June 2020 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Great lineup and photo Mark. Happy Friday Amigo

 

Thanks Clint! TGIF amigo!

 

Thank you Mark.

 

My shave this morning ran into a problem, which forces me to reduce the commentary by two or three. It began real well-I finally have successfully negotiated the Stoylin Frost Drops issue(that is, the more you shake it, the more "drops" will come out, as opposed to a mini Niagra Falls). After the first pass, I noticed an area I completely missed..on the right side, between my mouth and the jawline. Well that's all right, I'll get it on Pass #2. I got to that area, but was too aggressive, resulting in a nasty cut. It required some Neosporin and a bandage. Also there was a small nick during the first pass...harmless. Good Y-formation work on the neck. Otherwise a fine shave, but with the cut it ends up as Pretty Excellent. But I'll end on a positive note-Stoylin BoS passed the "hot weather test" and will remain as an additional soap for summer use.

 

The top of your razor blocked the name of the soap. I see you have it in your report as OC&BP. What is that?

 

SOTD WOOL FAT FRIDAY, JUNE 26, 2020

Welcome to Wool Fat Friday. I'd like to begin by offering a heartfelt apology to all of my straight razor shaving brothers out there in shave land. Yesterday I received a message from one of my shave friends from an Australian online shave forum I'm a member of. It was quite straightforward. I quote, “Mate, since you picked up the Dovo, you’ve started sounding like a whiny %*&#$(c-word)”. After rereading those posts, he’s right. I in no way meant to put down your shaving practice. There will be no repeat of that tone in my posts from this point forward. Please accept my apologies for any unintended insults! I guess I was masking my own anxiety about reentering open edge shaving after my 5 year hiatus. At my age I should know better.

Back to this morning’s shave! Use of the Dovo Special is improving day by day. Today’s three pass (WTG, XTG, ATG) face shave felt more comfortable, although I'm still struggling with proper holding technique for my XTG and ATG passes. Any recommendations from you more accomplished open edge shavers would be welcome. My WTG pass was uneventful as I’ve become more comfortable In using both hands. There were two set down errors resulting in minor nicks one for each of the next two passes on my right non-dominant side. Proraso styptic gel took care of them. Is there a video showing the best way to hold the razor for XTG and ATG strokes?

Classic Shaving has a reputation as a safety razor design innovator. They offered up the Cobra Classic as the first or one of the first successful AC safety razor designs followed by the Oren, Enoch and Hiram, all named after the owner’s sons. The Occam’s DE was another one of their innovative offerings. Crafted from molten SS through a MIM process instead of CNC, allowed them to offer the razor at an unbelievable price point for a 316L SS razor, around $60 for three baseplates and two top caps. Unfortunately, due to its amazing shaving reputation, the razor is no longer available.

What I like about it is the aggressive baseplate which is remarkably similar to the Eclipse Red Ring’s, and which delivers a shave every bit as good as the latter. The software for today’s shave was my old stalwart, MWF, which my Viking Silvertip Badger whipped up into the thick, protective, and slick lather it’s famous for. The Occam’s easily cleaned up the remaining stubble on my mug, and mowed through my noggin stubble in two slow, relaxing passes (WTG, ATG) with just as much ease. I feel refreshed, cool, clean and velveteen, happily returned to VBBS land.

RAZOR: Dovo Special (Mug), Occam’s DE (Noggin)
BLADE: Sharp Star (2)
PREP: Cold water rinse and Chel Cooling Gel as a Preshave
BRUSH: Viking Silvertip Badger
SOAP: Mitchell’s Wool Fat w/ 6 drops of M-Bomb
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by Humphreys Lilac WH and Chel Cooling Gel as an AS Balm.

 

Thanks Blair!

 

Orange, Cedarwood & Black Pepper

 

As we are now in the final week of June, a check on the survey shows that Basic Razors, More Cookies and More Ice Cream are locked in a tie for second. I believe this will be the "race within the race" to watch. At 8% it has become apparent that Rock&Rule is having difficulty progressing his way out of that gate.

 

Oh OK Clint, thanks. Sounds like a nice trio.

 

Thank you, Clint!

Great shave and picture, Clint! Love the new brush!

Thanks, Joe!
I don't find the scent of Luden's cough drops offensive in any way.

Nice, Mark!

Sorry about the cut, Paul.

Wonderful picture and report, Jeff!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

Excellent shave report and lineup Jeff. Happy Friday

 

Sorry about the nasty cut Paul. Glad that you like the BoS that you will use it all yr round.

 

The Max Headroom opinion is that the closest shaves are not elusive, but more difficult with true straights.

A gentleman who has sold and honed tens of thousands of straight razors once wrote that his closest high comfort shave was given by a Turkish barber using a shavette.

Many of my friends from the dark side would disagree. What we will agree on is how comfortable an irritation free shave an expertly honed straight can deliver in a skilled hand.

 

I didn't take offense Jeff! I am sure that there were newbie straight shavers that have used adult language. Have you seen the youtube shavers that I recommended? Ok you asked for it so here it goes. Disclaimer: what works for me may not work for you.
Going against the grain, I have the razor in a straight line so that the blade and scales form a 180 degree angle. I have my thumb in the normal position and my index finger on the shaft with the remaining fingers on the handle. This is what I call the kamisori grip because you would be shaving like you are using a kamisori.
I normally don't do ATG, but I would hold the razor in your standard position with the scales at a 90 degree. I use my index and middle finger on shaft and the ring finger on the tang. I let my pinky roam free. Some people use the pinky on the tang with the ring finger but that's a matter of preference. Hope this helps.

 

We’re in total agreement, Bill! My barber, Jeff, of Players Barbershop in Hatboro, Pa delivers an incredible face and head shave using a Feather DX Kamisori. The barbershop has a bunch of videos on YT. Guys come from all over the tri-state area for their quality shaves. They’re not cheap, but the process is well worth it. I treat myself every couple of months to a head and face shave.

 

Thank you, Joe, for your gracious response, but whether you did or not, I was behaving badly and felt the need to apologize. In any case thanks for the tips. I assume you meant XTG for the 180 degree grip.

 

Yeah it made it. But I still can't say I "like it". Here's where "The More The Merrier" may come into play.

 

No, I did meant ATG for the 180 grip. If I am going S to N on my neck or cheek area, then I use the 180 degree hold. Sometimes, I do use the 90 degree hold going ATG on my cheeks going S to N. It really depends on what I feel like doing.

 

Thanks, Clint!