali Calming Post Shave Moisturizer
After Shave: Clubman Virgin Island Bay Rum(you were expecting maybe the Veg?..ah no)
Today kicks off my last(I think) blade audition. My neighbor gave me this Parker 99r after his foray into wet shaving went sideways. After using my NEW for a month, this is like going from a sports car to a semi. The other thing is I'm breaking in my new 10098 and making the leap to shave soap. I'm happy to report that it went very well. Brush and soap were fantastic! Even a soap noob like me couldn't screw it up. I got a great smelling, slick, cushiony lather. The Feather took full advantage and mowed down my two day growth no problem. Two and a half passes and my day was off to a great start. Of course all blades work great on Sunday. M-F is what makes or breaks these auditions for me. Have a great Sunday, and......GOOO
FALCONS !!!!

 

Excellent picture and review Clint.

 

Thanks very much Brian. It's now down in the shop for a good cleaning. I'll be using a different El Druida brush for the next week. Have a good Sunday.

 

Thank you Amigo.

 

February 5 (Sunday) - Fatboy February

Gillette Fatboy on 3
PAL Gold Thin Hollow Ground carbon (32)
Simms reknotted with 22mm Maggard synthetic
The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap )
Alum and Thayers Witch Hazel Original Astringent

In the immortal words of the first great Italian Mobster (and by all accounts a bit of a fatboy himself), Julius Caesar: "I came, I shaved, I conquered."

 

You too!