July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

07/28/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (13)
Brush – Rubberset 400-3 with WSP HMW
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel and Fine L’Orange



Another great very near BBS shave this morning. The blade's performance is starting to fall off but I am planning to push it thru Friday. Finished off with witch hazel and a splash of Fine L'Orange.

 

30 day rule - Day 28
MDC Lavender Face Lathered
Ladas blade
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

I set the slim back to 8 today. I was not seeing a better shave with it at 9, and it was more difficult to maintain the proper angle with the slim set to 9. So, I changed it back. It was a wonderful shave today.

 

Keep working at it. One exersize I have done with a number of soaps is to build lather in a bowl, and keep adding water until the lather collapses. You would be amazed at how much wetter you can get some lathers, which really helps your shave. Barrister & Mann soaps were really tricky for me for a while, and I realized I could add almost 4 tablespoons of water to what I thought was good lather. Using a little soap to figure this out can save some irritation. Two months, congrats! I am still glad I made the switch!

 

Razor: Merkur 34 C
Blade: Merkur Super (2)
Brush: Semogue 1305 Superior Boar
Soap: Proraso
A/S: Gillette gel
Day 28

This boar rush now seems to be performing well with an soap I use. Very happy to say that this months focus has been a real eye opener for me. DFS 3 passes.
Have to go out and it's nice to go with a cleanly shaves mug.
Everyone enjoy your Tuesday evening.

 

91*F with 51% humidity. Feels like 97*F.

 

Thanks Clint, I appreciate your words of encouragement. Cost pushed me in this direction, but the experience is keeping me going. I’m glad I had such good advice and a good dose of beginner’s luck to help me out of the gate!

 

July 28

Gillette Fat Boy
Feather blade (1)
Edwin Jagger XL Synthetic
Trumper's Coconut cream
Two passes
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Trumper's Coral Skin Food

I had a nice shave with the FB on a setting of 9 - no nicks or weepers but a few tiny bumps below my lower lip because I worked on it too much. All things considered, the New LC gives a slightly better two-pass shave than the FB at its most aggressive setting. Trumper's Coconut makes a good (not a great) lather with the EJ Synthetic. I've got some learning to do, as I've only been able to make enough lather for two passes with the synthetic brush. That works most of the time, but I like to have a little more lather for a third pass and/or some touch-ups. The big surprise for me has been the Trumper's Skin Food. It makes for a great finish to my shave, and I enjoy the light scent.

​

 

Thanks for your insight Adam! It’s odd that something I thought I had down pretty well is the thing that popped up as an item that needs attention. Funny how it works out like that. Sometimes when you’ve been at something a while you think you have things well in hand only to find out your past success had a heaping, healthy helping of beginners luck!

 

Mark, here is some information on MR GLO. I purchased mine on Amazon. It's a nice way to start your shave.

http://sharpologist.com/2012/01/get-ready-5-pre-shave-soaps-that-really-work.html

 

It's not really the heat that's the issue in Colorado, it's the sun.

 

And here's an anniversary photo of this lovely couple.

 

Charlie, I have the same brush. I have found the following to work best for me. I wet the brush under the tap as I start to fill the sink. Squeeze and shake out most all the water and begin loading the soap. As I am loading I will add several drops of water to the puck, repeating the process several times. Once loadedI begin face lathering. Many dip the tips in water but I have found that if I just use my palm to add water to the center of the knot and continue face lathering. I'll repeat this step several times until I have the water/soap ratio dialed in and the lather where I want it to be. This process has produced great lather with even stubborn soaps for me. It also has the benefit of not slinging water and soap all over the place. Hope this helps.

 

We discovered an anomaly today concerning the heat here. Also sun related.

 

No doubt.

 

Thanks Clint. I will give this lathering technique a try. I have been wetting the knot under the faucet as I build my lather. I also sling water and lather the way I'm currently doing it. I do appreciate the helpful advice. I really want this brush to work, as I like both the face feel of the knot and the shape and look of the handle. Thanks!

 

Once I got it down, it really is a great brush. It's just different than a badger or boar, in some ways better and others not so much.

 

Thanks Charlie. I see there are a variety of scents available. How's the Orange GLO, the Lime Basil. Oak Moss?

 

Mark, I have only used the Lime. The Oak Moss sounds interesting. If you decide to try it, I would be interested in your impressions.

http://www.amazon.com/Musgo-Real-Lime-Glyce-Soap/dp/B0007M41YW

 

Polyester can be quite warm in the summer. At least the collar is wide open! Maybe a hat would help?

 

The Colorado plains are beautiful. I bet few things beat sitting under that nighttime sky! Summers here in Kentucky are much like Alabama.