March '16 - 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion Thread

Just came today from getting cleaned up and honed. These will be part of March's focus.

 

Tentative is not good when shaving with a SR, but with each shave your confidence will grow and the tentativeness will go away. If it feels wrong back off. It takes time but you will see improvement. My improvement came in big steps, all of sudden I would improve then no improvement and then a big jump again.

 

Since it is my only vintage American steel, I am leaning towards keeping it. If only it were 7/8

 

One of these days I will pick up a SR, I just keep telling myself "baby steps". It's what my grandfather used on my father's side, how I wish I had that razor.

 

Seriously, the dark side has cookies. And shiny sharp steel bits that intimidate all but the chosen. And cookies.

 

I love cookies

 

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It's pain stick time!! Yes, after a few months of straights, a trip through Germany and a few other diversions, it's time to wander back to the land of the pain stick and dust off the Feather SS. There were a few discussions about the different AC blades available for the sticks and I happen to have four of them in my vault. Well, actually five if you count the Kamisori blade from Canada, but my only experience with that blade was, shall we say, less than stellar. And, with an AC razor, a less than stellar blade is not something you want to have loaded up much.

The plan for the month is simple. It's a focus built like a rule, if you will. Here are the four blades I'll be using in order.

1. Kai Mild
2. Kai Original
3. Feather Pro
4. Feather Super Pro

I'm not using any of the guard blades or the Feather Mild as its reputation isn't too good with most who have used it. Too mild is the usual complaint. I'll be using each blade for 7 days which will actually leave 3 days at the end of the month for me to figure out something to do but, I seem to always find something. I'm still searching (in vain so far) for a Russian AC blade. No leads but the boys are digging deep out there trying to find something. If I do I'll add it at the end.

So, the focus is on the blade comparison. What is the "rule" aspect? Easy. I'm only using one soap for the month. I will rotate brushes, but I'm only using Tabac for the month. That way the difference in blade performance should only be created by the blade, not a change in soap. The only other variable will be the use of a DE IF and only IF necessary to finish a shave off. I'll keep the '59 SS loaded with a Voskhod just in case but don't plan to use it unless there is no other option.

As always, the pain stick presents particular challenges including not slicing and dicing my way to the finish line. Hopefully my technique will settle in fast and things will go smoothly. And, by starting with the Kai Mild the chances of arterial bleeding should be lessened in the beginning.

Here's to a great month of March!

 

I actually almost bought one today at the antique store but knowing nothing about them nor how to maintain them I passed. It was tempting though, the razor was beautiful.

 

I have a lime green pain stick on my amazon wish list. Either I will get it or my family will get the hint. Good luck, hopefully you face continues its recent trend and get through this month in one piece.

 

Be warned, they multiply.

 

Neal, how much are you willing to risk for our enjoyment your blade comparison? I have a new pack of Dorco I am willing to send to you in the name of science. Just PM and promise to post pics of the blood BBS results and the blades are yours.

 

One way to test the waters cheaply is a Whipped Dog sight unseen. Also some members have been know to lend razors in order to encourage movement to the dark side.

 

It is true, they are easier to breed than pet rocks.... but the two seem to go hand in hand.

 

And straights lead to strops.
Next thing you know your doing
a cost/benefit analysis comparing
(send em out) VS. (buying a Norton).

 

I thought we agreed to only talk about the cookies?

 

Cross my heart and hope to uh, not bleed to death. PM on the way.

 

March Madness

I'm going to mix things up a bit for March. Not quite madness, but a competition of sorts. I'm going to challenge the blades that did well in the Old Type to see how they do in three different razors that need a little more love:

Birth Quarter Tech, Birth Quarter Super Speed (y3), and the New LC.

Each razor will see the Feather, Gillette Platinum Plus, and Wilkinson Sword. The Tech will also get the Rapira Super Stainless since I haven't used that blade in the Tech so far. The other aspects of the shave will be as the whim hits me, but aside from the soap, are likely to be pretty consistent. I'm going to work through the razors from mildest to most aggressive. Here is the rotation I plan at this point:

Birth Quarter Tech - Rapira Super Stainless, GPP, Wilkinson Sword, Feather
Birth Quarter SS - Feather, GPP, Wilkinson Sword
NEW LC - Wilkinson Sword, GPP, Feather.

I hope everyone has a great month!

 

Some will even loan both a straight and a strop. Pm me if interested.

 

Opps, sorry I'm new here.

And while on the subject, do y'all tend to post SOTD's here or over there? I'm leaning toward there, but keeping the gritty details here.
For instance, I used Shave Secret preshave oil & C.O.Bigelow cream needed more water to get slick, and clung to my blade. Anyone have issues with that?

 

I'm glad you like it. They are great shavers. Have fun!