June 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I'm liking them. Thanks!

 

Thank you, Chris!

 

SOTD
6/11/16

Pre: hot Shower, Nivea face wash
Razor: Schick injector
Blade: Schick injector blade
Brush: Van Der Hagen Boar
Soap: Rout 66 Sweeny Todd

Post: cold water rinse, Maggard alum, witch hazel, Nivea sensitive cooling after shave balm

Tonight was a mail call shave, Rufus T. sent me the Schick injector to try out and some Chick blades as he calls them. Mrchick sent me some soap samples first to be used was Rout 66 Sweeny Todd, not so sure about the scent but once I finally got it lathered it was slick as snail snot. Tonight's first pass WTG was pretty good and I got good beard reduction, I was getting used to it and going slow as this is my first injector shave. Second pass XTG was also really good and I guess I could have stopped right there and called it a DFS. I went on to a third pass ATG and I almost got a BBS shave, I guess I could have tried to do a clean up to get that BBS shave but I was so close and not used to an injector style razor I decided to stop right and see what happened tomorrow. I went through my normal post shave routine with the cold water rinse and then the alum which gave me a little burn to tell me I got close enough. I followed that up with the witch hazel and the Nivea sensitive cooling after shave balm. I felt one little point of irritation right below my jaw near my ear but that was it. I walked away with a near BBS shave tonight and was happy with that as it was my very first shave with that kind of razor and to get a near BBS shave, I'll take it!

 

Congrats on a great first injector shave Joe. Seems like you're a natural!

Like any razor, the trick is finding the ultimate blade angle.

My method with an unfamiliar injector (ymmv) - place the flat part of the injector head against your cheek. As you begin your stroke, begin to ever so slightly bring the handle from almost parallel to the floor, down towards perpendicular, but just a degree or two at a time as you continue the stroke. Do this with each WTG stroke of the cheek and sense the cutting efficiency through feel and sound as you go.

In time you'll know when you've found it. Don't force the BBS chase or full-fledged ATG until you feel you're consistently close to the optimum angle.

Also, the 'no pressure' mantra is a key for injectors. With being lighter than DEs and more nimble, there is a natural tendency to use more pressure. Do not! Only enough to stay in contact.

Enjoy!

Also...Sweeney Todd is one of my favorite soaps with its subtle citrus (orange) scent. Not overpowering but halfway thru my day I'll catch a slight whiff of it. Very pleasing.

Oh yeah, a 'Chick' blade is slang for present day injector blades made in China by Schick.

 

Yea I figured that, I tried to use no pressure and find the right angle. After a hour or so I found that I had gotten closer to BBS shave than I thought at first.

 

Welcome back, Charlie! Glad you dropped by again, and I am glad everything is OK.

 

MWF and Stirling brush focus.
I've been face lathering the MWF for a few days and finally getting decent lather. I'm really falling in love with this brush. It has enough backbone to be a good latherer and has broken in nicely. It's soft and comfy.
It's antiques fair day. Off for some fun
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Stirling Finest Badger
Gillette Big Fellow
Rapira Swedish (3)
Alum
Lucky Tiger
Fine American Blend AS

 

June Focus Day 11:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
TSD Lavender and Rose Wheat SC
Rolls Razor
Injector Adjustable
Stirling Unscented PSB
Fine Platinum

I finally broke out the Rolls Razor this morning, and it was pretty obvious I hadn't honed it well. I had to pull out the Injector for the save. I ended with a DFS level closeness, but did have some irritation. I'll work on the Rolls again this afternoon. I hope everyone has a great Sunday!

 

Jolly June!!!

Frederick Reynolds 5/8 week!

Planned Shave Den Sunday

All TSD 2x Iced Barber Shoppe!

Will check in later to see if the shenanigans are up to par, I am off to a cookout in the sun for a bit! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great afternoon!
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Thanks! It's good to be back.

 

Jolly Good June!

June 12 - LAZY SHAVE

Razor - '59 Gillette Super Speed
Blade - (1)
Soap - Tabac
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Cold rinse, Alum, The Veg

If I hadn't had to work today this would have been a no-shave day. But, work called. I really feel like the pain stick is well under control and, being in a lazy mood, decided to not go through the effort today. Grabbed the old reliable Super Speed and threw a Rapira SS in it, lathered up Tabac with the Wolf and had just a fantastic two pass shave to near BBS. No touch up. No extra effort, just a great two pass that nearly caught the baby. Added the Veg at the end and headed off for a mellow day.

I think the Gillette Super Speed may be the best razor ever made. Now, I know the Aristocrat is probably better, as I love mine, but when it comes to day in, day out shaving, or needing a lazy shave, or a quick shave or anything like that, I don't think anything really beats the Flare Tip. My '47 is also fantastic as well. Very similar, of course, as all the Super Speeds were. I've never tried a blue or red tip and would like to acquire both, but something tells me the Flare Tip would still be my choice.

If you don't have a Flare Tip Super Speed in your collection I highly recommend it. Mine is a birth year, 1959.

​

 

Nice to see the Fat is finally beginning to come around for you. I think I may have bowl lathered it once. Face lathering is definitely the much better option. For me, at least.

 

It's turned out to be the only way for me. Thanks.

 

SOTD
6/12/16

Pre: Warm shower, Nivea face wash
Razor: Schick injector L1
Blade: Schick "Chick" injector (2)
Brush: TGN Finest in olivewood handle
Soap: Route 66 Sweeny Todd
Post: cold water rinse, alum, witch hazel, Nivea sensitive after shave balm

You may notice in my description my favorite brush is back in working condition thanks to Gorilla glue, the kind you have to dampen the pieces to make the glue work. I'll see how long this glue holds up under daily conditions. It's day two of the loaner razor and the same blade, I think I got a little carried away tonight and the alum confirmed it. First pass WTG was pretty good as I could feel the reduction of my beard and looked good after I rinsed my face. Second pass XTG was good also using very light pressure and taking care of the angle to which I'm still getting used to on this razor, it's almost straight up and down with the razors head. Now the Third pass ATG that's where I got a little too close, might should have just gone for a clean up after the first 2 passes but I'm still trying to learn this style of razor. Went for my post shave with a cold water rinse that was telling me I got a little too close then the alum confirmed it with burning on my neck, but my cheeks were quite and got nothing on them. It seems if I get any irritation or alum burn it's always on my neck, I'm sure most people are the same in that respect most of the time. Splashed on the witch hazel and cooled it down a bit with the after shave balm which I may have to go back and apply a little more later to sooth my neck. Despite the burn, I got to shake hands with the baby tonight although it was a learning experience. I am pleased with the second injector shave and look forward to tomorrows shave.

P.S. I got a great lather out of the soap tonight and I'm loving the orange smell out of it. I'm going to have to see if I can get me a regular container of it, Thanks mrchick!

 

Sunday Shower/Shave

Shower- Noxzema facial cleaner, Dr. Bronner's All-One Hemp Citrus bar soap
Brush- RazoRock Tri-Colored
Razor- The Bunny
Blade- Schick (2)
Soap- Stirling Glacial Eskimo Tuxedo
Post Care- Thayers Witch Hazel with grapefruit EO and M-Bomb
Nivea Sensitive AS balm

Another amazing shave tonight. I've been so busy doing honey-do's around the house I haven't shaved since Thursday. This was my second go with the Bunny and first time using Sterling soaps. First, the Bunny is wonderful. Three passes; WTG, XTG and ATG and I'm BBS everywhere. I could have stopped at the second pass and been left with a DFS but then I would have wasted all that beautiful Stirling lather. This soap lathered so easily, it was slick and protective and it left my face feeling great. The menthol chilled my face wonderfully, this stuff should be required for Phoenix summers. While strong, the menthol didn't make my eyes water or overpower the lovely scent of this soap. I'm officially hooked on Stirling. Have a great day folks!

 

SOTD June 12, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick G1 Injector
Brush: Semogue 1520 boar
Lather: Ginger's Garden Salty Mariner
Post: Witch hazel splash, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG

Sorry, no pic due to travel. Late night shave due to vacation. Went with one pass only, WTG. Pretty good shave for one pass. Ginger's Garden provided some fantastic lather and the G1 was great as usual.

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

You're welcome. It's wonderful soap that will stay in my rotation. I'm glad you like it.

 

I usually have the irritation problem on my neck as well. Hair tends to grow in different directions there so it's a bit tougher to nail down without a bit of work until you learn the direction to go. I think with the additional thickness of injector blades they can be a bit harsh when compared to DE's, but that's my impression. You've done well following @Rufus T. 's sage counsel on using them. He certainly has made them a regular part of his day and I include him in my short list of injector experts. Now, if only I could find some Russian injector blades. Those plus Russian Artist Clubs.

 

This is the best advice thread ever. A compendium of every shaving issue possible. Even skunk. See Jan 2015.

Carry on.

And be good, or be good at it.

 

In Soviet Russia, time does you.