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

On.y 16 shaves in and you almost to BBS, wow

 

Did you die?

 

Isn't this a 'hold my beer' moment? What blade are you using?

 

It looks silly but stretching your skin will improve your shaves. I make lots of contortions to get a flat surface to shave.

 

March into Artist Club Blades

March 15

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (1)
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Tabac
Post - Cole water, Alum, Nivea

After taking yesterday off I had a nice two day growth to challenge the Feather Pro with on its first day of comparisons. So far the Kai blades both performed extremely well with the difference between mild and original being the irritation level (original creates more) and the forgiveness level of the blades (original has less). Obviously those results aren't real shocking. Sharper blades can create more irritation, though not always a given, and are normally less forgiving as well. Of course a blade that is truly dull is worst of all with both categories. The mild Kai is not dull. Just less aharp.

The Feather Pro is a tried and true blade in the AC world. I've used it before and had mixed results. I like the results once it's under control. Getting it under control has been a challenge at times. Now, is that its true character or is that just because I don't have enough experience to have the technique locked in?

Great Tabac lather again. I will say that two weeks with Tabac has improved my lather with this soap. It was always a superior lather but it could be a bit inconsistent for me. It's definitely thick, slick and consistent at this point. I miss the Fat but I can be quite content with the Tabac for awhile longer.

First pass with the extra growth and the blade acts like there's nothing extra there. Nice audible feedback but the beard was wiped away fast and easy with the WTG. Not finished, of course, but definitely less beard than even one day's growth. I would have to call it a CCS after that first pass. Really sharp and effective and felt very comfortable and smooth. Second pass, XTG, also proved smooth and no problems at all. Had a DFS after two but went back for a bit of touch up in some small areas, like next to my left ear. Just seemed a bit rough there. Went WTG and had the tip a little too close to my ear and nicked the upper ear. No blood to speak of, just a visible mark. Well, that's what happens when you set down off by a 1/16th of an inch. Other than that a great finish, nice DFS and the alum was mostly quiet. A couple of areas I overworked on the neck lit up but that was it. A fine shave with a fine setup. Now, for a Japanese snack to celebrate.

​

 

I definitely got a closer shave by doing it plus, it's getting me closer to joining the dark side...white chocolate macadamia nut are my favorite

 

It's key for SR shaving. I'm mixing the cookie dough now.

 

Thanks! I seem to be picking it up fast, getting pretty comfortable with it. Probably be much harder if I didn't have a goatee, I understand the upper lip and chin are far more difficult. I think it probably helps I'm fairly ambidextrous.

Indeed, I started working on skin stretching with a DE and it definitely gets a better shave. And if you ever want to use a straight it is critical. I credit practicing skin stretching while still using a DE (along with getting a great lather) in my straight razor progress. It leaves just one, admittedly difficult, skill to focus on.

 

I did a few things for the first time today.

CJB
Kai Captain MG
Kai Captain Mild
Route 66 Black Pearl
RazoRock Plissoft
Gabel's Sta-Cool AS

I went to CVS today to pick up hair dye for my Fiancee and noticed that they had fog-free shower mirrors for 75% off so I got one. I decided to try a shower shave. I still had the guard blade in the CJB so I lathered up and touched blade to face. After the first stroke I started yelling to my Fiancee to bring me the Kai mild blade. It didn't want to cut hair. It pulled and hurt. After the Mild blade was put in I relathered and did the pass. Smooth and comfortable. I did a 2 pass with the mild N/S and S/N. I managed a DFS with 2 weepers. Not bad for my first un-guarded blade.

The Route 66 loved the Plissoft and I had enough lather to cover my face the 3 times I did plus at least a pass or 2 more. The added humidity was great. I didn't have to add water to the brush and the lather stayed so wet I was afraid it would drip off my face. One thing I did not like about shower shaving was the water temp. I am a cool water shower taker but a hot water shaver so I turned up the shower hotter than I like but cooler then I shave with. I may try cool water next time to see if I can stand it for a shave.

I tried the Gabel's Sta-Cool. It smelled like listerine but felt good and chilly on the skin. I Liked the feel but not the lingering mouthwash smell. Next up for aftershave is The Veg and Pinaud Bay Rum. The Veg has been good to me and it has been bad for me so we'll see how it is next time I use it. I don't like Bay Rum but my fiancee loves it on me so I'm going to wear it since I get so much positive reinforcement when I do.

 

Love that brush!

 

There has been a @Bama Samurai sighting in the "What Have You Learned From Your Last Shave" thread.

He didn't die or have to be rushed to urgent care to be sown up. TTT at its finest.

 

Gimme a few...

 

Didn't want anyone to worry. There have been inquiries. We were worried you would slip into acting like @NCoxSTL and need medical attention.

 

The Ides of March

March Madness 2016



CJB - aka "the Pain Stick"
Kai Captain Blades
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
TSD ISZ AS Splash
Pinaud Lilac Vegetal
Patience
Care​

I had no idea how this was gonna go. The strategy I chose was just pretend it was the Aust folded open, don't think about disaster, and just shave....real smooth and easy like. It turns out that it's very doable, but only because I read all the other guys and learned SR before trying. Did the NBSP per usual and just did it. It did have two very minor weepers, I attribute that to the thinner blade. I like straights better, they aren't as sharp and scary, but will definitely do it again tomorrow. More 45mph wind today! Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a nice evening!

 

Neil is a pioneer, innovator, Russophile extraordinaire, and a big time shot caller on the Rapira neighborhood. But you're right, his shaves are pretty much all or nothing, and an inspiration, if not a warning.

 

Just two minor weepers!! Well done. I also like straights better but every now and then we need a hold my beer bottle of Souther Comfort moment. When I first tried a shavette it cut me pretty bad and delayed my entry into the dark side by a year. Now that I have been using straights I can use the CJB, but I strongly prefer a SR.

 

I sent Neil something very special to attempt in his pain stick.... I am waiting to see it.

 

I'm not much better then he is. I do some pretty extreme things for the art of shaving. I'm going to try honing a tiger 3H into something shave worthy at some point. I have it on hand but I havent figured out how to hold it correctly without cutting myself while I hone.

 

I'm waiting for it too. It proves to be interesting.

 

ShaveSecret PSoil / Strop Shoppe S.E.
Cataraugus B-hone / Torrey 5/8
alum block / Pinaud Lilac Vegetal

After using PreShave oil for better than a week I have to say it does make a difference for me. Not knowing the ingredients of the product, I ought to research making my own. Maybe lime patchouli instead of bay rum scented. Still have several uses left in this discontinued tallow soap. Good stuff & I should have bought a full sized rather than six samples. Poking through my straights, I spotted a Torrey I had forgotten. Amazing what a barbers hone will do in a couple strokes. One day I'll invest in the Norton 4k/8k but for now I can refresh an edge. Stropped up and shaved for a very smooth DFS! One nick on my chin closed quickly, no noise from the alum. Being Chosen, I enjoyed a goody handful of the green.