May 2022 30 Day Rule/Focus and Discussion. All Are Welcome!

Today I just picked products that I enjoy. La Toja, both the soap and the splash, just work well every time. Same goes for this razor and the brush. Excellent shave.

I usually don't listen to music when I'm shaving, but today decided to do so, because I was overthinking some things and needed to distract myself.

One of the most underrated musicians and composers in my opinion.

Have a great day!

 

Fine shave Barry. Great setup as well. Have a great day.

 

Super shave Daniel. Enjoy the day.

 

Thanks, Joe! Have a good one!

 

Well, my first foray into straight edge shaving was OK. I got a few weepers but nothing that the alum bar couldn't handle. I got plenty of feedback from the alum bar. I must say, I do not like these blades! It felt like I was shaving with a serated steak knife! I have swapped blades and will try the light blade tomorrow. I got pretty close on 2 passes with the Artist Club clone Jeff sent me. I do need more work on my angle and this is why I did nick myself a bit. I got my left cheek done with no leaks. I got a bit over-confident on my right side and cut myself in 4 spots!!!

I did a single cleanup pass with my Fatip Open comb Olive wood handle razor. This is open comb but, felt really mild on my face after using the Straight edge razor. So, overall not bad at all for my first shave with one of these. I can see why many like them!

The MWF did it's job. Menthol coolness from the Proraso Blue pre-shave. I have already done a test stroke with the light blade and it feels MUCH better. I can't wait to try the light blade tomorrow!

It went well. I did most of the shave and even did against the grain with it after the first pass with the grain. I then switched to the safety razor for cleanup. I think I will keep this, Jeff! Me Like!

 

SOTD TUESDAY MORNING, MAY 3, 2022

Woke up to a somewhat cloudy morning! My shave was really good. The mug shave featured my favorite modern artisan razor, Victor Creazzi’s “Bone Mosaic” 7/8. The edge on this razor is just awesome! It is every bit as sharp as my Feather Super benchmark. Vic names his fancy (SanMai pattern-welded Damascus) razors which exhibit a variety of patterns. I really liked this blade pattern, but over and above looks, his razors beautifully balance in hand and are a joy to shave with. Two and a half passes left the mug velveteen smooth!

I enjoy shaving my noggin with a safety razor, and own far too many of the dang things. I have been PIF’ing like crazy over the last year, but still have far too many. Most of my favorite safety razors are vintage, although I still do own a few select modern artisan offerings among which my two Supply razors stand out. I recently acquired the new Supply Pro Adjustable from their Kickstarter, and although I like it, it doesn’t accommodate my favorite injector blade, the Schick Injector II twin edge. My original Supply V2 has no such failing and remains my favorite. The two pass ATG dome shave with it this morning paired beautifully with “Bone Mosaic” and left me velveteen smooth from noggin to neck.

RAZOR: Victor Creazzi’s “Bone Mosaic” 7/8 (Mug), Supply V2 (Dome)
BLADE: Schick Injector II (Dome)
PREP: Cold water rinse followed by a heavy scrub with Argan Oil
BRUSH: Alpha Shaving T400 with 24mm Black Synth Knot Ferrule
SOAP: Mike’s Hungarian Lavender
POSTSHAVE: Cold water wash with brush squeezings followed by a rinse with Humphreys WH. Finished with Cremo Cooling Post Shave Balm.

 

I couldn't resist....just ordered.

 

Congratulations on your first open edge shave, Gary! I understand why you didn’t like the Softguard. I don’t either, but they are designed to prevent slicing errors. My grandson likes them because he had a problem with slicing errors. Just be extra careful to avoid any horizontal slicing movements with the Kai Milds tomorrow. Enjoy!

 

Congrats on your first shave with the open blade razor Hogie! Finding and keeping the angle is a challenge until you gain muscle memory. I would suggest that you keep the razor no more than a spine width off the skin to get and maintain the shaving angle. Short strokes would be preferred until you're comfortable with the razor. Most importantly, take your time so that you get the proper feel for the razor. Conventional wisdom states that you will need 100 shaves to be proficient using an open blade razor. Again, welcome to open blade shaving!

 

Talk about going all in! Congrats!

 

Terrific Tuesday shaves Jeff!

 

Pr

As I have stated, my problem area is my upper lip. Oddly enuff, I got the closest shave in this area with no cuts using the open edge razor. Just one shave showed me that I like this manner of shaving.

Anyway, I have the charge card paid off so, why not? I didn't get blades because Jeff sent along a 20 pack of the light blades. I now know that the Guard blades are not for me. They feel like I am shaving with a serated steak knife!

 

Jeff, you have some beautiful examples of the straight razor in your collection. I don't think I will ever go to a real straight razor unless I can become more comfy with sharpening them. If I can mirror shaving with a straight razor by using one of these Artist Club razors, I will stick with that! Call me lazy....LOL

 

I am Joe. Jeff does have a nice straight razor collection. I might add that my collection is pretty neat.

 

You really like that Slant don't you? I sure do. I have mine bladed up to use tomorrow for cleanup after the Straight razor shave. With a light blade, I may not need to do cleanup. We shall see. I am still working on technique but, I am amazed at how well this first foray went. Just no more guarded blades for me!

 

I know this, Joe! I was replying to Jeff by replying to your reply....(is that confusing enuff?)

 

I do, it's a fantastic razor!

You had a nice first outing with an open blade! Has anyone given you tips to go for a wetter lather etc.? I have shaved only a few times with an open blade, years ago, so I'm not the right person to give any advice, but a lot of the gents here have a ton of knowledge, as you already know!

I'm just waiting for my R41 to arrive.. I had a plan to go with a Derby blade next, but I'm also familiar with Bic blades and have them on hand, so I'll probably try one of those in it first.

Oh, and congrats for the Feather!

 

Fine shaves, gents!

 

Fine shave today. I think I could have done better preparing the brush. What do I mean. I might have been able to spread it out better(to look like the old NBC peacock-cue NBC Peacock theme). As a result, I said to muhself during the first pass"Boy, yer gunna need that second pass". I didn't get enough off the right cheek. Same with North Porcupine Alley(South was good). I can't blame the tools on this one(Stoylin Oro Valley soap). Cactus was successful. A little too much Puros A.S., which increased the tobacco scent, thereby countering the pleasantness of the Puros. I'll go easier tomorrow. Should be a better shave, as I'll have a Stoylin brush. No cuts, one New Yorker, no polkies. Best I can give this one is Most Excellent.

 

fine shaves gents.