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

March Madness - Day Two
16 March 2016



Yup.
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Near BBS. Pretty much the same as yesterday, two tiny weepers, different locations. Smooth though. Canned goo performs great, but I like Route 66, TSD and Arko too much to ever go back after this...but it turned out great. Since I didn't have any Barbasol AS, I just went with Veg. Techniques Trump Tools. Oh yeah, other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a terrific Thursday!
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Eight bucks? Wow, what a deal. You are motivating me to try and hone something myself. Nice setup!

 

Wednesday Shave

Hot water
Pso-Homemade mint oil
Razor-Gillette Flair Tip SS
Blade- Rapira Platinum Lux (4) seconds
Brush- none needed
Soap- Eli's Extracts Oceania
Thayers Witch Hazel
ASB- Pinaud "Veg"

A couple new items were tried out tonight for excellent results. I received 3 jars of creams from Eli's Extracts from the February newbie giveaway even though they only promised 2! I tried the Oceania tonight; eucalyptus, lemon and lime scent. I wasn't sure whether to shave with it or eat it, it smells wonderful. This was my first go with a lather-less cream but it preformed beautifully. I used a dime sized dollop and rubbed it on my hands then face. 3 passes and I chased the baby just a bit but very little irritation, I'm BBS everywhere. I also tried the veg for the first time tonight. I like it a lot, very cooling and I like the scent. My wife will be the judge if I've been chosen.

For my focus I worked on face stretching. I firmly believe it is responsible for my quality shaves the past 2 days. It allows me to get so close with very little irritation. Have a great evening folks!

 

One more day, then this Baby goes back to the Kansas Prairie. I submit application for affiliated status with the BOPS.

The CJB is pretty much like a straight.

Which isn't much harder than a Schick G, which isn't any harder than a Cadet OC, which isn't much harder than a FB on 7, which isn't much harder than an 89 type head, or a Slim on 3. Techs are hard, but only in that they require a very precise angle of attack to remain efficient, but they give a great shave when applied correctly.

Are straights dangerous? Yes. Seriously dangerous. I have a tiny scar in the middle of my chin from learning straights. Cool, huh?

Are they manageable? Yes.

Too risky in 2016, given all the great safety razors? Yes and no.

Fun? Oh yeah. It's a "zone" activity.

When skills and curiosity exceed risk and fear, I suggest trying a straight.

Don't do it as a brand newbie. Learn the other stuff, like shave in the dark master it, first.

I actually got cut more with a Cadet and a Schick G than with a straight. Shaving technique and application are somewhat universal after a certain experience waypoint.

Here's all I know, in one post.


All razors are the same.

Yes. Indeed. Blade bevel floating on lather shearing hair. I used to overthink razors. Badly.

Here's how I use one:

Low angle, correct pressure. Pressure came to me through experience. All razors differ a little here.

Good lather. Wet, dense. Slick. Temp is largely about comfort, I like cold.

Practice. Commit. This it how it works for me. Strive to learn the intricacies of the tool before me before judging it.

Precise strokes. My face deserves my best work, every day.

Angles are everything. Pretty much everything.

Skin stretching helps. A ton.

Don't let a cut break my confidence. It will heal.

Just pick it up and shave. It all happens again tomorrow.

 

This is an example of great writing, and why TSD is such a joy to read. Well said Chris!

 

Alls I have to say is this - and you have to keep the volume UP

 

I tend to stick at 3.5 but if my blade is lacking abit I will push it as high as 5 for touch ups. It's actually very forgiving. I know ymmv but 3.5 seems to be the most popular from what I've read.

 

Thanks, Tom! Now I have a good starting point.
Kerry

 

3/17/16

Gillette Birth Quarter Super Speed (Y3)
Gillette Platinum Plus (2)
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Chiseled Face Sherlock
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Alum
Pinaud Clubman Original



Second shave with the Gillette Platinum Plus in my Birth Quarter Super Speed. Typical 2 passes, good reduction. Good amount of touch up with lather on my face since had so much. A cool water rinse followed by a light amount of touch up gave me a DFS+. I tried not to chase the baby today, but apparently I didn't stop early enough because the Clubman burned strongly. It feels BBS everywhere except the spots that show themselves when I put my chin to my chest. I only used the alum during my first pass to stretch the skin. Thought perhaps I'd left it on a little too long yesterday and it might have caused some irritation.

I hope everyone has a nice Thursday.

 

Well said, Chris.

 

SOTD
March 17, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Edwin Jagger DE89lbl
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: MWF
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft
Post: Thayers Rose Petal WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Floid Black
The Edwin Jagger DE89lbl works so well for me, the other day I did a head shave with it and my results were pretty good. MWF is good. Not great IMO. Lacking slickness.
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try

 

03/17/2016
Wolfman OC with Hempel Ti
Feather (1)
WDC-6 “Bear” with Sunrise Synthetic
Jabonman Citricos
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Shambala
Whipped Shea Butter

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A great shave this morning. The WDC-6 Bear is a heavy brush but feels wonderful in my hand providing a secure grip even when wet. I think I will reset the knot this weekend, increasing the finished loft from 50mm to 52mm. This should help the brush splay more naturally and still maintain good backbone. The Jabonman provided a slick and protective lather for the shave. Going with my usual 2 pass shave and minimal touch ups produced a near BBS shave. Finished with a splash of F&C Shambala. Off to work and more tax returns. I hope everyone has a Happy St Patrick's Day.

 

SOTD March 17, 2016
March focus shave 15

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Personna lab blue (3)
Razor: Maggard MR1 with V2 open comb
Brush: Satin Tip 'ThePurest' synthetic
Lather: Proraso Red shaving soap
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Fine American Blend, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up



Pretty good shave this morning. There were a couple of spots I probably should have touched up a little more, but I have a good CCS so it's all okay. Proraso Red has been a joy to use the past three days. The combo of it with Fine American is a great choice.

Happy St. Patrick's Day to everyone!

 

Straights Focus March 17:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
PdP SS
Ralf Aust 5/8
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Vanilla AS

Another nice one pass shave this morning. I am really appreciating this razor, as it is very smooth. The PdP started it off right, and the Clubman Vanilla was the right finish. I am off to Houston this morning. Have a great day.

 

The Derby dash continues on St. Patrick's Day. Day 5 with this blade was not quite as smooth but the shave results were outstanding, DFS bordering on BBS. The Blackbird can do it with this blade, however, the Derby is simply not as smooth as Astra, GSB or Persona in this tool. I'm going to try and stretch this blade through Saturday, but if not, I can pop a new blade in mid-shave.

 

Very well said!

 

No problem Kerry and don't believe the negative reviews regarding grip and safe loading it's complete rubbish I handle mine with wet hands and it never slips I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.

 

I never buy into negative reviews on any product until I try it first. Thanks!!! Tom.

 

Razor: Gillette President Y 1, 1953
Blade: Gillette Platinum (4)
Brush: WDC-6, The Bear, Brass Handle, TGN, 24/65 Premium Silvertip Badger.
Soap: Jeeves Soap, Private Study
A/S: Myrsol Formula "C"