May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

Happy belated! I hope you and your bride had a lovely day!

 

Late post for Saturday and plan for Sunday

30 Day Rule with a Schick!



Saturday was another easy shave (day 5 on the blade)! No degradation yet and looking forward to a great shave tonight. Lots of good stuff on here yesterday!

Have a great Sunday!
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An update on this mornings shave. Since I had the time, I decided to go with a full three pass shave. It has to be one of the closest shaves I have ever had. But several hours, my face still has a tingly sensation. The Super Pro blade in the Mongoose, might be too much blade for me to do 3 full passes on a daily basis. I'll need to remember to only try this once in a while.

 

MAYhem & Mercy
May 17, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Vie Long Horse 12705
Soap - Tabac
Razor - RazoRock TTO
Blade - (1)
Post - Alum, Proraso

It's Sunday, I have some new products ready to go, so I'm going to take a one day break from my focus and try them out!!!

Finally got the Vie Long 12705 smelling like something other than a wet horse, and maybe a dead one at that. A couple of days in Proraso and a couple more in Arko and it seemed all fumigated. Until I got it wet then a bit of the funk returned, but hey, let's play that funky horsey till we die (pause for groan, proceed when safe).

Also got some Tabac in this week and really like the smell in the bowl. Nothing funky about it. Great scent.

Have my RazoRock TTO that I got a couple of weeks ago and have used a few times. Love the razor, could become my favorite, already is my favorite modern one. Look out vintage!

Have a Sharp Star blade from my absolute favorite blade manufacturer in the world, Mostochlegmash in Moscow, Russian Federation. Or, as they say, the Glorious Motherland comrades!! (pause for military parade)

Let's put them all together, shall we?

Having never used a horse brush or Tabac I knew I was taking a bit of a chance in destroying any chance of a decent lather but I started slow and worked up a very nice lather. Not as thick as Arko but definitely slick and cushiony enough to work with. The feel of the horse on my face was awesome. The 12705 is 35% main, 65% tail which provided what I was hoping for....a soft feel with a scritch underneath. Almost had to pause for a tear of joy to run down. The RR TTO with the Sharp Star, well, I did pause to shed a tear of joy. My oh my what a great shave. Smooth yet a bit aggressive feeling, the Tabac was marvelous and each pass was a joy to use the brush. (SWMBO asked what I was blubbering about through the door...I was too emotional to answer.....she declared me out of my *^&*$((* mind and left me to my nirvana.

Three passes and one very minor touch up later I was rocking the baby. Alum was silent on my face, only the slightest hint of burn on my neck where I normally Gillette Slide to finish (guess it would be a Rock slide with this razor.....pause to groan if needed). Splashed on the Proraso after shave and sent up a promise to the shaving gods....never again will I allow Williams to touch my face. I think I'll burn what's left of that after coating it with the Veg to send up a pleasing aroma as an offering.

Hope you all had a glorious shave of your own today! Back to the Mercy phase tomorrow.

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I do too, I'm not sure why I started bowl lathering several months ago. Back to what works!

 

Brush Focus: Day 17/30
Brush: Fendrihan Classic Silvertip Shaving Brush, Faux Horn Handle, 22/49
Gillette Super Speed, Red Tip (1955- A-3)
Gillette Platinum Blade (3)
Bowl: KO Shave
Soap: Jack's Soap
A/S: Clubman Jeris Osage Rub Toner
Old Spice Coffee Mug.(soak brush)
Another great brush. The 49mm is the key to a good Silvertip brush, anything more and it gets floppy (IMO-YMMV) This brush works perfectly for me. I soak the brush, shake it out and start mixing in the bowl. The remaining water in the mug from soaking is the water I use to build a thick rich lather. It probably takes a least a minute so to start to see the results in the bowl. Dip the brush a few time in water and it all comes together. The last few day have been outstanding 3 pass shaves with no need for a clean up. I will skip the Whipped Dog Silvertip with the marble handle as it just doesn't cut it anymore. Nothing personal, Larry suggest deep setting Silvertips, yet his handles are only 10mm, and the Silvertip I bought from Whipped Dog is not deep set and very floppy. IMHO.

 

I like bowl lathering myself. Whatever works I guess. Perhaps you should post your method of face lathering.

 

I tried bowl lathering a several times but I just find it easier and quicker to face lather. Plus it's one less thing to clean up in the morning.

 

So I've strategically put off several shaves in anticipation from the arrival of my new razor from @gssixgun tomorrow! Also just sent out the payment for my custom strop from @Drygulch so I can't wait to use a traditional strop as well as have a piece that represents my appreciation for this forum. Hope everybody had a great Sunday it sounds like everybody is moving along nicely with their focus.

 

Looking forward to your shaving report on the new razor.

 

May 17

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Weber PH
Feather blade (day 1)
Rudy Vey Shavemac two-band silvertip
Le Père Lucien shave soap
Two passes plus touch-ups
Alum, Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, and unrefined shea butter

I had a great early morning shave before my Bride and I set out for the day. We heard a dear friend of ours preach at his new church, and the we went on an adventure.

I hope you had a blessed Sunday!

 

May 2015 ... continuation of 30 day blade focus that started in april

posting during may hasn't been my strength ... doin' some major catchup here

pre: dr.bronner's, PSO(diy)
brush: EJ best badger medium
lather: proraso green soap
razor: EJ89lbl
blade:
post: alum block, thayer's witch hazel (various flavors)

05/07/15 ... 7o'clock sharpedge (1) ... ahhhh, after experiencing treet, sharp, dorco, supermax, it was nice to get back to a nice sharp blade. i had no irritation or blood from the sharpedge. there also was no tugging or pulling. however, i did notice that under my chin, there was more than average leftover after the first and second passes ... enough that i felt the need to do a third mini-pass under the chin.
05/08/15 ... 7o'clock sharpedge (2) ... both days, i noticed a much sharper blade than some of the other recent makes and models. the under-the-chin area was the same for the second shave on this blade, though. it seems odd that it would be sharp every but there. perhaps my technique is a bit slacking, or perhaps i'm subconsciously compensating by using less pressure because i think the blade is sharper.

sharpedge summary ... nice shaves, no irritation, but under the chin for some reason needs more attention. i'll shelve this one for the finals but will keep note for a revisit.

05/11/15 ... israeli reds (1) ... i really liked and like this blade. during the shave, i could tell that it was both sharp and smooth for me. however, about 15 minutes or so after i was all wrapped-up, i noticed red splotches on both sides of my lower, center neck. i had a similar look with the dorco st-301 blade. perhaps there is some type of coating that both use that doesn't completely agree with my skin. i felt no irritation at all. again, it was just a visible thing.
05/13/15 ... israeli reds (2) ... hmm, same thing as two days ago ... a really nice, enjoyable, smooth, and sharp shave. little to no feedback from the alum bar ... just the redness (no blood - more like a rash) on the lower, center neck for a couple of hours after the shave.

israeli reds summary ... i know why it seems that so many people like these blades. except for the redness, i'd say they would be #1 for me. i will definitely revisit them. because of the redness, though, they drop from the finals.

05/15/15 ... lab blues (1) ... during the shave i was impressed with the blade. it was sharp and smooth. maybe it was too sharp ... or too sharp for my current technique level anyway. i ended up with three scrapes/weepers just under the nose and one right on the very corner of the chin.
05/17/15 ... lab blues (2) ... once again, i was impressed during the shave. however, i ended up with a weeper just above the upper lip and one on the lower neck.

lab blues summary ... after a few hours, i was thinking that this was probably my closest shave with just two passes. if only the nicks didn't happen. they didn't last on either day past the first cold rinse. while it could be just the single blade, at this point i'm going to chalk it up to a sharper blade and my technique that still needs some work. i will definitely revisit the personna lab blues.

April ... wilkinson, 7am, voskhod, astraSP, treetdurasharp, crystal, supermax platinum, dorco st301,
May ... sharp durablade, Gillette 7o'clock SharpEdge (yellow), personna israeli reds, personna lab blues

the remainder of the month will be used for the finals ... astraSP, crystal, voskhod, wilkinson sword

 

Israeli Reds and the Dorco 301 are both platinum blades so you may indeed be reacting to that. I can have the same thing with Platinum but it isn't every platinum blade. For instance, the Gillette Platinums from St. Petersburg.....nope. Uncomfortable and creates the same kind of reaction you're describing. The Gillette black from India platinum? No problem at all. I am also great with Rapira Platinum Lux. One of my favorites with no reaction. It depends, I believe, in where they are produced as to how they coat them or how much coating or maybe even a reaction with a specific cleaning agent etc. It's also possible that you are getting more irritation than you realize, though if you use alum you should feel that.

I see Voskhod in the finals! Still my favorite but I'm going to be doing a tournament of blades soon to try and line my favorites up in order. I've enjoyed reading your posts!

 

It;s been eight days with the Personna Red (Israeli), and I can definitely see why so many people like this blade. While it doesn't "seem" quite as smooth as the ptfe coated blades, like the Voskhod, it certainly does perform well, and for a significant time, for me. It will be fun to try this in the Black Beauty, for the next round with the top ten try a blade pack.

 

I dampen the Plisson, then swirl it like 25-30 times in the Proraso tub. I then add a little water into the brush and start lathering on a wet face, adding small amounts of water incrementally to the brush as needed. This is actually the basic instructions provided by Plisson in their product literature.

The only time I have really enjoyed bowl lather is with Arko and VDH Luxury. To bowl lather an Arko stick, I first cut 4-5 thin "coins" from the shave stick and line the bottom of the bowl. I then add a little bloom water and go to town with an Omega 48. Same for VDH, IMHO one of the most pleasantly scented shave soaps out there. Either soap yields absurd amounts of lather via the 48. The biggest reason I abandoned the bowl is two-fold, travel and minimalism. Once I learned face lathering was adequate, I saw no need to have a bowl occupying space on the counter or the Dopp bag.

The whole individual routine aspect of shaving is pretty cool. We, in all likelihood, each have a unique routine. What I like about these group discussions is that it helps me to judge the effectiveness of a product or technique before I try it. My shave routine is a mashup of things I learned on TSD and things I learned by trial and error. Having TSD around definitely cut my learning curve and accelerated my enjoyment. 30 Day Rules allowed my technique to solidify, even though it was boring at first. Now I do a new rule/focus each month, practicing tecnique and having fun right here on TSD.

 

Voskhod and GSB are still my faves...I also seemingly get irritation from many platinum coatings.

 

Well, I caved yesterday. It's my busiest day (I'm a Pastor) and so went back to my old trusty Merkur Futur. Having used a SR for a week the Futur was a joy to use. No hand and arm gymnastics needed and all angles covered. It was one BBS shave. I use Feather blades and Poraso sensitive pre-shave, Bond of Taylors Sandalwood soap a shaving-shack badger brush, and Trumper's Sandalwood skin food for after.

I've always lathered on my face after Mantic99's comments that it helps lifts bristles and soften the beard. It works well.

I'm not enjoying the shaving soap as much as the shaving cream from Bond's, simply because the soap is much more work and if it wasn't for the suckered holder that holds the bowl would require two hands to lather. Today also, I'm going to use the Futur and then it'll be back to the SR!

 

05/18/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (6)
Brush – Rubberset 400 unmarked with Omega Boar
Lather – Soap Commander Passion
Post - Witch Hazel and Captain’s Choice Bay Rum



Fantastic near BBS 2 pass shave this morning. It been awhile since I used SC Passion. I really like the performance of the soap and the scent. Paired it with CC Bay Rum.

 

May 18

Oatmeal soap
Weber PH
Feather blade (day 2)
Kent BK4 silvertip
Le Père Lucien shave soap
Two passes
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel and unrefined shea butter

I had a wonderful early morning shave before my Bride and I set out for some fun today in the Great Smoky Mountains.

Have a great week.

 

May 18th , SOTD (Shave 10 of this focus)
One and a half days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Dubl Duck Satin Wedge spike point 5/8 (Obnoxious Orange Plastic Scales)
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel Horsehide and Linen 20/50 laps
Soap: Barrister & Mann's Lime, Lavender, & Ceaderwood
Brush: Hand turned Tulip Wood with TGN Badger
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Aubrey Men’s Stock North Woods

Wanted to use the Dubl Duck again today, to compare with the W&B I used Saturday night. This blade shaves well, but doesn’t feel quite as keen as the W&B. I don’t seem to get quite as “clean” feeling and have a little more stubble. I limited myself to two passes today, since all of my cuts seem to come from the third pass. Managed a CCS, almost a DFS on two passes. Very little alum bite, and almost nothing with the aftershave. I am learning that some of the grain on my neck doesn’t run the way I thought it did. I think I am going to keep trying to use the two pass only, and focus on making each pass more efficient, rather than running more passes.
Good discussion on lathering. I think my lathering is a combo of bowl and face lathering. I like using a bowl for building the lather, but I really work the lather into my face, and build it a bit more when applying it to my face. I personally just have more fun using the bowl, but can get a great lather with face lathering as well. I think for next month, I am going to stick with one brush again to really get to know it.