January 2015 30 Day Rule/30 Day Focus Pic and Discussion Thread- All are Welcome

SOTD

Day 3 - BSG

ATT S1 Kronos

Rapira PL

Plisson

Cade

3 pass DFS. Great lather today. Struggled with touch ups on the neck and paid with 2 weepers as well as minor irritation. I'm glad I'm taking 30 days to learn this setup

 

For lathering you could give this method a try. But yeah work on that angle, too. Keep it real low. That was my main technique problem the first week or so.

 

SOTD January 3, 2015

I officially began yesterday, so this marks day number two of my 30-day adventure. I plan to continue at least through the first week of February. I’m using my Mongoose razor, Kent BK4 brush, Feather blades, and Mike’s Natural Soap plus a few drops of glycerin. I plan to vary my pre-shave and aftercare routine, and I hope my supply of Mike’s holds out. I’ve used everything in my set up for awhile except the Mongoose, and my goal is simply to improve my skill-level with it.

I actually started shaving with my Mongoose a week ago. So far, I have accumulated six shaves on the blade. I had hoped for four shaves per blade, so this has been a pleasant surprise. For reference, I change my Feather DE blades after every other shave. Based on my early experience, I’ll probably change the blade in the Mongoose about once a week.

My typical shave has been two passes with touch-ups. I’ve had maybe three weepers since I began, and none in the last three or four days. It took a couple of days for me to find the correct shaving angle, but since then, the shaves have been very good. I haven’t used Mike’s soap for awhile, and I had forgotten how slick it is and how well it performs!

The Mongoose uses a wide blade compared to a DE blade. In some ways, I miss the maneuverability of my DE. I have some hollow areas on my neck, and the best way to attack them with the Mongoose is to use one end of the blade. I remember using a similar technique with my Feather Artist Club razor.

All things considered, I’m having fun and learning along the way. I have enjoyed keeping up with everyone’s 30-day adventure. @Bama Samurai sure knows how to host a party! I’ll plan to post some photos starting next week.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone!

 

@wristwatchb The Goose is a big one. I'm using this to learn mine as well.

 

@clint64 the 'Goose sure is a big one, and I'm using the smaller Dr. Bomber handle! Good luck on your journey with it. I have been and will continue to follow your posts, for sure.

 

I think I've made a slight break through. Not sure how but I stumbled upon a thread on another forum (thanks WhiskerWacker as well) about building lather and the one thing that caught my attention was they said to shake your brush after soaking in water AND squeeze it out. After trying that and loading my brush a lot drier than I have been doing previously the lather I made was actually decent and made my skin soft.

I can't wait for tomorrow's shave just to see how much of an improvement it makes.

It's sad that after I tried it I rinsed everything and squeezed the brush out and put it up. After my wife gets out of the shower she's in there building lather and saying how much better she is than me

 

I have read that adding water thins the lather quite a bit. Since I don't like a real thick lather I shake the brush but have never squeezed it. I may have to try this and see the difference. Also be interested to know the difference in the slick factor between shaking only and shaking and squeezing.

 

This guy is like Batman of wetshavers!!! Jeez... I'd decapitate myself...

 

also off topic, and in a similar vein....Tai Chi...

 

Day five of Thirty: Captain's log. The clog pruf continues to perform flawlessly.... I did a 3 pass shave, with no touch ups, as this is the first of three days off for me, so no need to chase the bbs. All in all, a DFS, and I realize that all the worrying around the neck area just leads to irritation for me, and not so much a closer shave. I could probably do a fourth pass, n - s in the neck area, to achieve perfection, but right now, I am very satisfied.

 

That is impressive. Quite nonchalant with the whole process but very effective. Great video.

 

Can anyone tell which razor he is using?

 

Mongoose. From his comments I assume it's a first run Mongoose. He seems quite pleased that only 40 were made like that is one of them.

 

So how many years does it take to shave like that lol...just effortlessly

 

More than I probably have left. Lol

 

Weishi, Arko, and I will be there by months end!

 

Whisker on Jan 31... Love to see you in a vid recreate his 2nd pass!!!

 

I'll give it a go lol.

 

Realistically? With focus and commitment to mastering your razor, IMHO the answer is 40-60 days til it becomes almost automatic. Like have a conversation as you shave automatic.

 

It really doesn't take that long to develop a proficiency. When I am rushed, I can squeak out a nice 2 pass shave in under 5 mins.