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

March 24, 2016
The month of March has me focused on two Schick E type razors: a Canadian E and a US E2, while also trying out different blades with each.

But some of the other non-conformists on TSD (over in the Injector/SE Shave Party thread) are honoring the 102nd anniversary of the patent on the 1914 EverReady (3-24-1914).

Last September I picked up what I think is the 1912 GEM Junior and ‘1924’ EverReady (ShovelHead) when I did a month of SEs for SE SEptember. I shaved with about 12 different GEMs and injectors that month and then dove head first into the injector RAD rabbit hole. As a result I only had time for one shave each with the 1912 and ‘1924.’

So though I don’t own the 1914, in the spirit of it all I will use the 1912 today and 1924 tomorrow.

Hot Shower
Razor: 1912 Gem
Blade: GEM PTFE
Soap: Nancy Boy Signature
Brush: Rooney 3/3 "Super" Silvertip
TSD Witch Hazel
Myrsol Agua de Limon



Two-pass shave - XTG, ATG
What a wonderful shave! This is probably as close to the sensation of using a straight as I can imagine (or as close as I'll ever get to using one) as you can hear and feel the reverberation of each whisker cut against the blade/razor. Too cool! Just 3-4 hours later, it's near the efficiency of the Schick Es I’ve been using this month. Will know for sure tomorrow, but my face is oh so smooth right now and no irritation.

Cheers!
RT

 

Good picture. I like the Myrsol Agua de Limon also.

 

Your Old Spice bottles are beautiful!

 

Thanks very much for your kind thoughts.

 

3/24/16 SOTD
Razor: Kinfolks “The Ace” 5/8 square point
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Chromexcel Horse/ Linen
Brush: 28mm Ubersoft II with Aluminum handle
Soap: Jeeves of Hudson Street Cherry Blossom
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum, Thayers’ Rose Witch Hazel

First shave with this razor. Amazing. Kinfolks is another brand manufactured in New York/ Pennsylvania. Kinfolks was started by three cousins, two with the last name of Case, and one named Platt. It is considered part of the Case Family of cutlery companies. This razor has almost no hone wear, and has the original celluloid scales, bolsters, and pins. Glenn honed it up to 30K on the Sharpton system, and man can this thing shave. Two passes and touch up, and just shy of BBS. Soap was awesome. I had planned on trading out the knot in this brush handle for a badger, but I may just keep it. I prefer boar, but sometime synthetic is nice.

 

Wow!!! Great collection of Old Spice Bottles.

 

There full also. Thanks Clint.

 

Day 83 - 90 Day Intro to SR
Belated post 23 March



Ralf Aust 5/8

Day 84 - 90 Day Intro to SR
SOTD - 24 March 2016



WD "Sight Unseen" 5/8
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Route 66 - Lumberjack
Alum
TSD ISZ AS Splash
Pinaud Clubman 23 March
Kroger Arctic Blue 24 March

Have a Good Friday!
​

 

Finally got dug out. This blizzard made a crazy mess.

 

Prep: Shower
Pre: None (for this month)
Razor: VDH DE Butterfly Safety Razor
Blade: Personna red
Lather: PAA Beach
Brush: VDH Boar Brush
Post: Loreal Post Shave Balm
3 passes. WTG, XTG, ATG
I have a razor rock preshave soap I have and will be using next month. I wanted to get a feel for the PAA soap first. It have discovered that the personna red will only give me 2 shaves and 3rd is rough. I got 3 shaves during spring break time due to keeping sideburns and goatee. If I go full shave though I only get 2 different shaves. I like this blade. I don't get nicked unless I have an ingrown hair bump. Its a smooth blade and it helps that the soap is really smooth as well. I need a new post shave because this one here seems to burn. I have gone without it and feel good without it. One day I was wearing the balm and started sweating. Man o man was my neck on fire with the sweat and balm. So far, I am enjoying getting to know this art and knowing what my face can handle. That is all for now.

 

March into Artist Club Blades

March 24

Razor - Feather SS
Blade - (4)
Brush - BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Proraso
Post - Cold water, Alum, Nivea

On to the fourth day on the Dorco. Fourco anyone? Yeah, it's not a good pun but it's all I've got at the moment. The blade again seems about like it has been since day two. Not the smoothest, not the worst blade I've felt by a long shot, and still producing DFS on two passes. A few clean up areas but that's normal for me. I got to thinking about a question from @DDuckyMark about the Kamisori blade made in Canada. I did try that blade and will say that the Dorco has outperformed it by a mile. The Kamisori blade was pretty rough from day one and I didn't try it beyond the second day just because it felt so rough. So, there is at least one blade that appears worse than the Dorco, and against its superior competition it's holding up well considering. I'm still not convinced that I would use it over the Kai or Feather, but it is still a workable and decent option. And, as has been mentioned, it might just be the "grail" blade for someone with a pain stick.

I have made the decision, once the move is made and everything is settled, to add a couple more pain sticks to my collection. Then I will have more of them to try blade with. While I can't think there would be much difference in performance it would be interesting to compare the razors with the blades as well. Yeah, another experiment added to the list. Let's see, I'll need a new CJB, the Sam Seong, the Kai, maybe a Feather SS straight style, a DX perhaps? Hmmmmmmmm..........need to get the boys sobered up and on the hunt!

 

My March focus has been to stabilize my technique and reduce variables after some skin issues around the 12th of the month. For 2 weeks this has been my daily process:

Shower and prep face with Nivea Face Wash for Sensitive Skin (white cap)
- Been showering with Duke Cannon Smells Like Naval Supremacy. And you know what? It does.
Pre shave oil
- Its been Maggards samples Lavender or Sandalwood
Lather up with Maggards London Barbershop (just love the scent; makes great foam)
Shave with Muhle R89 head on a Maggard handle, 3 passes
- Blades have been several brands, mostly because it seems that I can't get more than 2 or 3 shaves from ones that I had
--Personna Comfort Coated - blue box, white wrapper - 2 days, probably could've gone another day, great shave Day 1, OK Day 2, I'll leave it in longer next time
--Personna Red - 2 days, felt itchy after, didn't shave very close
--Merkur Stainless - 3 days, great the first day, felt like I was dragging a hacksaw across my face on the 3rd day, itchy later in the day
--Wilkinson Classic - 4 days, still going good, good shave today, we'll see what happens tomorrow
Alum block
Pacific Shaving Nick Stick if necessary
Post shave balm
- Usually Nivea White - scent is good and nondescript, doesn't collide with cologne, feels wonderful
- Dropped in Proraso Aloe and Vitamin E one day -like the scent, feels very comfortable, subtle burn, but generally feels very good
- Tried a sample of Musgo Real Classic aftershave balm - love the scent, nicely hydrating and comfortable, subtle burn when it goes on

This has been working very well. No issues with razor burn or anything else. But, today, I messed up again. I was out of my Maggard pre shave oil samples and decided to try, once again, a Proraso White - Green Tea and Oat. My notes from a previous try were that it was just OK, but no mention of any burning or discomfort. But, guess what, it has menthol. I put it on recognized that at once. I tried to wash it off, but it was too late. I shouldn't have, but I went ahead and shaved. Once again, I burned my face with menthol and then stupidly shaved anyway. Isn't that the definition of "crazy?" Trying something the same way over and over again and expecting a different result. But, it isn't as bad as the last time, but my face has been red and lightly burning pretty much all day after I shaved. It could be that the blending of menthol and the London Barbershop don't agree with my skin. But, when I don't use menthol I don't have any problems with Maggard London Barbershop or any other soap. Oh, well. Tomorrow is another day. Maybe skip a day and try again on Saturday.

 

I'll be shaving soon. I've been busy with my fiancee's new support dog all day and since I would have to move it off my pillow to go to bed Ill just stay up a little longer do an extra load of laundry, one of dishes, smoke a pipe and shave.

 

So on a scale of "shaving with a Russian straight razor" to "Axle Rose singing lead vocals for AC/DC" how bad do you think it will go?

 

Well I don't think we'd end up as bad as shaving with a Russian straight razor, though that was just more irritating and frustrating than really painful. If you don't count trying to remove the beard with friction burn.

 

This should do it.

 

03/25/2016
Wolfman OC with Hempel Ti
Feather (3)
Rudy Vey Rover with TGN Finest
Mystic Water Lavender
Witch Hazel
Fine Platinum
Whipped Shea Butter


​

This morning's shave was inspired by @RaZorBurn123. Kerry's shave report yesterday reminded me how much I like the scent of MW Lavender so I just had to use it this morning. The MW Lavender lather was super slick and the scent was fantastic. After 2 pass and minor touch ups, I ended up with the normal near BBS work morning shave. Finished up with a splash of Fine Platinum. I hope everyone has a fantastic Friday.

 

SOTD March 25, 2016
March focus shave 23

Prep: Warm shower
Blade: Personna med prep
Razor: Maggard MR1 with V2OC
Brush: Badger
Lather: Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Fine American blend, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, XTG, touch-up



Fat Friday! I came back to my open comb this morning after a few shaves with a G1 injector and a Super Speed. The open comb razor is perhaps my favorite, although the little injector is growing on me. Also using a new-to-me brush courtesy of a PIF by @Drygulch. Nice brush! Much softer and better quality than my other badger.

Mitchell's Wool Fat did not disappoint yet again. That is a fantastic soap - tons of lather, protective, slick, etc. I really enjoy it. This was my first use with a Personna Med Prep blade. I'll give it another go or two but first impressions seem that it is less smooth than the Lab Blues. YMMV of course. Lab blues have become my standard blade at the moment.

I wasn't as smooth on the first pass as I usually am so I had to add in a quick XTG pass. Now I'm pretty smooth and ready for the day.

Enjoy your Friday!

 

Great picture today.

 

Thank you!