March 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Razor: Supply Provision Custom 3 dot head
Blade: Chick
Brush: That Darn Rob silvertip
Soap: Stirling Gentleman
Post Care: Thayers Witch Hazel
Alum
Aftershave: Stirling Gentleman

Travel shave today and first use of the Stirling Gentleman, I really like this soap and AS. The usual Stirling easy lathering, slickness and protection with a wonderful scent. The water here is very soft, I'm used to Phoenix hard water but with just a little more load time there was plenty of soap. It was a great way to end the day. Have a great day folks!

 

You'll be the first 30DC film star. It's gonna be a DHS training film.

But still.

You rock!

 

March 11 (Saturday ). - Gem focus
Gem 1912 SE /. Gem PTFE ( 4)
Kent woodhandled boar brush
The Eternal Tub of TOBS Avocado Cream ( croap )
Alum and cold water

The Kent boar brush finally seems to be broken in well. It provided a good lather from The Eternal Tub for a second day in a row. The Tub itself looks like it has about three shaves left in it.

My shave was an uneventful DFS. Alum was quiet; I didn't bother with any postshave tonics or balms.

Using the Gem 1912 today, I felt the angle between the head and handle was almost too steep. I was fairly sure it had been bent by a previous owner.

I compared my 1912s to a couple others in my collection and then to the head angle on an EverReady 1914 and a few later models. (I need to check a reference to figure out exactly what models they all are -- they appear to be 1924s and one Gem Junior. None of the later pushbutton or tto models.) It looks like previous users had bent the backs of both razors slightly out of alignment, so the angle of the head was flatter on the EverReady and steeper on the Gem than as built, exaggerating both razors original tendencies. I carefully adjusted both back closer to their starting points. The angle on the Gem is still steeper than on the EverReady but no longer to such a marked degree. This appears to have been a weakpoint on the 1912 design -- the sheetmetal back is bent at the bottom to place a screwhole for the handle and at that attachment point it buckles too easily under pressure and changes the shaving angle. The 1914 EverReady has a slightly thicker and curved, braced backplate that is much more resistant to pressure, and the later models fitted the head directly to the handle, omitting the structurally weak lathercatcher entirely.

I suspect I will find both 1912s will feel more maneuverable with their head angles corrected. I am also going to add the EverReady 1914 and a later fliptop 1924 to my focus group and see how they perform.

 

March 12, 2017​

Cobra Classic​

Feather Pro (1)​

Shavemac ATG LE D01 2 Band​

Reef Point Dragon’s Blood​

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The start of a new week brings some new items to the mix. Since I have described the soap before I will move onto the razor which is the Cobra Classic. The Cobra uses Artist Club blades like the Mongoose and AlumiGoose razors. I find the Cobra to be more aggressive and more efficient than the Mongoose. With a Feather Pro it shaves closer than the Mongoose with a Feather Super. The stylized handle gave me issues with grip in the beginning but now I really don't notice the handle as much. The Cobra Classic razors were always a limited production item but it has been a long time since any have been made. That is really a shame as the razor is a great shaver and looks so good as well.

The brush for the week will be the Shavemac ATG LE D01 2 Band Flat Top. The finished loft on this brush is 26mm x 50mm. This is my first experience with a Shavemac D01 2 Band Silvertip. I have read reports of a lot of scritch and scratch with the D01 2-band so I was pleasantly surprised with the softness of the tips. I pick up very little scritch when lathering in a circular motion that disappears when using a painting motion. Overall this knot has softer tips than my D01-3 band with over 50 uses. This brush has tremendous density and backbone. I have read where some describe the backbone and density as a velvet covered brick. mark @Boojum1 posted a pic of his brush holding up a full container of MdC soap which provided a visual reference to the amount of backbone. Maye he will post it up in this thread as well. I’ll update my impressions throughout the week as I get more experience with the brush.

Onto the shave. After a soaking the brush while I showered, I squeezed out all of the water and loaded the soap. With this much backbone and density, loading was easy. However, this brush eats soap. Face lathering gives the impression of a very firm wall of badger. I have not used another brush with this level of backbone. Thank goodness the tips are soft with only a touch of scritch when used in a circular motion. I went with a 2 pass shave, XTG & ATG which ended on so close to a BBS. Since I had the time and more than enough lather in the brush, I chased the little guy. Skin stretching and buffing on my neck and normal trouble spots brought the baby home. Overall an A+ smooth irritation free shave. A splash of Floid blue and I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

 

Razor: Trac II
Blade: Col. Conk Trac II (2)
Brush: Brass handle w/ Black Badger?
Soap: Captain's Choice Sandalwood
Aftershave: Captain's Choice Sandalwood
Very nice close shave.

 

Excellent report and review Clint.

 

This is definitely my best performing razor right now. Which means I am stropping correctly
SOTD
Route 66 Sweeney Todd Soap
B-400 Brush by Tom
Portland Razor Company Siren
Lucky Tiger
Chiseled Face Ghost Town Barber AS
Have a blessed Sunday!

 

Day 18 of 30 days of straights

I am continuing to use my Henckel 6/8 Round Toe. I decided to hold off on the 7/8 square toe until at least a few days. I am thinking that switching blades every day doesn't allow me to really get my technique down because there are changes every day.

I received a sample packet of St. James pre-shave oil. Frankly, I see little if any difference between it and my DIY pre-shave oil.

Another round with ABC. I face lathered this again today and got a very slick lather. I do like that the almond scent is very strong.

I am getting better at my technique, having only 2 small patches where it is not as smooth as it could be. I still seem to get at least one weeper every day and haven't figured out what is causing it. Overall, I had a DFS.

St. James Pre-shave Oil
ABC
30mm High Mountain White set an extra 10mm deep
3 passes, WTG, XTG, XTG
Penhaglion Bayolea shave cream soothing gel
6/8 Round Toe Henckel 17 1/2

 

Thank you Doug. It is difficult for me to describe the D01 2-band. I just haven't used anything quite like it which makes comparisons even harder for me.

 

Just a beautiful picture, Clint! I really like the brush.

 

Great picture, Brian. I like how the razor and AS stand out so well.

 

Your brush is great, Ben.

 

Wonderful picture, Mark! Your brush looks wonderful, a lot like Clint's.

 

March 12 SOTD:

Omega Boar Brush
Razorock Don Donato SS
Robeson ShurEdge
Stirling Unscented PSB
Florida Water AS

My straight skills definitely aren't quite what they used to be, but I can still get a DFS. Not as easily as I used to, but two passes with a little clean up. A straight shave is definitely satisfying. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Thank you Jim. Against The Grain forum had a Shavemac LE brush group buy. Members picked one 4 different handle choices and paired it with their choice of 1 of a select group of knots. Mark and I both picked one of the more popular handle choices with the least popular Flat Top knot.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The trac II seems to be working for you. The set definitely photographs well!

 

Great lineup Doug. Are you planning to replace the knot in the brush?

 

Great setup Jim. Love the colorful photo.

 

Thank you, Clint!

 

Thank you!