NOV 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Don't worry. The ADs related to straights aren't that difficult to overcome. You need a razor, a strop, and a touch up stone. You'll want about 35 razors, a set of about six stupidly expensive rocks, and a strop of each type of leather. Have fun with it!

 

We all do the same thing at times. My only saving grace is skin as tough as nails. I have to be out of mind stupid to get a bad case of razor burn. I usually end up with mild irritation when I keep going past the "good sense" point.

 

That question seems to the new mantra around here. What's the worst that can happen? You don't want to know! If you're hearing my voice in your head quickly stop and think of puppies, kittens, happy thoughts and make me go away!

 

This is what I think of to get the voice out of my head.

 

Guilty as charged Kemosabe!

 

November 3, 2015

No Variation NoVember
The No Variation theme month comes at a great time for me having acquired some new equipment.

I've had only two shaves with this razor in order to choose a blade to use exclusively this month. Also about half a dozen shaves with the soap and brush. So this will be a great month of learning.

Razor: Mongoose B3
Blades: Feather Artist Club Professional (3)
Soap: Saponificio Varesino Manna
Brush: Omega 31025 Scarlatti Boar
AS: Myrsol Blue



I shaved on Monday with a three-day growth and then again today.

Initial impressions:

Razor - having only used vintage DEs, SEs and injectors, the Mongoose feels brick heavy and looks the size of one as well as I place it up to my face. It seems to demand one use no pressure, using your hand to just steer the beast. The ATG pass takes getting used to as one must pull the weight of the mongoose upward. I initially tend to "choke up" on the handle as I do an upward stroke. My stroke count and pattern appears to change slightly due to the width of the cutting head. Even though it is wider, it may actually help in my approach to trouble spots on jawline and neck. The shave angle appears to be found almost naturally by design.

Blade - the Feather Pro is sharp and smooth. The razor/blade combo just sliced throughout my three-day growth with no problem. By far the best first-pass reduction that I've experienced.

It will take time to figure the best attack angle around my mustache and goatee/patch. A few weepers developed there today. But with just two shaves, I'm drawing a quick conclusion that once consistent, good technique is achieved with this razor, BBS shaves should become an every day occurrence. (Just like today!)

More later on the soap and brush combo.

Cheers!
RT

 

No! Never. . .

 

Scented is better.

http://www.theorganicsheabutter.com/sheastore.htm

 

I have found that with practice I can use just one end of the razor to trim in tight areas. I just lift up the opposite end slightly to the point that the blade is no longer cutting: just taking the weight on the offside off the blade. This makes it easier for me to get into tight spots with the wider head. Once I became comfortable with this approach, I can get to the tight spots easier. Not sure if I did a good job explaining my approach or if it will work for you but I hope it helps.

 

No, I get it. It makes sense.

Part of the trouble is, I like to trim the bottom line of hair across the upper lip. But with a long mustache, I have to hold the upper whiskers out of the way while attempting to trim the lower ones. With a narrow injector - no problem. With the large head of a Mongoose or even a DE - a bit more cumbersome.
(and no, I'm not going to shave it off.)

This is good though. I have something to work on during the month.

 

Makes sense to me. One less thing to shave. Nothing wrong with using an injector every couple of shaves for trimming duties.

 

Nov 3.

Raxor: Feather Artist Club DX
Blade: Feather Proguard
Brush: Semogue SOC Badger
Cream: T&H 1805
ASB: Body Shop White Musk

This is my first shave in the Nov 30. I was due to start yesterday but being told I was going to be made redundant dampened the mood a bit and I decided to forget the shave.

Anyway - 2 pass shave wtg and atg.
DFS\BBS results. No weepers or cuts. Really enjoyable shave.
I'm left handed and after spending a month with the non folding Kai, I am getting confident with my right hand. Didn't feel awkward at all.

Stick with it guys, it gets easier.

 

November 3

Feather Artist Club SS
Feather Professional (3)
Semogue 830
MdC scented
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Captain's Choice Bay Rum

Goals
Further develop my two-pass shave technique by practicing the basics
Break in and get more experience with the Semogue 830
Get more experience with MdC



I almost skipped my evening shave due to some facial irritation. I was discouraged by my first two shaves this week. I decided to attempt a slow, easy shave following a good face prep and an extended face lather. The MdC explodes into a nice, slick lather once you get the hang of it, and I love the scent. I completed a drama-free WTG pass, so I decided to try a careful ATG second pass. For some reason, I have more control going ATG than XTG with this razor.

On each pass, I find myself shaving small areas of my face, applying more lather, and then continuing. I use Alum on my fingertips to help with skin stretching, something I don't normally do with a DE. I'm getting better at nibbling out the hairs under my nose, and I managed not to cut my bottom lip or get a boatload of weepers on my chin.

My face stings a bit, but not like the last two nights. I'm still using too much pressure, and I need to focus more on proper skin stretching. Overall, it was an improvement. I had two small weepers below the nose and one small nick on my right jawline. The alum stung a little, causing minor hyperventilation, but I recovered quickly. The cold water rinse felt great. I followed up with some witch hazel and unrefined shea butter. I left the bathroom for the first time this week without a wad of toilet paper in my hand to catch blood drips. I have some CC Bay Rum on hand for tomorrow morning.

I rate my overall shave a DFS+, with some areas BBS. I feel as if I have now crossed under the St. Louis Arch, heading westward toward the quiet Colorado prairies.

It's almost Wednesday, and I hope you all are having great week!

 

Vince, you have a great set up there. I'm glad you're enjoying the Mongoose. I'm curious to hear about your impressions of the soap you have chosen.

 

Great job! I appreciate the encouragement!

 

Day 3 - No Variation Novemeber!

3 November 2015



Utopia 3-piece
Gillette Silver Blue (3)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Proraso Barbe Dure
Alum
TSD 2x Iced FW AS Splash​

Today was day three on the GSB, and the blade shows no signs of degradation. Today I did the usual two pass routine and focused on skin stretching and precise shaving. Today's lather was amazing, perfect on the first try and super slick...the result was near BBS with a tiny weeper on the neck. The Alum felt like a cold stone, zero irritation today! Hopefully I will pull off the exact same thing tomorrow. Spent the late part of the day winterizing stuff, snow will be here by Thursday night. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.​

Have a wonderful Wednesday!
​

 

Good stuff!

 

It's gonna be one of those nights....