OCtober 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

I think that will be my next Stirling(Gentleman) By the time I finish the Barbershop, it should be cold enough to enjoy the warmth SG brings, and I'll have my Clubman going as well.

 

I smoke 2 cigars per day in decent weather. The wife is not a fan of that tobacco smell, or maybe just the smoke. I love the smell of humidors and cigar shops. I would like to try so many soaps and the SG is on the list as well as the XXX.

A few post back it was said that feather blades were 3-5x the price of top tier blades. I bought a 50 pack of SS platinum coated for under $13 shipped, without searching much. I found the GSBs for $15/100, and that was through a list on TSD. That put them less than 2x the price. Both seem quite reasonable considering what some others cost. I have 10 packs of Trig and Treet to try but buying packs of 10 increase cost exponentially or so it seems.

I'm happy so far with the Feathers but I need to do some comparison over the next few months. DE blades and set ups are so much more affordable after initial set up costs than almost any other form of shaving. The other gear and wanting to buy more seem to overshadow blade prices.

Still glad your feather cut and didn't muck up the face. With straights that always weighs in my mind.


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Finally got my shave in with the razor I honed Friday. Best edge I have done to date. W. M. Elliot & Co razor, 1, 3, and 5k Naniwia, then Soft, Hard, and Black Arkansas. Finished with chromium oxide, hemp linen, and Chromexcel horse. Took about 2.5 hours overall, but a nice smooth shave. I am really satisfied with using edges I created. Just shy of BBS, and pretty smooth.

 

So probably a stupid question but decided based on great reviews here and elsewhere to buy a Merkur 34c thinking it was an OC but I must have misunderstood. I guess it's a modified OC with the bottom part providing the safety bar? Still I'm not disappointed by the purchase. I'm loving this Custom Shaving knurled razor and while a 3 piece I guess their pretty similar.

One day I will get the Parker to work for me. Maybe in the November focus group.


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You don't have to worry about loosing focus again. It is all part of the the Sith Jedi training.

 

Day 2 with the DR Harris cream and today I tried face lathering. I have always bowl lathered this cream. I was surprised how well it worked but as usual with face lathering I had to reload the brush after 2 1/2 passes.

Today was a W&B wedge, yes it is cool and yes it takes a good edge, just a not quite as good as my top modern straights. No blood today and just a tickle from alum, just missed the baby. All in all an enjoyable shave to start the week.

 

All razors are the same. Simply a means of dragging a razor bevel over the skin at low angle of attack. If you ride the cap, the Parker will work tomorrow.

 

Not this again...

 

OC versus closed has no effect on aggressiveness. OC leaves more soap behind, and better accommodates longer growth. It does not increase gap or exposure, and it doesn't change geometry.

 

Thanks for the responses. Good to learn new things.


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OCtober-een!

October 16

Grand Blade Trials - Pause for OCtober

Razor - Fatip Piccolo
Blade - (2)
Soap - Proraso Red Tub
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Witch Hazel

Time for a pause in the Trial again to join in OCtober! Wanted to use the Fatip for the second time. The first try with it was awesome and I want to confirm that and get some Russian steel against my face before I have withdrawals! Also want to try the Proraso Red, as I have only ever used the Green. I also have the White to try so that will be coming up.

My first impression of the soap is that it has a mild sandalwood scent, which is what is is supposed to be. I was perhaps a bit disappointed it wasn't a stronger scent but that's ok. The only other sandalwood I've used was the St. Charles Shave Sandalwood with Lanolin and it had a very nice and robust scent. Unfortunately, the lather wasn't. (I probably need to revisit) I loaded the Proraso onto the Wolf and got a great lather out of it. But I also got a funny smell going as well. I'll worry about that after the shave.

The Fatip is one mean razor. And I love it even more the second use. The Voskhod just sings in this razor. Literally. It's loud, it's effective, it's in your face aggressive and that's while riding the cap. Add a little angle and you get the wilder side. Three passes and the baby showed up begging to be acknowledged so I wouldn't try any more. Fantastic finish but boy I can tell the alum would tear me a new one. So, we'll just go witch hazel for the night and call it good. Even now, about 15 minutes later, I can feel a light burn on my neck and face. This razor gets it done and tests your manhood at the same time. Love it even more.

With this much irritation, though, I'm thinking a less sharp blade might be a bit better so I'm debating on blade choice for the next time I use it. I'm planning on something else tomorrow then back to blade trials Tuesday so it may be next week before I give the Fatip another run.

Hope you had a great Sunday! Mine was different. The Allstar BBQ for the top performing sales reps at work over the summer was today and I was the top dog. We went to Escape a Room and had a lot of fun with that then off to eat some fantastic BBQ in downtown STL. All in all an enjoyable day followed by a great shave.

Oh, I forgot about breakfast......Ivan had it ready when I woke up. He can be so considerate at times.

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Razor: Gillette Goodwill 1930's Ball End Open Comb (Made in Canada) PIF from @Spud from PEI.
Blade: Personna Platinum (4)
Brush: Franks Shave Finest Faux Ebony (Travel)
Soap: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle
Aftershave: Route 66 Bourbon Jungle Balm

 

I typically see feathers go from $30 to $50 per hundred. And while they are nice blades there are blades that can be had for $10 per hundred that cut my whiskers just as nicely. Blade of course are the biggest YYMV item, but for me the feather just aren't as good value. I have a vast stockpile of blades, if you would like to try a few other brands shoot me pm. It only takes one first class stamp to send a half dozen blades taped to an index card in the mail.

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I have a 34c and it is a great razor. You will enjoy it for sure.

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SOTD October 17, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick L1 injector
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Stirling Barbershop
Post: Witch hazel splash, Stirling Barbershop aftershave, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

Terrific shave this morning. Stirling continues to be a great choice.

 

October 17, 2016
Timeless OC .95 Gap with Triad Ti
Feather (3)
Zenith B02 Boar
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood
Witch Hazel
Fine Platinum

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Looking good Clint.

 

Thank you Doug.

 

Menthol Monday, October 17, 2016

Rubberset 400 #3 Omega 10066
Stirling Soap Co.- Margaritas In The Arctic
Wolfman WR1- OC with Darwin Deluxe Titanium
Personna 74 #14
Margaritas In The Arctic Witch Hazel
Barrister and Mann Reserve Cool


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Final test for the DR Harris cream, into a very hot scuttle. I did not expect this cream to hold up under the heat but it surprised me. It performed better than under normal or no heat. Since I didn't have confidence it would hold up under the heat I went with a DE, Futur, for today's shave. Actually I was also pressed for time.

In the beginning as with most soaps it looked bubly at first in the very hot scuttle but when it hit my face it turn to a very warm creamy lather. Four quick passes with the Futur and I am BBS with no irritation.