NOV 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic&Discussion Thread

Nov 5 focus shave 5

I was going to use a soap that I had trouble with in the past but yesterday a new straight arrived, a Jerry Stark 6/8 round point in red&black micarta scales. Since I did not want to wait to shave I decided to go with a soap I know works with straights, AOS tallow sandalwood.

I worked the soap like it owed my money and it gave the slick, protective cushiony cream I expected. First the passes were great, no blood and no irritation. On to 75% of a 4th pass and still no blood or irritation. Did the alum test and only the slightest twinges of any reaction. I thought I caught the baby but just DFS. Given the smoothness of the shave I am happy.

The razor was listed as 6/8 but it looks and feels like a 5/8. While it shaved great I can tell I prefer a larger blade. The AoS tallow lived up to it's reputation and my experience.

Irritation A, closeness B+

AoS Tallow Sandalwood soap
M&F Blonde Badger
Jerry Stark 6/8 round point
Jerks Osage AS
Edwin Jagger Aloe ASB
The Different Company Rose Povirèe

 

I tried the Pro Guards too and found that the give the same amount of irritation and don't shave as close. It has a weird feeling and due to the guard you feel like you have to use pressure.... a sure way to let some blood.

 

No Doubt!

 

I should try sleep instead of caffeine. Wow that was bad!

 

November 4

Feather Artist Club SS
Feather Professional (4)
Semogue 830
MdC scented
Two passes plus touch-ups
Thayer's Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Fine Platinum

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

The Feather blade settled down on its fourth shave, and so did I. First pass WTG, followed by an ATG second pass. Slow, steady, and focused. Lost my focus once and caught a small nick on my neck. It was the best shave so far with the Feather AC, and even the alum didn't sting too much. Skin irritation from my first three shaves is slowly improving. All things considered, I'll call this a DFS+ shave, irritation B+, and fairly comfortable to boot. My Semogue brush is slowly breaking in, and it seems to release the lather better. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. I love everything about the MdC - lots of slick, thick, nice-smelling lather!

I've enjoyed following everyone's progress so far this month. Happy Shaves!

On a separate note, my dad passed away in 2001. He would have been 100 years old today. That is so hard to believe. He was on my mind a lot today, and of course, I still miss him. If you still have your dad, give him a big bear hug for me.

 

Today’s shave was a super close three pass BBS. The Schick Twin Blade had no trouble with 2 days of stubble. The twin blades were sharper and more efficient than the single blade. The Romera kicked up a cool thick ‘Classic’ lather, pronto! The knot has the density of a Simpson or Shavemac. It easily held enough lather for more than 4 passes. Finished with a few squirts of icy Proraso. Hope everyone had a great Wednesday.

 

Were the twin blades NOS or new production from Japan? I might pick some up for my Type I.

 

New Schick Injector II blades from Japan.

 

Thank you.

 

@NCoxSTL ill be taking a Voskhod for a drive for my first time tonight.

 

Awesome. You're about to experience Russian nirvana.

 

Meh I prefer Ladas or GSB. Voskhod doesn't like my skin.

 

Both great choices as well.

 

I hope it goes as well as I think it will. Looking at your previous avatars everyday kept me wondering.

 

Planned for day 5 (hey look, same as every other day this month)



Things went extremely well again this morning. Three passes for a DFS, no touch ups, no irritation. I really slowed down this morning and concentrated on angle each stroke. Had Simon and Garfunkel playing which is darn near perfect shave music.

I almost feel guilty getting amazing shaves each day.

 

I haven't tried the Sam Seong. I read a couple of reviews of it. Apparently the blade is held in place by sliding a lock on the top. According to a couple of reviews the plastic latch is so flimsy they actually ship it with an extra for when it breaks. Now, they also said it performs great shaves so it's clearly not a total piece of junk. The CJB I can attest to being a great shaver. It's not the prettiest and the spring in it apparently is a bit prone to breaking (as mine did) but for the price it's a great way to transition to the Artist Clubs.

 

I think the Kai blades are definitely smoother. I have used the Kai guards and milds. They definitely aren't as harsh as the Feather Pros. If the irritation doesn't start laying down from this first week I see returning to a Kai for the rest of the month as a possibility. Interestingly, I prefer the DE Kai to the Feather as well. Both way over the top on sharp, just less irritation from the Kai for me. I still wish I could find a Russian AC blade. Still on the hunt. I tried the Canadian Kamisori AC blade and was less than impressed. Pretty rough ride.

 

I have been at my Fiancee's place yesterday and today and will be returning home tomorrow night probably. Not as easy to keep up there because she has no internet so it is only on phone. Here was this morning's shave.

November 4

Razor – !974 Gillette SS
Blade – GSB
Brush – AOS Badger
Soap – Gada Cool Mint shave cream
Post - Cold water splash, Witch Hazel and Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Went for the Gada cream again. I really like this cream. It lathers very well. Produces plenty for multiple passes, and it is very very slick. Figured it would be a good one to take on the road with me.

The shave went well. Had a nice comfortable first pass, though the reduction with this razor is not what it is with the cadet. Still a good pass with little to no irritation. Second pass was another good pass with very little irritation. Had some along my chin. I just cannot seem to get the angle right along here to prevent the irritation. Riding the cap produces no cutting, so have to back off. I usually get good feedback, but then am irritated when I am done. Still a work in progress, but no weepers or other blood present. DFS (I think . . . more on this in a second) shave so not bad.

I have noticed that my smoothness does not last as long as it did with the cadet. Is possible for a razor to give a good close shave that is really more deceiving than good? For example, today's shave was definitely DFS based on feel for the first 6 hours. But it has since lost that smoothness very fast and the growth is much quicker coming back compared to a DFS shave with the cadet OC. Can two razors both give a DFS shave, but one lasts longer than the other? Not sure if this is making sense, but I am tired so it probably doesn't.