July 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Congratulations Bill on your 60th DE shave! You've made a lot of progress in a short time, and I'm glad you're here with us! You have a very nice set up indeed. I have a 1954 Super Speed that I will bring out for my September focus.

 

I've never seen a Phoenix razor before I saw your SOTD posts. It looks like fun razor to use. It looks wicked, but I'm sure it is a smooth shaver. I may get one just to scare the daylights out of my friends when I show it to them. I love your avatar. I can tell your little boy (who already appears to be shaving) is a huge blessing. Rest well tonight!

 

A true pro can use the pinky ring to reflect enough sun back to overcome the polyester. Those cubic zirconias are amazing.

 

My little boy is truly a blessing. He can be difficult at times, as he is much like his grandfather, but he is a joy to our family. My two daughters are as great, but they spoiled my wife and I before the boy.

The Phoenix is a nice razor. I just found it searching on line for open comb razors and thought I would try it. I am glad I did.

 

30 Day Rule - July 2015
July 28th
Razor - Feather SS AC
Blade - (2)
Brush - Omega 10066 (BoS)
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water splash, Alum, Nivea

Up a bit early this morning since it's never too soon to start a day that will be much too hot. Can't wait! Hit the shower with a little extra time and then grabbed the BoS and Fat and away we go. Very relaxed, easy to hit shaving Zen and the lather was again near perfect. Grabbed the SS and did my relaxed first pass and was really happy with it. Better on the neck than usual. Still using my modified grip for the left side going from left hand to a Japanese style halfway through. You would have to experience it to probably understand it or I may get bold and video it at some point. Not sure anyone needs to see me that early in the morning though. Scary. Went XTG on the second pass and felt good still, nice reduction, no issues so went ahead and finished a third pass mostly ATG on the neck. I'm happy to say nothing was bleeding and the result, well mixed a bit as I had a nice DFS on the face and a nice CCS on the neck. I'm calling that good. No need for the New and Voskhod today. It's a full three pass with the Feather by itself. Very nice and a good way to head out. Cold water, the Alum lit up pretty good due to the extra pass but I expected that. Nivea to cool that and today I used Proraso as a body splash to fight off the swamp that we call air around here at the moment. I'll be trying the same thing for tomorrow and to end the week. I'll also be adding a comparison review between the CJB and Feather SS either later tonight or tomorrow sometime. Hope you all had a great day.

 

It's one of my faves!

 

Nice work!

 

Day 28 - 28 July 2015

30 Days of Maggard and MITA!

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Day four was just as good as days 1 through 3! Today was another superb GSB performance, the usual automatic 2 pass smoothness was in effect. The alum remained super quiet and the AV Musk finished things nicely. Weather
broke today, cold front brought it down to 85F for a pleasant sunny day. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
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For general consumption:

August thread opens soon!

 

Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Day 23 with the Mongoose​

B-3 Mongoose with Triad Rolling Hex Titanium
Feather ProGuard #7
Doug Korn D-7XLT Ice Blue Shavemac Finest
MDC Original
Witch Hazel ++Menthol, Unrefined Shea Butter
Fine – Fresh Vetiver

Today’s shave was two passes including clean up. ATG and XTG was still doable but today was the last shave for the ProGuard blade. One would think a higher cost blade would last more shaves, so much for the ProGuards, on to the Kai Sharp blade. Another BBS shave today with no chasing.

My August 30 Day Rule with the Mongoose will continue. The August plan will also include using a DE or other SE razor every fifth shave. I will also attempt to use a different shave brush for every shave during the month.

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Thanks Charlie! I took a lot of time deciding that I wanted to get into DE shaving and what I wanted to use. At least, I spent a lot of time reading the various forums and websites. I took Mantic59’s suggestion on the brush. Proraso is my 3rd cream after a couple of different soaps. I really wanted a hot lather so a scuttle was in order. My wife says I over research everything.

For August, I think I want to stay focused on my blade research using my current setup. At the same time, I have a Fat Boy and a birth quarter Tech I just picked up that I want to try out. So I’ll probably start with the blade trial and then spice it up from time to time with one of my new razors.

 

I've tried the Oak Moss and didn't care for it. Hard to explain but the closest I can come is that it's too earthy if that makes sense. I prefer the classic scent, somehow reminds me of my grandfather although I don't think he used it. Funny how scents can bring up memories you had long forgotten. I use it like I'm washing my hands then rub it into my beard and let it sit while I make my lather in a bowl. Then I do a very light rinse leaving some on my face before I start applying the shaving soap. Gives me good results.

 

July 28, 2015

***COMPLETED***
30-Day Focus - Blade Trials for Gillette Tech

Day 7 of 7-day Vacation on
Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
48.8450° N, 123.2808° W
Island climate, island time, island life.

Beautiful day - sunny, low 70s. A bit of everything today - chores, errands, then sunning with a good book.

Early evening 2-pass shave on day 3 of the Voskhod blade and the Aristocrat. Close and comfortable.

A last visit to the frog and we're on our way back to Seattle tomorrow.


So this is my last vacation post (ok enough, knock it off - I hear you all cheering!)
More later this week from Seattle.

Ahoy!
RT

 

Ahh... Seattle. Where people don't tan...they rust.

 

Blade, soap, alum, what don't we have a5 year supply of?!? Lol
Cheers,
Eric

 

Lovely

 

West Kansas stinks. Even those nice communities on e70.

 

Interesting you should mention that. I grew up in a little town called Hugoton, Kansas. Southwest corner so nowhere near I70. Oh no, no such civilization for us. Hugoton is around 3000 people 12 miles north of Oklahoma, 40 east of Colorado. Yeah, way out there in the "Great American Desert".

So, before you fear you offended me by saying "West Kansas Stinks"......you didn't. I know of few areas of the planet as devoid of life as that area. I couldn't wait to leave home for college, even though it was only to Northeast Kansas (where rivers have water and trees actually grow) and I did move back a couple of times but I finally broke free when I moved to South Dakota. Ok, so not much better in places but still. My mother always saw the beauty of Western Kansas....and I will admit the night sky is amazing there. Partly because of the view of the universe in complete darkness in the country and the clear atmosphere...partly because you can't see the land in the dark. At least in Eastern Colorado you're that much closer to the mountains and trees with the same kind of beautiful night skies. My advice to travelling through Western Kansas? Drive fast and and do it in the dark.

 

As promised, I thought I'd do a comparison and review of the CJB and the Feather SS since I ended up using both this month. My plan, of course, was to use the CJB all month but a broken spring ended that . So, thanks to an unused Amazon gift card I got the Feather SS as a replacement and to try it out. My CJB came from @Keithmax as part of the March PIF madness and I'm sure some of you remember me using it in April as my focus. It was my introduction to straight razor shaving and helped get me fascinated with Japanese style razors and shaving.

I won't bore you to death with tons of specific details since there are other great reviews of both razors. My intent is more of a comparison. Both are really handles for a specific type of blade, but then DE razors are actually the same thing. Variations on handles, though DE's do have other variables too such as adjustable razors, different gaps for mild or aggressive shaves, open comb, closed comb, bar designs and so on. With the CJB and Feather we're talking how it feels and handles due to the handle design and how it functions given its blade holder construction and how well it will last.

One consistent complaint I have found online with the CJB is the spring that creates the tension that keeps the blade in place. There seems to be a consistent issue with springs breaking, sometimes after only one or two shaves. Since there is no way to replace these springs, once the break the razor becomes a nice paperweight. I'm sure the same thing happens if and when the spring breaks in the Feather SS, but the quality of the razor is considerably better so that seems to be a rare problem. In fact, I dont' remember reading a review where it broke in the Feather.


You can see the spring in the Feather and the clear lack of the spring in the CJB after it broke. You can also tell from the inside view of the razor another major difference which is the build of the head. The Feather is a stainless steel razor while the CJB is something else. Notice the color difference and the spots on the inside of the CJB on top versus the stainless steel of the Feather below. I haven't found an answer to the question of what kind of metal is used in the CJB though some have suggested it's plated brass. I can't confirm that but it is a possibility given the coloration around the blemishes. Whatever it is it doesn't wear like stainless, and the finish on it is not as smooth or nice as the Feather.



The opening for the blade is also slightly different as the CJB tapers down in a wedge holding the blade while the Feather adds a slight ridge where the blade is held. This provides a bit of cushion to help avoid instant cuts and slices these razors can produce. It doesn't stop them from happening, but does provide just a bit of help.

The handles are both rubber, the CJB's is harder than the Feather's so not quite as grippy. It also features a thumb notch to help stabilize the blade along with ridges to add grip. My only problem with the CJB handle is the tendency to grip it too tightly which creates pressure which creates cuts with these razors. Not having the thumb notch keeps me from holding the Feather more loosely because I don't keep my thumb underneath the handle as I do on the CJB. I also find that changing grips for ATG passes or in switching the right hand to hold the razor in a cross face pass is a bit more intuitive with the Feather. Again, the lack of a notch and the roundness versus the shape of the CJB helps the grip adjust more naturally.

Both razors feel solid and provide nearly identical performance from the blade because, well, it's the same blade. It's the difference in grip, and the difference in the lip of the Feather and smoothness of the stainless head that creates the slight difference in feel. Since angle is all in how you hold the razor you can't blame either handle for affecting that.

The results from the razor are really identical if you achieve the same angle, pressure, direction of pass etc. Again, it's the same blade so that is expected.

Which do I prefer? Overall probably the Feather for one reason. Durability of the spring. If the spring hadn't broken I would have kept right on with the CJB. The appearance of the Feather is a bit more pleasant due to higher standards of manufacturing but I wouldn't spend the extra money for the Feather just for a bit of aesthetics. You can buy two CJB's for the price of the Feather SS and the CJB provides a great shave. Which would I recommend? Well, would you rather spend 30 bucks or 70? That's really the major question to ask. Yes, given the spring issue it's possible you might have to buy two or three CJB's before getting one that will really go the distance, but maybe not. With the Feather you're more assured of buying it once and using it for years. However, if you are going to use it as an occasional treat or break in your routine or as a travel razor to compliment your straights or even your Feather, it could be the perfect solution.

As for me? I'll be keeping my CJB without the spring as part of my collection. It was a gift, after all, and one that got me started on a whole new way of shaving and into a whole new set of tools and skills. Because of it I have my Henkotsu kamisori that I will be moving to as well. I'll also continue using the Feather as part of my rotation. Knowing me I'll most likely buy another CJB with spring intact to use as well, or perhaps as a travel alternative. Besides, it's a razor....I can acquire it....and there is a disorder associated with that.

 

Another great photo. MdC and a Shavemac Finest might be one of the best pairings I have ever tried.