May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

May 22nd , SOTD (Shave 12 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: W.B. Speed Rabbit marked, square point 9/16, with black plastic scales
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel Horsehide and Linen (only stropped after shave)
Soap: Barrister & Mann's Fireside (Brandy scented)
Brush: 24mm Finest Badger in Quilted Walnut handle
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman

New to me razor and new brush this morning. Did my N/S pass, then a S/N pass, and covered WTG, XTG, and ATG on my chin. Did some touch up on my neck. Overall, DFS, but 95% of my face and neck are BBS. Did get some razor burn, and a few weepers where I went over my neck too much. Got the best shave I have gotten on my chin in quite a while. The alum did have some bite today, and the aftershave as well.
Brush was great. Had soaked and lathered it once already, to help get rid of the new brush funk. This beast holds a lot of lather. Did three passes, but had enough lather to do at least 3 more. Very soft brush, did a great job bowl lathering, then working the lather into my face. I really like the woodwork on this one. I am looking forward to getting to know this brush better.
I haven’t done a good job on staying with my focus of one razor this month. This is the fourth one I have used. Apparently, my newest AD is kicking in pretty well. For next month, I will be trying to use each of my razors for 3-4 shaves in a row, to try and get to know them a little better.

 

05/22/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (10)
Brush – Rudy Vey with TGN Finest
Lather – Mystic Water Lime
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Limon Sample



Very good 2 pass shave this morning. Should have been better but maybe I drank too much coffee before shaving. This was my first time using Mystic Water shaving soap. I was able to get a good lather and I'm sure it will improve as I get the soap/water ratio dialed in. The scent was out of the world. A very tart lime with no hint of sweetness. The Myrsol Limon from the sample pack complimented the scent of the soap very nicely. Have a great Friday and a fantastic weekend.

 

MAYhem & Mercy
May 22, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - VDH Boar
Soap - Proraso Green
Razor - EJ DE89L
Blade - (1)
Post - Alum, Nivea Balm

The Sharp takes center stage again in the Mercy configuration. So far all of the blades have passed, even the miserable Baili, even if by the narrowest margin. The Sharp...........continues the trend. This blade is still on the dull side but in the EJ it actually performed very well. Three full passes and I had a DFS. Can't really complain about that. As with all of these blades it takes extra work to get there but it can be done and, in a good razor, can be done fairly comfortably in this case. I have no plans to order any of these but given their reputation I'm happy to say they aren't the worst blade I've tried.

Speaking of the worst blade, it's back on the menu tomorrow. The Diving Duck....I mean Flying Eagle is up for the EJ tomorrow since the Sharp did so well today. I'll be meditating the rest of today to try and calm my fears knowing what's approaching! Have a good Friday.

 

Blade Focus Day 22:

Homemade PS Oil
WD High Mountain Badger 30 mm
Stirling Cocoa Forest
Ralf Aust 5/8
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Derby Super Stainless
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Vanilla AS

Great shave today as I went into work late and got to use a straight for the first time in over a month. I also shaved with my little boy, so it was extra-special. Nice DFS this morning. I finished up with the DE and Derby blade, so I am still going to count it as part of my focus.

 

Here are my brushes I am focusing on. Left is an Omega silvertip, right is a TGN finest. Both are quickly becoming favorites (can you have 5 favorite brushes?) and I am really enjoying face lathering with them. Soak for less than a minute, shake em out and load them up and get after it. Always plenty of slick creamy lather that is sufficient for more than 2 passes, even though I only make 2 passes 90% of the time. Did I mention that I might be a badger/horse/synthetic/boar convert?

 

Yes you can have many favorite brushes. The thing I like about badger brushes is how different they can be and the variety they offer.

 

Day#21 of the 30-Day Focus
..and Day#1 of 7 with the J. A. Henckels Zwillingswerk #472 'Friodur' Straight Razor.

Day One using the largest straight razor this month (nearly 7/8" blade width), the 'Friodur' razors ('major cold')—cryo-treated, high-carbon 'no stain' steel, have a reputation for taking and holding a good edge. This razor was fresh off the hones, finished with the Apache Strata natural stone (est. 10-12k).
Today's shave was probably one of BEST SR shaves I've ever had! What made this one different? I've talked the past few weeks on the smoothness of the feel of the previous razors (Böhler, Otto Deutsch, Böker) on the face.
The Friodur just raised the bar! Imagine if you were shaving with an SR that was completely blunt (not unlike actors who pretend shaving onscreen). No tugging, no nicks, no irritation—the blade simply glides across the lathered face. Of course you wouldn't be actually removing hairs with that blade! This is the closest I've come to that feeling using this big Friodur razor—although the constant sound of whiskers being removed was evidence of a VERY sharp edge. So smooth! I completed three passes and decided to relather for some 'touch-up' just for kicks. Results? A true BBS shave with no irritation.
This should be fun week!

 

I think I need one now

 

Straight Razor RAD seems to be a much harder one than DEs. Its like DE RAD is the Gateway AD, then you get SAD, BAD, ASAD, and a harder version of RAD.

I've had enough 12 step programs. I'm gonna roll with this one.

 

Brush Focus: Day 22/30
Brush: Frank Shave, Beechwood, Best Badger- 22/55
Gillette SS, K-4 (1965) Slim Adjustable. (5).
Gillette Platinum Blade (1)
Soap: Arko.
A/S: Clubman Lime
Old Spice Coffee Mug.(soak brush)

The brush didn't seem to work all that well with the Arko soap, however, I am not used to applying soap sticks. Probably my error. I do like this brush. It did loose a few hairs today which may have been my unfamiliarity with this soap water mix. The Gillette Slim Adjustable I like. I'll stay with the Arko for a few days and a couple of brushes to see if I can work out the right combination. I don't seem to be very good at focusing my camera. Maybe I should use my reading glasses.

 

DE RAD was like caffeine but straights RAD is like crack

 

How do you like this brush. I have a Finest Badger and I really like it. Nice picture also.

 

Thank you. I really like the brush. It has great backbone and very little scratch. I only wish it was a little larger.

 

as far as addiction level, or cost????

 

Today is day three with the Astra SP. I used the same Body Shop Maca Root cream, fat handle tech, and Wilinson Sword Boar Brush, bowl lathering. The result is another amazing BBS shave. It is no wonder that these blades I have gotten in the Try A Blade top ten pack are so good. It will be hard to pick the best for a bulk buy...... okay..... who a I kidding a few bulk buys....

 

Yes.

 

MAYhem & Mercy
May 23, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Arko
Razor - EJ DE89L
Blade - (1)
Post - Alum, Nivea Balm

The final blade. The blade that failed so miserably in MAYhem that it didn't even get a full shave. From either razor. Not even sure you could call it a blade then. So, let's load it in the EJ and see if it improves like all its brethren in Mercy phase. I lathered up with the Arko so we know I had a great, slick, cushiony base to work on. Lined it up, made a stroke..........and...........wait for it..........a little more..........oh who am I kidding. This thing wouldn't cut butter if it was heated and the butter was warm. The feel of the blade skipping over my face was just obnoxious. Pull, tug, drag, pull, is it cutting? Can't tell, pull, tug, drag. Sheesh. That was one stroke. Felt the path. Still as rough as when I started. Flipped it around and tried another stroke. Yeah, same thing. Put it in the RazoRock and found that only made it seem worse from the extra blade exposure. Nope, done. Finito. I know it's a carbon blade and I know they can feel rougher than stainless but every other carbon blade I've used was pretty good at cutting. This one is just a hopless dull piece of metal. Put the Sharp Star in the RazoRock and finished with a great near BBS.

The Flying Eagle. It takes skill and effort to make a blade that bad!

Thus concludes MAYhem and Mercy! I'm a week early since I changed the terms for Mercy. Four out of five blades passed Mercy, three of five MAYhem. I'll put together some final thoughts and post them later tonight. Work calls! Enjoy your Saturday.

 

05/23/2015
Razor – GEM FeatherWeight
Blade – GEM Stainless PTFE (6)
Brush – Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – Mystic Water Lavender
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Agua Balsamica Sample

May we all take time this weekend to contemplate and honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Thank you to all that have served and those that are now serving.



Decided to take the holiday weekend off from the May Focus to use some of my vintage SE razors. Fantastic, 3 pass shave this morning. I really like the GEM FW. The Mystic Water Soap is a little finicky but with a little work I was rewarded with a great slick lather. The lavender scent was exceptional and paired well with the Myrsol Balsamica.

 

Blade Focus Day 23:

Homemade PS Oil
Vie-long Horsehair Brush
Cella
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Derby Super Stainless
Stirling Unscented PSB
Proraso AS

Since I used a straight for my first pass yesterday, I pushed the Derby to four days. All in all, this wasn't a bad blade for me, but not my favorite. It just never seemed to feel fully comfortable for me, but never too bad either. This has been the first blade I have had that felt good but didn't at the same time.

 

Late post Day 22 and Day 23

30 Day Rule with a Schick!



Forgot to change the blade again, but Day 22 was a nice, but a bit tuggy. Super busy weekend, will try and get caught up on the reading later!

Have a Great weekend!

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