OCT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

I thought you were coming to Florence, Alabama. I was going to drive over from my hometown, Rome, Georgia, to visit you.

 

OCtober 30 Day Focus -- Cadet Open Comb

October 7

Razor – Cadet Open Comb
Blade – Ladas
Brush – VDH Boar
Soap – Olive Tree Secrets Tobacco and Leather
Post - Cold Water Splash, Witch Hazel M-Bombed, and Clubman



Used a soap that I picked up at a recent craft market. It was listed as a bath soap but he indicated many people use it as a shave soap. So I decided to give it a try. I give it a 6 or 7 out of 10 as a shave soap. Decent lather, not the most, but not bad either. Decent slickness, definitely could be better. And the smell was fantastic though a bit light. As for moisturizing and skin feel, I have no complaints. It was made from goat's milk and olive oil so it was pretty nice on the skin. It was great as a bath soap, but only decent as a shave soap.

Also, I managed to pick up a new bowl to use. My local CVS had a VDH set that was literally torn open. Someone had stolen the brush. Well, they had the bowl and soap listed at 50 cents, so I could not pass that up!

The shave was excellent. Really paid attention to angle and pressure. It was a great shave. No irritation at all. Very smooth. My Fiancee is in town and she deemed it the baby, so I get to claim a BBS shave for last night. Best part is that I am still fairly smooth today!

 

There is a goat butter based soap that is made at farm near me that I like, but it is kind of picky to use. Homestead Ranch

I picked up an emu oil based soap at the last farmer's market I went to. I asked the lady if it was a good soap for shaving, since it was in a 4 inch puck. She said yes. Stuff is awesome as a bath bar, but the lather won't build right for shaving. I am convinced that a lot of soap makers don't realize the specific qualities that wet shavers are looking for, so when I ask would this work for shaving, they just smile, nod, and take my money.

 

I think this bar is definitely a good bar for a bath soap, and I am sure that is its intended purpose. Like the ones you found, I think the makers just assume since it is a good soap for bathing it should be just fine for anything including shaving. The goat butter one sounds interesting, but the emu oil soap is most intriguing! I will keep using the OliveTree one as a bath soap, but I think it has probably seen its one and only use as a shave soap.

 

It might even make a good pre shave face soap as well.

 

Razor: Gillette Aristocrat 1947 (Birth Razor)
Blade: Voskhod Teflon Coated (3)
Brush: WDC-4 Silver Tip Butterscotch Handle (VIG) 24/67
Decanter: Old Spice Telescope Red ID #4354 1973-1976 (New Unused)
Soap: Razo-Rock XXX
Wash Board: Grandmother's Sock board
A/S: Old Spice Lime
Menthol Crystals, (@clint64 )
Day 8
Went a little crazy on the menthol crystals tonight. Face is still . Life and learn. Had a DFS with a great finish with Old Spice Lime.

 

Those crystals are strong. I added some to my witch hazel for a good chill before applying the AS.

 

Sorry guys, I couldn't help but chime in. I love adding lots of Menthol Crystals to Witch Hazel. A Menthol Mania!

 

I'm new t using menthol crystals. Do you mix them with water before adding them to soap and A/S?

 

I mix the crystals in a 2-3 milliliters of 90% rubbing alcohol. Then add that to a 4-5 ounce spray bottle of witch hazel. I like it CHILLINI!!!!

 

Good idea. Thanks.

 

October 8 Focus Shave 6

While I am still falling short of my reference shave BBS it seems I am getting more consistency in my straight razor shaves. The first 3 passes went smoothly, no blood and no irritation. Once again I was only able to complete about 2/3 of the fourth pass. The alum check confirmed only small bit of irritation and the shave was again borderline BBS
I rate this shave irritation A-, closeness A-

QCS Fougere
Thater 3 band silver tip
PRC Western grind Kamisori
Dry Gulch horse hide paddle strop
Lucky Tiger AS
Edwin Jagger ASB
Houbigant Fougere

 

I'm back! No idea how active I'll be with drill and having just finished moving but I'll be following the thread

 

Congratulations on finding the baby! How do you like the shaving with a wedge grind?

 

Sounds like quality sales people to me.

 

My focus this month is wedges, so I will play with this English one, a German one, and an American one. I really like the size and weight of this Shefield.

 

The generosity on this forum is mind boggling. Came home to a very surprising PM. Just wanted to thank everyone for welcoming me here so warmly!

 

October 9 Focus Shave 7

Today's shave represents a dawn of new era, I hope. Except for the bottom of my neck this shave is BBS. I thought the shave felt a bit rough and when I applied the alum there was a little sting but after the AS, some ice and ASB only a tiny bit of irritation. I had one tiny weeper that was not even there when I finished the shave. This razor has not seen allot of action because I used to nick myself allot with the sharp point and heel. This time I did not draw blood.

It maybe in my head but for some reason my Rasurpur razor feels more aggressive than my other straights and it is not just because of the sharp point and heel. To the other straight razor shavers is this in my head or do you have a similar experience?

I rate this shave irritation B+, closeness A my closest shave ever with a straight.

Santa Maria Novella Crema da Barba
M&F Blonde Badger
Rasurpur Western grind Kamisori
Dry Gulch horse hide paddle strop
Aloclado Glacial + Speick AS
L'Occitane Cade ASB
Bill Blass Mr. Blass

 

Friday, OCtober 9, 2015

iKon Short Comb with UFO Titan Fine XL
Wilkinson Sword #1
Wolf Whiskers Green TGN Finest
Sterling Soap Co Glacial Obsidian
Sterling Black Ice Witch Hazel, Cucumber Melon Whipped Shea Butter
Krampert’s Frostbite Aftershave

​

 

An interesting diversion into generalized technique for 8 October 2015!

Engrsaks/Bama Samurai Technique Challenge

Great Western™ Sensitive Skin (Single Blade Disposable Razor)

​

I acquired these razors today at a local pharmacy in Kailua, HI, USA. The pack of twelve carried a shelf price of US$3.69 before sales tax of 5%, so let's call it $4 for twelve razors. It is obviously a knockoff of the famous Bic Sensitive. I will attempt to go Near BBS on two passes plus touch up.

Great Western Sensitive Skin Disposable Razor
La Toja Shave Stick
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Alum
Pinaud Clubman AS Lotion
​

I made to sure today that the lather and the skin prep were flawless and set right into shaving. I found the first pass WTG to be extremely mild, could not feel a blade at all, but experienced good reduction in the stubble. So far, so good. Pass two was XTG and incorporated the exact same skin stretching techniques that I use with a Schick injector. After two comfortable passes, and a bit of ATG touch up on the mustache, chin and jaw, I was near BBS. I actually found the shave to be adequate. My only real complaint is that the razor was way too mild, and I felt like I had to work a bit harder and shave more precisely than normal. Now, surprisingly, the Alum was a bit fiery, but there is no visible irritation and it calmed down pretty fast. The blade was indeed sharp enough to get the job finished, and was actually smooth enough not to draw my attention. Splashed on the Clubman and called it good!

Techniques trump tools.

Have a fantastic Friday!
​