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

Another great night of shaving! I tried a new soap, Van der Hagen, I liked the scent and it lathered and protected well. I have only used Arko until today which lathers if you look at it so I was unsure what to expect but I was pleased with it.
PSO- Peppermint homemade
Razor- Gillette Flare Tip
Blade- Astra SP (2)
Brush- Omega synthetic
Soap- VDH puck
ASB- Nivea men cooling
I went WTG, WTG and ATG tonight, first time in 5 days going ATG but I was happy with the results. Very little irritation but definitely more than a XTG third pass. I did end up with a smoother shave but I felt a little sharpness from the alum tonight. I hope you all have a wonderful evening!

 

Welcome to the 30 day crew! Glad you could join us!

 

3/1/16

Gillette Birth Quarter Tech
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Mitchell's Wool Fat
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Pinaud Clubman Original



Shaved this morning, but once again late to the board. First on the court of my Birth Quarter Tech is the Rapira Super Stainless with slickness provided by the Fat.
Nice first pass with the sweet sound of the blade slicing through whiskers. I was surprised when I rinsed that the reduction wasn't as good as I expected. Second pass and a small amount of touch up with the lather already on my face left me with a DFS. Did a cool water rinse and began pursuing the baby. After a more than average effort, I decided I was just not going to be able to capture it today, so I put down the razor. The Clubman was surprisingly mild, and I was happy with the result: a comfortable surprise BBS from the Rapira Super Stainless in my birth quarter Tech. And the nicest part of all - it was a long lasting BBS too.

I hope everyone had a nice Tuesday.

 

VDH makes both Deluxe & Luxury. By the white color of your puck, that must be Luxury. Having both in my pile of soaps ( SAD is Fun!) I'm going to revisit them. While being very similar in ingredients, the Lux also has Mango & Cocoa butter. It might taste better on ice cream? Glad it works for you, I like it, too.

 

As much as I enjoy using my 5/8 round point WD, this 6/8+ blade gives a more comfortable shave. I love a good $14 straight, especially when it's near shave ready from the flea market. The wider blade and added weight fit my admittedly large face better than a smaller blade. I was concerned about the square point (still am) after switching from a shavette (blood thirsty wench), but it's treated me well. Still working on my ATG stroke, but that's the crutch's shoes my Fay Boy fills.

 

Correct Genco decision! That'd be a crime to sell or PIF.

 

@aelfred.t.allspa

Welcome to the 30 day thread and good luck with that SE!

 

Day 61 - 90 Day intro to SR
1 March 2016

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Today's shave was a 30 Day Crew Special courtesy of our man on the scene in Baldwin City-- @Drygulch. Adam sent this nifty little blade across the prairie for my collection, and also some Jabonman Ylang Ylang for my shaving enjoyment. I must say that he has most excellent taste in soap. This blade is a true Spike point, unmuted and out there like waiting on you like five miles of bad road. He warned me of the perils, and I was sure to be careful setting the blade down to shave. I took my time, did some @Norcalnewb Baseball Pattern Shaving (NBPS) for two easy and comfortable passes resulting in a totally comfortable and blood free close shave. The plan is to use this exact setup until his soap sample disappears. The plan for the months after that is the three straights, a not-so-secret mystery weapon in the middle, and Route 66 as the soap for the month. Lots of new faces, that's always a blessing. Welcome to all the new members and good luck! I hope you have as much fun learning as I did! If anybody who is brand new needs help with their shaves, I am pretty good with everything but old SE razors, and would love to answer any technique questions you may have. The others here know plenty about SE, and rest assured, they'd love to help too!​

Welcome to March! Let's make it BIG!



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So nice to see that the Flare Tip treated you right! The Alum is telling you info about angle and/or pressure. It's the best gauge there is! Nice work.

 

Today was my first Sheffield shave. I am starting to understand your comments finally about blade weight and size. It felt really different than the other two I've been using.

 

It was the luxury. The little bit I tasted wasn't necessarily bad but I wouldn't top it with chocolate syrup ymmv

 

Down the rabbit hole you go. How big is the Sheffield? Is it a full hollow?

 

I believe it to be 5or6/8 full Spike Point. The point made me consider my movements more deliberately. What I've observed about the Aust is the feedback and the glide. The round point of the Aust allows for quick shaves, but its weight requires a little hand pressure. The WD is more silent, and smiles a bit, and is slightly pointed.

 

The Luxury is really nice soap, the scent screams barber shop sandalwood, but in a good way.

Huge Arko fan here.

 

I'm in for a 30-day focus. I might try a 30-day rule another time, but for now, I'm enjoying rotating through my soaps too much to limit myself to one soap for 30 days.

For my 30-day focus, I'll be using my 1959 Gillette Ball Tech, Feather blades, and my synthetic brush.

 

Welcome aboard the March Focus! Most guys here just do a focus. Thanks for joining in!

 

Thanks, Chris! And thanks for starting the thread to get us on board to start our rule (or focus).

 

That's a nice $14 razor! The antique shops and flea markets here never seem to have anything like that. I like the look of your razor, though.

 

03/02/2016
Wolfman OC with Triad SS
Feather (1)
Shavemac Silvertip D01
Jabonman Citricos
Witch Hazel
Folsom & Co Shambala
Whipped Shea Butter


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I really enjoyed this morning's shave. The Citricos whipped up a very nice lather effortlessly and the scent is great. Since I had a fresh blade, I changed things up and went with a 2 pass shave, XTG and ATG. Not quite as efficient as the Mongoose but that could be the difference between a DE blade and a SE Blade. After minor touch ups, I ended with a near BBS. Finished with a splash of F&C Shambala. I hope everyone has a great Wednesday.

 

Straights Focus March 2:

VDH Boar Brush
La Cigale SS
Henry Sears and Son Queen 3/4
Stirling Unscented PSB
Aqua Velva Musk

A very similar shave to yesterday: a one pass CCS. I am really enjoying this razor. I am off to work for this fine Wednesday. Hope everyone has a great day.