May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

Don't give in to the dark side!! Nobody needs more than three razors (cough cough). You have more than enough (cough cough). Why, anyone with more than three is really just wasting money and time (choking noises). We're here to help you keep from buying too many razors and other products (it's getting hard to breathe). Trust me........you're fine.

Seriously, I do know some who are happy with one or two razors, but it is addicting. And fun to play with all the new gear. If you can resist the siren's call let me know how you did it! SWMBO would love to find the cure. LOL

 

MAYhem & Mercy
May 19, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Omega Pro 48
Soap - Tabac
Razor - RazoRock TTO
Blade - (2)
Post - Alum, Nivea Balm

Mercy continues with day two on the 7 a.m. I switched from the EJ DE89l to the RazoRock TTO. After yesterday's result I wanted to try a more aggressive razor. Results were nearly the same though it wasn't quite as comfortable as in the EJ. The duller blade in the more aggressive razor produced a bit of drag instead of improving as it sometimes will. Took three full passes and some extra touch up work to get to DFS and there was quite a bit of irritation. I'm a bit unsure whether it's the fault of the blade, the difference in the razor or a combination of the two. Either way I achieved a passable shave, even a bit better than with the EJ and the Nivea cooled everything back down.

The Tabac with the Pro 48 was awesome, by the way. Great lather with the boar and I really like the Tabac. I definitely plan to keep it in the den from here on out. SAD continues unabated.

As for the 7 a.m.? Well, it passed both MAYhem and Mercy in spite of some serious flaws in the MAYhem round. I think it's safe to say that quality control is a challenge for the people at Samah and that reason itself is enough to keep me from keeping any in stock. Given the clear difference in blades I think using these could be a bit like Russian roulette. You may only get one bad blade out of 100, or 1000 but waiting for that next one could take a lot of the fun out of shaving. I also don't like the irritation factor but.....it is a platinum blade too and I don't get along with many platinum blades.

Tomorrow...back to the EJ and the wonderfully awful Baili Blue. A slow boat to a Chinese blade that last time failed only slightly less than the Dying Buzzard.....er...Flying Eagle.

 

May 19

Stirling Sheep facial soap
Weber PH
Feather blade (day 3)
Kent BK4 silvertip
Le Père Lucien shave soap
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Nivea Sensitive Post-Shave Balm

I had a late afternoon shave, as my Bride and I will have dinner at a historic inn in the Great Smoky Mountains this evening.

I hope you all had a great day.

 

18 May 2015

30 Day Rule with a Schick!


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Not a lot of commentary on the shave today...just another 2 pass automatic. The blade is holding up well, I think that was day 7. I am still focusing on SR style skin stretching and maintaining good blade angles. Went back to the Veg today...it's my fave AS these days.

Have a great Tuesday evening!
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When are you going to commit to switching over?

 

Blade Focus Day 20:

Homemade PS Oil
WD High Mountain Badger 30 mm
Stirling San Antonio SS
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Derby Super Stainless
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Vanilla AS

Day 1 on the Derby, and I am not sure about the the blade. Part of me liked it a lot, but part of me had some reservations. It provided a nice CCS+, but felt a little tuggy. We'll see how it does on the next couple of shaves.

 

I'm getting these badger brushes dialed in. Several good shakes and then load the mostly dry brush with soap and face lather away. Within less than a minute I have plenty of lather to accomplish my shaving for the day. Today was shave 18 of the focus and I'm feeling pretty good about what is happening. The New SC razor provided a mild single pass shave this morning and the results are a DFS.

 

05/20/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (8)
Brush – Brothers Bristles with WD HM
Lather – Cathie’s Bubbles Santal Sensuelle
Post - Witch Hazel and Captain’s Choice Sandalwood



Another great shave this morning. All the time spent mastering this razor is really paying off now. Catie's Bubbles is so easy to use and lathering. The scent pairs well with the CC Sandalwood AS.

 

May 20th , SOTD (Shave 11 of this focus)
Two days’ growth
Prep: Hot Shower
Razor: Wade & Butcher square point 5/8, pre-1890 with worm eaten black horn scales
Strop: Drygulch Chromexcel Horsehide and Linen 20/50 laps
Soap: Barrister & Mann's Bay Rum
Brush: Omega 10066 Boar (I love this brush)
Post Shave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: Pinaud Clubman

I should really probably stick with one razor. The three I have used this month are all different, and seem to need a different touch. I have one on the way that should be here this afternoon. This one (W&B pre-1890) is giving me the best shaves of the group, and the Dubl Duck Satin Wedge is leaving me wanting to shave the day after. Not sure if it is a sharpness thing or a technique. Any ideas?

Did a three pass shave today. Was going to be a two pass and touch up, but I ended up doing the whole pass. A few weepers, and a bit of irritation on the neck. I have been trying to speed up my morning shaves some, and have to be more careful on the angle right under the jawline. Overall, DFS, with just a few trouble spots.

Got a great lather today with the B&M. I am very familiar with this brush, so it seemed easier. I think for next month, I am going to focus on one razor and one brush.

 

Day#19 of the 30-Day Focus
..and Day#6 of 7 with the Böhler Stahl Straight Razor.

Not all razors feel the same on the face. I would expect there to be a difference between an old Sheffield blade vs a vintage German-made Bresduck. You can use the same technique, but one type of razor may require a lighter touch or multiple short passes to achieve the same closeness as another blade. Consider the variation in SRs as one notices the differences between an old Gillette Tech and a MerkurHD—both get the job done, but the face feel is noticeably different.

The four razors I chose for this month are all similar in style, maker and overall 'feel.' The differences between them all has been subtle so far.
This morning's shave was uneventful. New soft soap into the mix, (the Valobra) which provided a good glide for the Böhler. One more day with this exceptionally-smooth shaver...

 

I think you are on the right track. Eliminating as many variables as possible should allow you to make faster gains in improving your technique.

 

MAYhem & Mercy
May 20, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Vie Long 12750
Soap - Proraso
Razor - EJ DE89l
Blade - (1)
Post - Alum, Nivea Balm

I am really struggling with this today. For one, I expected the Baili to just underwhelm. It failed in MAYhem, didn't get CCS with the Soyuz, didn't even finish the shave with the Rapira from the discomfort. So I suppose I expected something similar today. I am also aware that all of the blades have performed better in the EJ than the Soyuz so knew I would probably see at least minor improvement. Three passes and a touch up pass under the neck and I wasn't sure what I had. It was smoother in the EJ than the two Russians by a long shot. But it's spotty on the results. I've been looking at it and feeling it for over a half hour and still not sure what to think. I can see a couple of spots that look like they need work but the feel isn't as bad as it looks. On the other hand the jawline and neck feel rougher but look good. No, I haven't taken any drugs this morning that would cause confusion. Hmmmmmmm.........

Ok, consider the irritation factor. After the final touch up I did a cold water splash and picked up the alum. Man this is gonna sting.......ummmm.......wellllllllll. Very quiet alum. Quite literally no sting or burn. Anywhere. Looked around for a hidden camera. Nope, not a prank. On to the next thing I could think of. I gave SWMBO a kiss and a hug and made sure she got a good rub of my face against hers. No comment either way. Usually I get some feedback on how good it is or it's a bit rough or something like that. Did I just hear Rod Serling's voice? Ok, let's have another cup of coffee and look again. Yeah, still looks ok and I know I'm awake now. A couple of spots maybe could be better but the feel is good.

Ok, let's eliminate. Is it BBS? Nope, this is a blade on birth control....unable to ever produce a baby. Is it DFS? No, the neck takes that away. Is it CCS? Yes it......no it........well maybe......ok if I have to spend this much time judging a shave just give up and call it a pass for the blade. It's obviously close enough to drive me to the point of insanity (short trip anyway) and I'm in a generous mood. We'll feed it to the RazoRock tomorrow morning and see if it leaves me confused as well. It's Wednesday people!!

 

That makes sense. I hadn't really thought about the differences in the steel. The two Wade and Butcher straights feel very similar, and the Dubl Duck feels different. Sounds like the best way for me to learn that one would be to do a focus with it as my only razor for a while.

 

Brush Focus: Day 19/30
Brush: WDC-3, Olivewood Silvertip (WD) 24/67 knot deep set.
Gillette Super Speed, Red Tip (1955- A-3)
Gillette Platinum Blade (5)
Soap: Proraso Sapone.
Bowl: KO Shave
A/S: Clubman Musk
Old Spice Coffee Mug.(soak brush)

Brush worked well with a different soap. Everything working well together. On to the next brush today. This is yesterday's shave.

 

Okay guys I need some advice. The post office seems to have really dropped the ball on handling my razor and I really have no idea when it will be here. It was scheduled for Monday but that obviously didn't happen and it says it left Fort Worth coming to Houston over 24 hours ago and still no update so I'm guessing possibly tomorrow but probably Friday. Should I just cave and use my Genco or wait it out another day or two?

 

I have a new razor coming today, but I shaved this morning rather than waiting for the new one. I have issues with delayed gratification. That said, if my current razor wasn't shaving great, I would probably hold off until I got one I knew was ready to rock. It is also more fun to shave several days' growth off.

 

Didn't someone else lose or have a razor delayed arriving in Texas recently? Might need some fresh ponies down there.

 

Yeah the whole point was to shave a decent amount of growth off at once. My other razor shaves fine but I would like to see how the new one compares and waiting seemed like a good way to compare since I usually skip days with the other razor. After it arrives the plan is to shave everyday as this months focus hasn't really been as productive as I had hoped. I need to get my head in the game lol

I'd be glad to hear it's not just me having problems although I had my wife's jewelry anvil deliver within three days of placing the order from out of state. Maybe they pick and choose which days they feel like disappointing people lol

 

Brush Focus: Day 20/30
Brush: Frank Shave Brush, Rosewood, Best Badger 22/55
Gillette Super Speed, Red Tip (1955- A-3)
Gillette Platinum Blade (6)
Soap: KO Shave, Cool Blue
Bowl: KO Shave
A/S: Captain Choice, Bay Rum
Old Spice Coffee Mug.(soak brush)

The Frank Shave brush performs very well and is one that will stay in my rotation. Loads soap great and with a little water added along the way make an excellent lather. I also like the KO Shave Cool Blue soap. The Gillette Red Tip is a great razor. The Gillette Platinum Blade is a solid blade. I like the Captain Choice Bay Rum even though my wife is not fond of it. Outstanding 3 pass shave tonight.

 

Hmmm, I don't know yet. I mastered closed comb DE, almost got Injectors, gonna do open combs. SR will be last in my progression. I am trying out each style in earnest. Don't wanna miss anything or overlook a possible fave.