NOV 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

The last daily shave with the Feather AC was a good one. Since that was the point of this focus, I would call it a success. I can't say I ever got a BBS this month, but I'm happy with consistent two pass DFS. This has been quite a learning experience and I am happy to finish the month with no scars or scabs. Thanks for the support and encouragement. I don't know that I could have finished the month without it. I actually grew to like this razor over the month and will keep it in my rotation.
SOTD
TOBS Grapefruit
Rubberset 400
Feather AC SS
Feather Professional (7)
Witch Hazel
Old Spice AS
Enjoy your week!

 

Thank you. That is the thread I was looking for. Not sure if I can find a Gen 4 knot only, but i will keep searching.

 

Adam give the Frank Shaving Pur-Tech knots a look. They are Gen 4 and reasonably priced. On the Bay.

 

You can also search Etsy for Ubbersoft

 

One "b", Ubersoft. You can also search http://www.aliexpress.com/ and save much.

 

Nicely done again. You see? Nothing to it.

 

Even though it has a smaller sampler size I'm happy to see the Moscow blade achieved the highest percentage of BBS and 11 in a row. Also, no irritation. Now that's what I call a Russian win!

 

Nothing wrong at all with consistent DFS. I usually call that a win on any day with any razor. Like you I was happy with the consistency of two pass shaves with the Feather. Great time this month as part of the Brotherhood. Pain sticks forever!

 

NOVember - NO Variation
November 30

Razor - Durham Duplex Folding
Blade - (2)
Brush -Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water, Alum, The Veg

Final shave for November and I'm finishing on the second day of the Durham Duplex. Only change in setup is the soap. Went to the Fat and kept the Wolf Whiskers brush in. A fantastic load and lather from the Silvertip, enough to name this combo too. FatWolf seems appropriate. Alongside BoSFat I now have to great setups for brush/soap with Mitchell's.

I will summarize this shave by saying the Durham Duplex is an interesting razor. It does work, but I'm not going to say it works really well. One pass gets enough reduction to know you've been there. The second pass gets CCS but anything further requires something else, at least for me. Now, a third pass might get to DFS but I seriously doubt it. I used my EJ DE89 and Bic Chrome Platinum again today to finish with DFS. The Durham is a unique piece of shaving history and for the cost (they sell cheap on the bay) it's worth having around. Will it ever make it into rotation? Nope. However, I could see using it as a backup straight in the event you needed to avoid further damage if that should happen with a straight razor. The technique is smiliar, since it's really a safety straight, but you certainly wouldn't risk further damage from it. I'm not sure what it would take to cut yourself with this thing. And, probably don't want to find out.

As November ends I want to say a big thanks to everyone who has read my posts and commented as well. It was a fun month with a few of us on the pain stick together and watching a lot of other really great progress from the regulars. As for the newbies, you're all great and on the right road to really enjoying your shaves! Keep at it. Technique, Technique, Technique.............on to December.

​

 

Brotherhood of the Pain Sticks Unite!

 

All pain stick brothers rise for the Pain Stick Fight Song

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November 30

Razor – 1974 Gillette SS
Blade – GSB
Brush – AOS Badger
Soap – Gada Cool Mint shave cream
Post - Cold water splash, Witch Hazel and TSD ISZ

Decided I needed to get one more shave in for November before switching over to the December thread, mainly because it is menthol Monday and I love using the mentholated products. Another good near BBS shave with the birth year and quarter razor. I have to work harder with this razor than I do the Cadet OC or the L6 to get a BBS shave, but it can deliver them. I have learned some new techniques because they were necessary with this razor to get a BBS shave. The J hooking around the adam's apple has been especially good for getting what has always been (from electric to cartridge to DE) a problem area for me. It is a technique I will likely use for touch-up in the future.

My other main conclusion is that I am not sold at all on the AOS brush. I am going to be using the Stirling Kong for the next month and so the AOS and the Stirling will get some direct comparisons. I also have a handle that I need to set a knot in and so will be looking at either an Ubersoft knot or one from AMack4Shaving on Etsy.

As others have said, thank you Chris (@Bama Samurai) for getting these threads going and for your dedication to the 30DC! Thank you to everyone for a good November! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the experiences of the Brotherhood with the pain sticks. Maybe if Boris finds me I will end up using one in the future.

Looking forward to all the fun and frivolity on the December 30 Day Thread!

 

Hai!!!!

 

I believe that's what they use? I would love a Silvertip for my Switchback 400 but I don't have the confidence to do it.

 

Don't look over your shoulder.

 

I would like a painstick someday. I'll console myself with straights this coming month.

 

Neal, you're the best! The things you are willing to try amazes me.

 

You found last year's Cartel Christmas Card! Awesome!

I appreciate your comment. My natural curiosity is probably not always a good thing to let run free but then again it keeps life interesting. I will admit a real fascination with vintage gear and some of the oddities really intrigue me. They say the Durham Duplex had a third of the market in 1920 which I find, well, perhaps over statement. However, given the fact you could finally use a straight without risk of throat cutting may have made it that popular for awhile. Again, a blast from the past that works, albeit not well. The three piece version I was trying to buy eluded me. Actually a few guys got in a bidding war and took it a bit higher than I was willing to pay. Anything over five bucks is probably too much. I'll find another one and give it a try.

A bit of foreshadowing - I have a plan in the works with the help of a co-conspirator to try something that, for the first time, has me a bit nervous. More to come.

 

Kerry, let me get through the holiday season and I'll help you with getting a Silvertip installed. I've done enough on the real 400s so it shouldn't be that much different.

 

Big update for the day is not shave related. My second daughter, Juliet arrived today. Both she and mom are heathy, and my heart is happy.