OCT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

Razor: Gillette Red Tip (A3) 1955
Blade: Gillette Platinum (5)
Brush: Black Badger Wood Handle (Grandfather's) Whipped Dog 20/65
Soap: Razo-Rock XXX
A/S: Fine American Blend
Day 24

Excellent 3 pass shave this evening. Grandfather's restored brush with Whipped Dog Black Badger knot performs great. Had a good angle of attack this evening and got a DFS. Fine American Blend is a very good A/S. Can't wait for my Shave Den Sunday shave.

 

October 24th SOTD
Two days’ growth
Preshave: Hot Shower
Razor: Union Cutlery Spike (near) Wedge, 11/16
Strop: Drygulch Leatherworks Oiled Latigo
Brush: Handturned Tulip Poplar Badger
Soap: The Holy Black, Gunpowder Spice
Postshave: Cold Water Rinse, Alum Block, Thayer’s Witch Hazel
Aftershave: The Holy Black Whisker Whiskey, Gunpowder Spice

Never got my last shave posted. I have also lost track of this month’s shaves. It’s been a crazy month for me, both at work and with personal stuff. My daughter turned three, my wife is 35 weeks pregnant, and my mother is having health issues. There hasn’t been a whole lot of time for shaving stuff.

That said, part of my focus this month was to get an eBay razor shave ready, to compare with my other two wedges. Today was the first time I have had to work on the razor, so this one might stretch into next month. I had originally planned to sand and polish this razor, and get a great shine out of it. That turned into wiping it down with denatured alcohol, and hitting it with a buffing wheel. Didn’t do a lot, just wanted to get the grime off. It needs to be sanded and polished still, but I did hone it. I set the bevel with a Naniwia 1k water stone. It took over an hour, but finally it started to cut arm hair. Looking at the edge under magnification showed that there were no chips, and the bevel was even. I moved on to four different natural stones, then Chromium Oxide on a linen strop, them 40 laps on my linen strop and 100 laps on oiled latigo. It wasn’t quite as smooth as edges more experienced honers have created for me, but I am pretty happy with it.

I have to travel to Phoenix in a few weeks, so I needed to get rid of my goatee, which was about a half inch long. I didn’t want a freshly shaved look for that trip, so I did it today. I have never intentionally taken large bits of facial hair off with a straight razor before. Usually, I use clippers before shaving it off. You can’t clog a straight razor though. It was freaking awesome. Like it makes me want to grow a beard just so I can shave it off with a straight razor awesome. (As a side note, my razor didn’t clog, but my sink did. Had to stop between my second pass and touch up to unclog the drain.)

Two pass plus touch up on the neck. Two nicks, but water closed them up. Just shy of BBS!! Chin is tender, but aftershave helped. I like this razor so far.

 

OCtober Focus Day 23:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Gatlinburg SS
Phoenix Dbl OC
Stirling Unscented PSB -- Mentholated
Stirling Gatlinburg AS

I got home from a business trip and had my delivery from Stirling waiting for me. I ordered mostly bath soaps, but I did get a tub of the Gatlinburg SS and some matching AS. It is an outdoorsy scent, and has what I believe to be the Cade really coming through. I can get the lavender and some of the Cedar as well. There is also some earthiness or moss in there as well. Overall, it is very pleasing. The performance is everything you would expect from a Stirling soap, and I can see why they named it Gatlinburg. It does seem to have a connection to the East Tennessee mountains.

The AS is a bit different in scent, at least on the skin. The Cedar is much more present. After my shave, I went to my son's soccer game after a light rain. The fields are tucked into the woods, and stepping out of the car, the fresh rain soaked woods scent hit me. I can say that the AS just went right with the scent. As a bonus, my wife really seems to like it as well.

I had another first today, as I tried Voskhod blades for the first time. The initial shave was amazingly smooth. I will have to give this blade a few shaves, but I can tell it has great potential. Do I get some credit from the Cartel?

I also tried the mentholated PSB for the first time, and this was as fantastic. All the things I like from Stirling PSB, but with a nice menthol kick.

 

Igor gave a nod in your direction. Almost smiled too but stopped before he lost control.

 

Happy Birthday to your daughter. Kids are great at that age. My daughter always had my heart. Good luck to your wife with child. Hope your Mother is on the mead. You have a lot on your plate. Good luck.

 

Igor losing control? Sounds bad.

 

Birthday wishes to your daughter. Sorry to hear of your Mother's health issues. It was difficult for me as caretaker for my Mom's last year and a half. My prayers go out to you for strength and compassion and your Mom's better health.

 

Take one breath at a time, To your daughter! Your wife is due any time now, get ready. I'll keep your mom in my prayers.

 

Happy Birthday wishes for your daughter. My thoughts and prayers for your mother.

 

Hang in there Adam. Positive thoughts your way!

 

But I like St.Louis!???
I don't wanna go.

 

Sweet man, in the groove!

I feel it coming closer day by day
Life would be ecstasy, you and me and Leslie.

 

I am praying for your mother. Hope it gets better.

 

Saw them in 1966 at Whiskey a go go, 77 Sunset Strip. Good tune. Thanks for the memories.

 

The LC found you! Nice!

 

Hang in there buddy! I pray it all calms down soon.

 

Day 24 - October 2015

30 Days with a Gillette Fat Boy


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Took a Crystal blade out for a spin with the La Toja. Yesterday's shave actually left my skin a bit irritated, so I backed off to 8 and went for it with more care than normal. I found the blade to be sharp and smooth, and coupled with the La Toja, made for the usual 2pass automatic smoothness. I am puppy exhausted and relieved Bama held on today. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a wonderful Sunday!
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It was a nail biter for sure.

 

Too much going on so I haven't shaved in a few days. I'm going to get ready for Halloween with the kids and do a head shave a few times before the day. No hair makes for easier grease paint application. The 3 kids I get to trick or treat with are going as a scary killer clown, the ghost face killer from scream, and captain America. They decided I would go as a demon warrior and their mom would be a pirate. About to clip off my hair and do my first whole head shave in 5 years. Wish me luck.

 

I was sure we were going to lose. Luckily though, Bama is still in it with a comeback.