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

Hard to believe this razor is on the bubble but it is lighter and smaller than I prefer. On the other hand it was my first 'pretty' straight, it looks very cool and has a cool name. Today's razor fighting to keep it's home is a Genco "Easy Aces", old school American steel.
I find it easier to manoeuvre and use light pressure with a heavy blade so I really have to focus with this razor... whom am I kidding I have to really focus with any SR. A smooth edge and no blood 4 pass shave. Apply the alum and zero feedback. I always worry about a light weight full hollow razor skipping but I do enjoy all the noise it makes, you can hear it cutting the whiskers. To my surprise I was BBS.

It is going to be hard decisions with this razor... TBC

QCS Fougère
Woodhead scuttle
Harold Russian leather strop
Thäter 2 band
Jeris Osage Rub AS
L'Occitane ASB
Houbigant Fogère Royal

 

WD was the intro to the dark side for many of us including me.

 

Resistance is futile.... what a minute wrong scifi reference. The cookies are almost ready.

 

I love vintage American Steel. If it helps, that razor is part of the Case Family deal. Geneva Razors changed their name to Genco after WR Case & Sons purchased the company. Still made great razors. I think you should keep that one.

 

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.