July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Phoenix Dbl OC Focus Day 11:

Homemade PS Oil
WD High Mountain Badger 30 mm
Phoenix Artisan Accoutrements Deja Fougere
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Wholly Kaw Fougere Bouquet

Due to some user error, I missed a few spots. I still got a good shave, but just a few rough patches. I got a little rushed due to kids coming in, so I am glad I stayed away from the straight today.

 

Check my occupation again.....takes more than a weak justification sound bit of reasoning to disturb my sleep.

 

Well after the technical difficulties this morning I have a plan. I have a Feather SS on the way courtesy of an Amazon gift card I've had stashed. SWMBO reminded me about that. She had gotten it for me earlier this year and I had it stashed away while I decided what to buy. Had kind of forgotten about it. So, that will arrive Tuesday. My Rule will resume on Wednesday with the Feather in place of the CJB. One of our fellow members here has also offered to sell me a CJB should I need it and I will keep that in mind as well.

In the meantime I'm going to take a couple of days to play with the "mystery razors" I ordered. I'll use the Rimei Monday and the Long Feng on Tuesday just to give them a tryout. And for the blade, I'll use Ladas for both of those shaves. The sample blades they sent are wonderful conversation pieces....but cheap Chinese blades.....that's a focus for another month. Brush and soap? Whatever I pick each of those days.

 

Razor: Gillette SS, 1948-49
Blade: Personna Blue (3)
Brush: Semogue 1305 Boar
Soap: TSD Coconut
A/S: TSD Coconut
Day 12.

Made through another day with this brush. Still not happy with my 1305. I'll use another brush tomorrow with the same sops and hope I get a better lather.

 

I am still overdoing as well. Working on it!

 

Buying a replacement spring to maintain your equipment is not violative of the rules of NBJ.

 

No but ordering the new Omega 10066 brush two nights ago was. lol

 

Good brush.

 

Day 12 - 12 July 2015

30 Days of Maggard and MITA!


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Day two with Rapira PL yielded another great shave. This blade is really sharp and makes quick work of the normal trouble spots (mustache and jawline). It is really the best blade yet in this Maggard. Stirling MITA still doing me right, and today's alum was nice and quiet. Finished up with Myrsol Blue, again courtesy of @Rufus T. , and I really like both the scent and the skincare of the Blue. The scent is very barber shop, think classic AV minus the menthol, but with a really great after-feel. Myrsol is officially great AS! Another hot day, hydrants still duking it out for relief. Other than that... All is quiet in Colorado.

Have a Sterling Monday and a great week!
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Incorrigible. Lol.

 

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Right?!
The barbershop scent of the Blue! Just what I thought!

It resurrects a fond childhood memory of my grandfather's barbershop! I can't get enough.

(Btw - we saw you snuck in another hydrant reference!)

 

Do you have any idea what he used as AS on his clients?

 

This is good actually. We'll all get to note your reaction to these affordable shavers. You possess the skills to give them a fair review. Maybe use the same soap for both?

 

Unfortunately no.

Remember, I'm an old guy...my memories are a bit dusty for events from back in the early 60s when I was pre-teen or 14/15 at most. Soooo wet behind the ears...all I had were my senses.

Little Italy, NYC...rotating red, white, blue barber pole attached to the outer wall next to the entry, an open-air grocery on one side, on the other a butcher, barbers in white smock with short sleeves, starched short collar, large square pockets, one of them coming from a back room sneaking a cigarette...each of three barber chairs with a leather strap attached...large glass containers with combs submerged in blue liquid, a push-button device dispenses warm shave cream, opera or Italian folk music playing softly in the background, only Italian is spoken here...

(cue the Godfather theme...)

 

My Dad and I went to a shop like that in Alabama almost every Saturday when I was a child. Pinaud Clubman Talc and AS were in use in that shop. Good memories! I love all the old school AS stuff.

 

1956 Gillette Super Speed Flair
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva
Current Blade under review: 2nd Gillette Silver Blue

Shave #2 with 2nd Gillette Silver Blue blade. A great shave. Nice BBS results. Very close, comfortable, no nicks, weepers, irritation or razor burn.
Pass 1: WTG on my face (N/S), and XTG on my neck (N/S except for the outside wings which were WTG -S/N). Pass 2: ATG using my grain map. At this point, I could have ended the shave with a near BBS.
Lathered up again for touch up. I used more stretching to get at those difficult areas just below my jawline being careful not to add pressure so the blade would do the work. I went over some of my trouble spots two more times to get the last stray whiskers. While the Aqua Velva seemed to sting a bit, it lasted under a minute.
Unfortunately, all this touch up takes time. And while I ended with a BBS shave, within 30 minutes I was able to find tiny traces of whiskers on my face and neck. Still, a very nice shave from the Silver Blue.

Have a great Monday!

 

Phoenix Dbl OC Focus Day 12:

Homemade PS Oil
Simpsons Commodore X3 Best Badger
Stirling Frozen Tundra
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB
Osage Rub

Another day, another great shave. I have been using this razor for about two weeks, and I think I ready to call it my favorite. I am honestly a bit surprised, but it is such a combination of mild and efficient.

 

07/13/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2
Blade –Feather Pro (4)
Brush –Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol F/Extra



Decided to change things up a little today and decided to use the Big Bomber handle. It is a massive thing weighing in at 150 grams. Chased the baby and caught it in 3 pass plus a few touch ups. Finished off with some Myrsol F/Extra. I really like this AS. It has a classic barber shop scent with more menthol than the Blue.

 

30 day rule - Day 13
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Ladas blade
Slim Adjustable set to 7
4 passes and another great shave

Today I reduced the time I load the brush from a count of 5 (originally 20) down to a count of 3. After 4 passes I still had enough left over for at least 2 more passes.