May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

05/19/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (7)
Brush – Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – B&M Latha
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Blue Sample



Fantastic 2 pass BBS shave. The blade seems to have smoothed out over the past week. It's not quite as harsh. The Latha soap performance is great. At least the scent disappears by the time I'm finished lathering. Finished off with a splash of Myrsol Blue from my sample pack.

 

Job of the bible. Was long suffering and patient with God. See Book of job in ot for complete story. Mentioned in James 5:11 nt.

 

Keep at it. It will come. On the jaw line with de, I have to buff atg to get BBS. Short, quick strokes not lifting the razor from my face. Others may come in on this practice.

 

5/19/15

Loaded the Omega 6214 silvertip a touch longer today - maybe 10 seconds - and had a really good face lather. Enjoyed today's shave. The results are good. I do find my brain to be interesting in that when I have a while to ponder what I am doing with either of my badger brushes. Yesterday, after a nice scalp lather, I was ready to declare the TGN finest to be a better brush. Today, I think the 6214 did an outstanding job, easily as good as the TGN. FWIW, I'm not sure I can tell any difference in softness between the two and both are doing a great job.

 

May 19 - shave number 10
I'm in the road for business and would normally not bring all my shave toys with me, but since I'm really putting the effort into learning the straight, I did!
Prep: hot shower
Preshave: AoS lavender preshave oil
Razor: whipped dog
DE: Gillette TT
Blade: sword (3)
Brush: Parker travel badger
Cream: AoS lavender cream
Bowl: some random soap dish in the nylo hotel.
Post: alum, AoS post shave balm lavender
Passes: 3 with straight wtg xtg wtg. 1 atg with de.
Growth: 1 day

In Plano for business training until Thursday evening and need to look cleaned up today. Since I don't sleep well in hotels, I woke up at 3:30am and had a nice long shower and prep. I think this shave took me more than an hour because I was in no rush today.

Straight wtg was a nice smooth pass. Since bringing in the goatee, I'm transitioning the bottom of the wtg pass to a xtg to cut into the edge of the goatee. Xtg grain was OK, not as close as I wanted but was using very light pressure on purpose. The last time I cleaned up atg with de I felt I shaved too close and face pretty fiery for the rest of the day. I may have chased it a bit today but the alum told me it was not that bad. Splash the cold water on, alum rub, and a little AoS post shave balm and I was ready for the day.

I have to resist the temptation to buy yet another straight razor, but my goodness, some are such beautiful tools... Glen received my gemstar custom and should be back in business with it next week.
Cheers gents.

 

I find xtg is the hardest for me I just feel really awkward holding the razor. Seems like your progressing a lot faster than you initally had thought if I remember correctly

 

I'll say that by listening to the brain trust and using the 8 color crayons rather than the 64 pack, I'm dialing in the few things I'm learning. Xtg is a bit weird when I grab my ear to stretch the skin but on my neck, I think I'm actually going atg. True xtg on my neck I'm not ready for yet!

 

Day#18 of the 30-Day Focus
..and Day#5 of 7 with the Böhler Stahl Straight Razor.

A temptation ANY and every SR user must learn to deal with! One of the real benefits of the "30-Day Focus" is I'm compelled to limit my selection and really focus on a particular straight razor for seven consecutive days. Prior to this month, I rarely used the same razor on consecutive days. What has become apparent to me those past 18 days (3 razors) is the subtle differences that exist between each of the three SRs I've been using. When I'm using a dozen or more razors monthly, I rarely get the opportunity to recognize these variations.

A chilly menthol shave this morning as I traded out the MdC for the JoAnna's frosty 'Iced Woodshed' shave stick from the TSD store. Super slick and easy-to-make 'woodsy' lather. No blood resulted from this morning's efforts (unlike yesterday).
Stropped 35 linen/65 horsehide. Three passes plus touch up. Post-shave, I usually strop 15-20 on leather to ensure a dry edge.

 

Blade Focus Day 19:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Stirling Barber Shop
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Nacet Platinum
Stirling Unscented PSB
Barbasol Brisk AS

Day 4 on the Nacet by mistake. I meant to change but, due to the hours I am working, I was honestly too tired and forgot. The shave was consistent with the past couple of days.

If I ranked my top 3 so far it would be: (1) Gillette Nacet, (2) Bluebird (discontinued), and (3) Feather.

 

Just how many razors do you own? I thought I was doing well with three but am beginning to feel a little under dressed in this forum!

 

I remember telling my wife that I couldn't see any reason to have more than three razors. I now have around 15 DEs, 3 shavettes, 3 shaveable straights, and another 4 straights that need some work. I also have another one on the way. Its kind of fun, and kind of crazy at the same time.

 

More than I need! I have sold off most of my DE razors (a dozen or so gone!) and they've been replaced by straight razors. I keep 15 shave-ready SRs in my drawer. These are my current regulars that go into the regular morning or evening rotation. Out in the workshop I've another 30-35 razors in various state of restoration or in need of honing. Most will eventually be sold or given away, but there may be a few keepers in the lot.

 

Why no DE's?

 

I still have a few on hand- a couple of muhle r41s, vintage FH tech, and two others. I use SRs almost exclusively now but will occasionally break out a DE.

 

We need a heads up before stuff goes on sale....I need to be ready!

 

I second that. Kevin's restoration and repair work is first rate and beautiful.

 

I am spending 2015 thinning down the inventory from my "initial exuberance" DE/Injector RAD

What are the scent notes in Iced Woodshed? Pine?

 

+1 for dedication. Way to stay with it!

 

JoAnna's description for Woodshed— 'Caraway, Tea Tree, Anise, Rosemary, Clove, Cedar and Leather' which on the surface is quite a diverse amalgamation, but to my nose, I get a slightly spice, herbal cedar scent. Very pleasing and 'fresh.'

 

Very nice! I enjoy stuff like that. The soap is going on my future purchase list.