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

I have cartel first responders standing by just in case. Just part of the benefits of paying protection.

 

Nice work! I wondered how it would feel to you since you started with TSR's first. It is a different feel, although the grip isn't too far off, just the pinkie is in a much different spot. The blade difference is rather startling. Since I started pain stick then went TSR I had a great time with the straights since it was a nice relief. The machine ground AC blades and the hardness of the stainless really does make the blade less forgiving on the pains. Nice to know major first aid was not necessary!

 

Well I just want to leave the shaving world a better place for all. And that does include making sure the superior quality of blades from glorious motherland never fall out of favor! Running the cartel isn't easy, but it is interesting. Just having Ivan around is enough to make it that! Hopefully my shaves will inspire others to take risks, try new things, develop great technique and allow that technique to trump even the worst tools! Or perhaps warn them to just take my word for it.....sometimes it SUCKS proving that theory.

 

I have Ivan and Yuri sitting by the mailbox everyday to make sure I don't miss it! Anytime someone asks me how willing I am to try something that sounds painful or dangerous you know it gets my adrenaline up!

 

Shave Secret PS oil, Arko
VDH boar, Suribachi bowl
WD 5/8 Brandt Round Point
Wild Country AS, Clinique PSH

Thought I'd "rub the stick on my face" but didn't have enough stubble to get a good load. Next option was rubbing on the textured ceramic bowl, much more better! For those considering joining The Dark Side a Whipped Dog is a decent vintage starter straight. It won't be as pretty as a restored or new razor. It will give good shave for a decent price. Larry will discuss your needs and wants and set you up. My shave was efficient and uneventful, but Arko left me feeling dry. Swipe of alum, rinse, & a splash of Avon AS. I grabbed a smear of Clinique post-shave healer. It has very little scent and a good dose of aloe.

 

Route 66 Black Pearl
VdH boar brush
CJB painstick
Kai mild blade
The Veg

I'm still loving this soap. It is so easy to lather and feels great on the skin. The brush I'm still undecided on. Its not broken in yet so its just preforming sub-par. I'm hoping it stops shedding at some point too. It lost 8-10 hairs today.

This is the 4th shave on the mild blade and there is still no sign of blade degradation. I chased the baby some and paid for it. 3 passes with scything, buffing and tilted blade passes to mimic a slant. I almost caught it except for a line right across my throat in the crease that forms when I look down. No blood but the Veg lit me up. SWMBO said it smelled great today.

The girl child has a neighbor sleeping over and we get her all day tomorrow while her parents are working. Errand day tomorrow with a pharmacy trip a stop by the post office to send some donations for the restarted nationwide box tour and a trip to the animal shelter to look at a dog for an emotional support animal for my fiancee who has PTSD from a past assault. Her doctor seems to think it will help since shes at the max dose of her anxiety meds and still has trouble around the public. We are hoping for this adult female feist mix named Lilo. Here's some pictures because, who doesn't like cute dogs.




These are pictures off of Petfinder. We haven't seen it in person yet but the shelter is having diminishing adoption costs due to a March Madness deal until April 4. Tomorrow is the last day for half price adoptions ($32) it reduces gradually down to $4 on April 1 and a pick your fee on April 4. Then it is regular price up to $65 again. I think we got this support animal paperwork just in time. No need for a specially trained animal for this but it benefits from the service dog rules out and about and in our apartment complex.

 

Hello Chris and everyone. I'm way behind on the antics, but I hope to catch up over the weekend.

 

Congratulations Chris! You can be assured of your progress when you get consistent results day after day. I remember Geofatboy stating that it took about 100 shaves to really master a SR. Having to apply yourself to learn a new skill makes it even more special. Great job!

 

I hope everything works out, Lilo looks like a nice dog.

 

SOTD
March 19, 2016
Prep: Hot Shower. Noxzema
Razor: Merkur Futur (3)
Blade: Personna Lab Blue
Lather: The Strop Shoppe Russian Tea
Brush: RazoRock Plissoft
Post: Thayers Rose Petal WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Fine L'Orange Noir
Man, fantastic shave. The Strop Shoppe Russian Tea is fabulous!! The Merkur Futur is a fine shaver, I'm very happy with this purchase. I going to dail it down tomorrow to 2.5. Fine L'Orange Noir is a favorite of my wife's.
Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try

 

SOTD March 19, 2016
March focus shave 17
Schick Saturday

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick G1 injector
Brush: Trader Joe's synthetic
Lather: TSD Tabac-type (sample)
Post: Witch hazel splash, Country Club Sweet Water after shave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, XTG, touch-up



Really close shave with the G1 injector. This little razor looks quite innocuous but is a tool to be respected. No nicks or weepers today. I had one little area right under my nose that felt a little raw, but it was okay in the end. I did two passes with touch-up today as I had more time. I would qualify this shave as DFS. There is only little area under my jaw around the point of the chin that could've used more touch-up.

The TSD Tabac-type soap was fantastic. I'm really bad at describing scents and I couldn't really put a finger on the main scent of this one. It was a little powdery? I enjoyed it immensely. The consistency of the lather is thick and yogurty, the slickness is great, and the protection is top-notch. I could only use TSD soaps and be happy. I need to get some more.

I'm trying to go with longer strokes as I shave. My previous technique was shorter strokes, perhaps two or three inches long. I've switched to a long stroke all the way down my face (on the first pass) and then back to the top of the lather and pull straight down again without stopping.

I hope you all enjoy your Saturday!

 

Straights Focus March 19:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
TSD Lanolin Iced Sub-zero
Johan Engstrom
Stirling Unscented PSB
Aqua Velva Musk

I had a decent shave this morning. I haven't quite figured this razor out. Normally, I get pretty close to CCS with my other straights on just one pass. With this razor, I can't get that same level a closeness. It doesn't feel tuggy, so I think I need to play with the angle a bit.

I am thinking that next month, I am going to focus on getting to really know the differences between some of my razors, so this may be where I really figure this razor out.

 

Great write up. I also tend to use longer shaving strokes with SE razors. I find it much more efficient and comfortable.

 

03/19/2016
Ikon B1 OC with Triad SS
Feather (3)
BSB-2 with Vie-Long 2 Band
Jabonman Citricos
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Shambala
Whipped Shea Butter

​

What a great morning. The BSB-2 whipped up the Jabonman soap with little to know effort. This brush has great backbone with very good scrub and little to know scritch. I enjoy the big brush face feel in such a small package. I have really enjoyed the Jabonman soap. It has proved to be very easy to lather and has a great scent. I'm just about finished with this one with only 1 or 2 shaves left. It will get added to the buy again list.

For weekend shave duties, I substituted the Ikon B1 OC for the Wolfman OC. The Ikon B1 OC is a modern razor that seems to be based on the Gillette New Deluxe. The two shave very similarly. Going with a quick 2 pass shave this morning paying attention to my trouble spots as I went provided very good results. After a cold water rinse, there was enough residual slickness left to touch up a couple of spots ending in a BBS shave. Finished up with a splash of F&C Shambala and I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

 

Great picture and an excellent review. Thanks

 

March 19

B2 Mongoose
Feather Super Pro (6)
Kent BK4 silvertip badger
Tabac
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and CC Bay Rum

Today was my first shave with Tabac in more than two years. I didn't need it, but I couldn't resist the deal on Amazon for a shave stick refill. It was one of my first soaps when I started wet shaving. Opinions vary on the scent, but I like it. I face lather using the shave stick. It's easy to build a nice creamy, slick lather, and the performance is fantastic.

I enjoyed a relaxing two pass shave (WTG/ATG and XTG). I will swap the blade after tomorrow's shave, and I'll give the Kent brush a rest as well. I hope everyone has a great Saturday.

 

Injector Focus
Today was my second shave with this baby. Reviews will be posted in the Homemade Injector thread tonight. Off for a hike.
SOTD
Irisch Moos soap
AoS Pure Badger brush
Bunny V3
Chick blade (1)
Pinaud Special Reserve AS
Have a great weekend!

 

Thank you Doug. I hope your weekend is going well.

 

Do far so good . Sun is shining, but it's still cool. No complaints !

 

Shave Den from five miles over Utah...