January 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Going to give the men-ü cream a go with tonight's shave. I wanted to shave in the morning but after yesterday's result I can't wait. I'm using the cream I swore I wouldn't touch again to keep it interesting I'm getting bored with only two to choose from. Hopefully I won't regret it.

 

Menthol Monday

Razor: Gillette Super Speed No Date Code 1947 (Birth Year)
Blade: Personna SS (3)
Brush: Fendrihen Silver Tip Badger Black handle
Soap: Route 66 Frozen Margarita
A/S: Boost Iced Lime

Great shave today with an excellent razor, blade, soap, and after shave. The more I use the Gillette 1947 Super Speed the better I like it. DFS today. Route 66 Frozen Margarita has a Juicy note of Mexican lime and sea salt, light hints of plum, berries and apple over mid notes of rose and jasmine; anchored with earthy, freshly cut hay, topped with a dash of cooling menthol. Long lasting, slick lather with a protective cushion and glide soothing post shave conditioning. Great stuff.

 

January 2016

Straight Feather Goose Focus

January 11



For January I'm focusing on two razors, the W.B. Speed Rabbit TSR and the Mongoose, on loan from @Rufus T. Since the Goose uses AC blades I'm using the Feather Pros.

Razor - W.B. Speed Rabbit
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Proraso
Post - Cold Water, Alum, Nivea, Proraso

Monday morning. My weekend, though a short one this week. Got up, had breakfast, and hit the head shave for the week. No issues there. So off to the Rabbit for the daily shave. Pro 48 and Proraso green for Menthol Monday. I stropped the Rabbit and went to work on the first pass and it felt very good. Nice audible feedback as always and a nice first pass result. Second pass was a lot of XTG and ATG on the neck. That got me to a DFS. Not the best, not the worst. The razor feels good in my hand now and the struggle to find angles on the XTG is getting less. One nick in my usual problem zone, down by my goatee on the right jawline. For some reason that's been a recurring theme the past week with both razors. But, nothing alum couldn't handle. The alum was pretty quiet as well which was nice and I ended with Proraso A/S since I'm not working today.

I'll be flying out of STL around 6:45 tonight for Chicago land, and will be stuck in the southern suburbs for the next three days. Not really looking forward to it but you gotta do what you gotta do. I may not be posting much between now and when I get home Thursday night due to only having my phone and the time issue. But, I will be taking the Mongoose along and at least we can say it went to Chicago to keep me covered on a business trip! Hopefully it will have some fun at the hotel while I'm busy in meetings. The rest of my travel kit is the BoS, Omega 10066 and Arko stick. Keeping it simple while on the road. Hope you have a great Monday and a better week!

​

 

Doug what a beautiful photo and your description is lovely.

 

Thank you very much. If you don't have Route 66 Frozen Margarita you should try it.

 

After that description I have to agree. I'm going to add it to my next order.

 

Great photo Doug and I have to agree with @Robyflexx the way you put words to the Route 66 felt like I was reading a post from my favourite author Bill Bryson. He has an ability to paint a picture just as you did about the margarita. I'm going to order some definitely.

 

At least you have a beautiful razor waiting in your room after all those meetings. Have a safe trip

 

Great shave tonight completely ruined by my desicion to give the men-ü another chance. My lather was perfect and plentiful but there was nothing slick about it. It also feels and smells to artificial as though there is not a good natural ingredient in it. On the plus my pressure was perfect as was my angle and I didn't chase the baby as I had zero confidence in the soap which I am taking as another step forward. Knowing when to throw the towel in is a skill in itself. Men ü is now in the bin where it can cause no harm any longer. I only escaped unscathed because of my new found wisdom.

 

Didn't have time for a shave today, but will get back at it tomorrow. Did some work on another stone with the Chief Cattaraugus. Hopefully will be even more smooth. I'll just leave this here.

 

Great post on a sad day.

 

I've been looking at some shavettes. From what I've seen the blade exposure looks pretty similar to my 1924. Would it be above my skill set? I'm making good progress but I'm realistic I'm by no means well practised. Would it be running before I can walk?

 

Skip shavettes, master DE/SE first...then try the real thing like you've been planning! I know it's exciting and easy to try new things, but a skill set will help you enjoy the things you purchase in the future.

 

What the heck was I thinking? I am gonna shave with a straight in 2016, stitches or not. Let's do this...and stay the course! The 30 Day crew never quits, never surrenders, and today is no exception...

Day 11 - 90 Day Intro to SR



Whipped Dog "Sight Unseen" 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 Lumberjack
Alum
TSD ISZ AS
Pinaud Clubman
​

Yesterday was pretty below average. I finished a great SR shave with the Aust, then went to my garage to listen to the Seattle NFL game, carve some wood... And end up in the ER. It was my left hand, so that is good, but I wasn't sure if SR was a good idea today...but I channeled a little Ivan, and asked myself, "what's the worst that could happen?" Well, it all worked out. This was my first usage of this razor, I found it to be sharp and smooth. I was able to complete two passes and was near BBS everywhere but the chin and jaw corners, reached for the 59 Fat Boy with a Feather and cleaned it up for a full BBS. I will use this razor for ten days now, and then back to the Aust to see which blade suits my face best. @Douglas Carey - the Route 66 is the best small batch soap I encountered in 2015. The lather is so thick and slick, and I love the lumberjack scent. Alum felt pretty good, this razor ain't all that pretty, but it is a fine shave. Hand is less swollen, back to the grind tomorrow. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great Monday night!

​

​

 

Sounds like good solid advice, that can't be argued with. I will take it on board. It was largely that I found a loop hole in the no straights for a year rule my wife has implemented.

 

I am glad you've finally come to your senses and started passing out Voskhod to newbies! Nice work!

 

Full disclosure: I've not used a shavette, but my reading has led me to believe it is a different technique and skill set than straight razor. I intentionally skipped shavettes as not to "poison the well" for straight shaves by learning shavette technique first.

 

Really glad your healing up. This chap Ivan seems to talk a lot of sense.

 

It's doing great. I have to wear a finger splint for the first couple days, then I'll be able to just use a normal bandage. The guys from last year will recall, I burned my right (dominant) really badly, and shaved left handed all month in March 2015. If you want a challenge try that!

 

I'm confused...where is you razor in that pic?