May 2015 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic-Discussion Thread

Finished the 30 day challenge, shaved 3 times with each blade in the assortment. Same process except for the blade
In order of preference

1. Derby - forgiving, could use it 3 times through the grinder - WTG, XTG, ATG
2. Lord - also forgiving
3. Shark - meh, ok
4. 7AM - felt rough
5. Sharp - was not sharp
6. Astra - felt dull
7. BIC - Auugh! It burns!

I tried the BIC three separate times because it is considered good by others. I could not get through a full shave, it felt like my face was being shredded.

Things to try next month:
Other blades. Probably not Feather - it seems very sharp blades are not comfortable
Pre-shave oil
Arko stick

 

The only crazy thing about wearing the Veg is NOT wearing it.

 

You are correct sir. The 7 a.m. is rough and the Sharp is not sharp. The Bic works for me but, as we all know, we are all unique in our preferences and in what actually works. I will also agree with you on Feathers. I'm not a fan. Now Kai....that's a great blade in my opinion.

 

Very nice job finishing out the sampler! Good luck dialing it in next month, and I think you are in for a treat with a great soap!

 

May 25 - shave number... Unknown 13ish
Just got my fermatas custom back from Glen and after a quick shave test on my arm, I'm left with confidence and a balls streak on my arm. I've known down two other shaves with the whipped dog this past week, but have been too busy to post.

Preshave prep: hot towel
Preshave: stifling metha preshave oil
Soap: TSN bayrum (thanks @queenofblades)
Blade: gemstar custom square point 5/8 straight
Post: clubman bayrum, alum, cold water splash.
Growth: 3 days

Sorry I've been Mia lately. Missed you guys. Between business travel and holiday vacation, I've gotten two forgettable shave in with the whipped dog, but tonight, I must say THE BEST STRAIGHT SHAVE I'VE EVER GOT! I came back from vacation to find my freshly honed gemstar custom rehoned by Glen after my stropping error. Dare I say; "Best shave ever!" With the month of focus, and a sharp blade, I was able to get a three pass shave with no de clean up this evening. with, xtg, wtg.

I have to tell you, other than catching the mosquito bite for nice bleeder, the more comfortable straight shave ever!

While camping I found a couple of treasures, two Gillette and one gem, two straights. Week see what Glen can do with the straights. Fingers crossed.
Cheers,
Eric

 

I might just make a week on the Astra XP. Lat night was the sixth shave on the blade. I got some tugging, and a little irritation on the neck, but all in all, a DFS. I will use it to start with, tomorrow, just to say it did the week, not that I'm competitive or anything.......

 

Badger Brush Focus - Shave #27

Face or scalp lathering has become automatic with the badger brushes. I always have a slick and shiny coating that meets my needs. I have dialed in the TSD wheat cream and will enjoy it for the next week or so and then on to the next suspect. The mild New LC razor always provides a decent shave in an awesome package.

Have a great day!

 

Blade Focus Day 26:

Homemade PS Oil
WD High Mountain Badger 30 mm
La Toja Shave Stick
EJ Chatsworth Barley
Astra SS
Stirling Unscented PSB
Florida Water AS

Another good shave on the Astra. I am going to give it a fourth day tomorrow. This has become my favorite blade out of this sampler.

 

Day#25 of the 30-Day Focus
..and Day#5 of 7 with the J. A. Henckels Zwillingswerk #472 'Friodur' Straight Razor.

After the discussion about MWF yesterday, I broke out my puck for this morning's shave. I pre-soaked the cracked puck while I showered. After some vigorous loading of the synthetic brush, the initially 'foamy' lather began to develop into that thick, slick 'face paint' that has earned MWF an extensive following. MWF's scent is VERY subtle—clean, 'soapy' and like many fine tallow soaps, feels very slick on the face. For me, it is one of those ideal soap lathers for SR shaving as it provided adequate glide for the blade and yet remains thick enough so the shaver has decent protection from potential razor rash.
This morning's shave was definitely a 'Menthol morning' as it began with the TSD Iced Subzero balm, and finished with the bracing chill of Fine Snake Bite.
The shave in-between was, as it has been the past 4 days, outstandingly smooth.

 

05/26/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (11)
Brush – Shavemac Silvertip D01
Lather – Mystic Water Lavender
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Agua Balsamica Sample



Back to the Mongoose after the holiday weekend break. Fantastic near BBS 2 pass shave. Slowly but surly getting the Mystic Water soap dialed in. Much better lather this morning. This soap is incredibly slick and the post shave feel is fantastic. Finished the shave with a splash of Myrsol Balsamica. Not sure about the scent on this one but the feel of the AS is great.

 

Recovery and play with soap week!
May 26, 2015
Prep - Hot shower and towel
Brush - Vid Long 12705
Soap - Tabac
Razor - EJ DE89L
Blade - (2)
Post - Alum, Aqua Velva Musk

Changed up the soap and brush today. Went with the horse and Tabac. Love the scent of Tabac and it is very easy to lather. Great slick lather that allows for on the go touch ups. Two passes to a DFS...so close to BBS I want to call it but......oh what the heck. It's a BBS. I think that's the first baby on two passes I've found. Really can't say enough good things about the NOS Gillette Blue. Why did they ever stop making these? I know, I know, to market their evil carts. I may have to stock up while they're available.

The sun came out her and the rain stopped for now....off to sell some iron......or fiberglass.....or whatever they make cars from these days.

 

Brush Focus: Day 26/30
Brush: WDC-2 (Grandfather's) (Whipped Dog Knot) High Mountain Badger 22/65, set in 15mm.
Gillette - K-4 (1965) Slim Adjustable. (5).
Gillette Platinum Blade (5)
Soap: Razor-Rock XXX
A/S: Captain's Choice-Sandalwood.
Old Spice Coffee Mug.(soak brush)

Once again a great brush. The High Mountain Badger knot in my Grandfather's handle is a pleasure to use. Retains water and builds an outstanding lather. Can't say enough about WDC-2 it is simply a great shave brush. I also used Captain's Choice, Sandalwood A/S for the first time and I was very happy with it. The Razor-Rock XXX is also new to me and it is definitely a soap I will continue to use. I was a BBS shave tonight. Three passes. Thanks to all those members here who have informed me about this soap and A/S.

 

Day 26 - 26 May 2015

30 Day Rule with a Schick!


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After seeing the post by @HolyRollah , I decided to break out the menthol big guns for this late afternoon shave. It was kinda warm and muggy in the sun today, so the cool felt great. I don't normally do much prep and have mostly oily skin, so preshave balm is only an occasional wandering for me. The TSD Exclusive Iced SubZero products are a great way to freeze your face. The skincare from the Forum store products is first rate, and it's a great way to support the best little forum on the web!

About the shave, 2 pass plus touch up yielded a fine shave, near BBS, on day five for this blade. I am switching to XTG with pressure around the chin, and shorter more deliberate strokes in general. The injector just continues to deliver! After trying Florida Water, it has moved into a solid second place behind Lilac Vegetal on my AS faves list.

I hope everyone had a great shave, and an even better day! I love short weeks after a holiday weekend!

Have a great Wednesday!
​

 

Douglas-

What is the scent profile of XXX?

 

Scent: Fresh and clean; a cross between a classic Italian colonial and an old-school barbershop!

 

Nice! Old school rules!

 

I agree 100%.

 

Today was day seven on the Astra SP blade. The result was a very acceptable DFS shave, after two passes plus touch-up. I really like this blade, and so far, it and the Israeli Personna Red are tied with seven shaves each per blade. So far, then, I found these two to be the longest living, the Voskhod to be the smoothest, and the Feather Hi Stainless to be the sharpest, but a touchy shave. of course, I still have six more blades to try in the try a blade top ten, and a few other Russian blades I got as well. It will be an amazing summer of shaving, totally satisfying the shave geek in me. I will try to do a cost per 10 pack breakdown, in some rudimentary format, of course, not coming anywhere close to @GD Carrington 's masterpiece.

 

Shave #28 in the badger brush focus. No pics today because, well, not much has changed. I did, however, use a different soap. I purchased 6 "vintage" hobbyist soaps from IanS last year and decided to grab one and see how it would do. I'm not sure how old this soap is, but the scent is sort of like leather and it is quite hard. I poured a little water over it while I soaked my brush and washed my face and the proceeded to load up the Made Rite/TGN finest brush. Face lather nirvana! Slick and shiny within less than 30 seconds. Hmmm, maybe there is something to these badger brushes after all.

 

05/27/2015
Razor – Mongoose B2 with Jürgen Hempel Ti
Blade – Feather Super Pro (12)
Brush – Rudy Vey with Shavemac Finest
Lather – TSD Yin Yang
Post - Witch Hazel and Myrsol Limon Sample



Fantastic near BBS shave today. The blade is falling off as the shaves increase. Had a bit more touch up today following the first 2 passes. I hope to get 2 more shaves out of the blade. The TSD soap is very easy to lather and super slick. I really like the scent of the Yin Yang and it paired well with the Myrsol Limon from my sample pack.