SEPT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

SEptember Focus Day 4:

Homemade PS Oil
Simpsons Commodore X3 Best Badger
L'Occitane Cade SC
Gem Micromatic
Stirling Unscented PSB
TOBS Sandalwood AS

After two shaves that resulted in some irritation, I went back to basics today: slow down, watch the angles, short, deliberate strokes, and light pressure. I also kept the shave to a single pass with some clean up. I ended up with a CCS this morning and no irritation. I did have a couple of weepers, which just seem to happen without me noticing while using the razor.

I started the shave with the Cade shaving cream, which was very enjoyable. The scent is different from anything else I have. I had loaded my brush up a little heavy, especially for a one pass shave, so I had tons of lather available. The post shave feel is nice, too. Over all, it is a nice shave cream.

 

09/04/2015
Razor – Wolfman OC with Triad Helix SS
Blade – Gillette 7 O’clock Blue (2)
Brush – Rudy Vey with TGN Finest
Lather – B&M Latha
Post - Witch Hazel & Captain’s Choice Bay Rum



Since I started a few days early on the focus, this morning was my 7th shave with the Wolfman OC. Another fantastic 3 pass near BBS shave. This is really one smooth razor and very efficient. Tomorrow I will switch over to the Mongoose with a Feather Pro Blade for the next week. I am really interested in how these two compare. Finished off with a splash of CC Bay Rum and I am so ready for the weekend. Happy Friday everyone.

 

Be scared....be very scared!!

Just kiddin....keep a light touch and follow the sound Luke...

 

I love the TSD stuff too! I have several of the AS splash and the M-Bomb. I completely agree that ISZ is absolutely amazing! My favorites are the ISZ and the Bourbon Vanilla. I got the BV without menthol so I could make it my way with the M-Bomb. Some days you feel like a chill, some days you don't. Definitely encourage anyone that has not tried TSD goods to go and grab some samples . . . definitely well worth it!

 

SOTD
September 4, 2015
Prep: Hot Shower. Axe Energizing Face Wash Boost
Razor: Mongoose B3 Dr. Bomber Handle
Blade: Feather SuperPro
Brush: L'Occitane Plisson
Lather: Pré de Provence No 63
Post: Thayers Cucumber WH. Gold Bond Ultimate
Aftershave: Folsom & Co. Shady Past
It was no accident that I had a great head shave yesterday. Pré de Provence No 63 post shave is fantastic. Mongoose/Super Pro combo is the best. I'm so tried today! Luckily I have a 4 day weekend.
Never let the things you WANT
Make you forget the things you HAVE

 

Well day 4 pretty much same as yesterday.... 2 pass with a touch up around jaw line and its off to work.although I did notice some tugging going on this morning so maybe time to change the blade (that will have to wait till pay day).and good morning gentleman

 

September 30 Day Focus -- Blade Sample
Sept. 4

Razor -- Lord L6
Blade -- Derby
Brush -- VDH Boar
Soap -- Stirling Gin and Tonic
Post -- Cold water splash and WH, M-Bombed TSD Bourbon Vanilla AS



First shave with the Derby and this one better get better. Had some decent beard growth because the last shave with the SuperMax Titanium was not as close as others recently. So in doing my usual first pass, WTG on most of the face, XTG on neck and chin, it seemed to tug the entire way through. I played with the angle and things only got worse. So went back to the angle I knew from other blades and made it through the first pass. No weepers or nicks or anything but seemed to be a lot of tugging to get through. Definitely not a good sign as I frequently skip a shave due to time and will have more than one day's growth to deal with at a shave. (Likely the case coming up, so we will see if the Derby can handle it or if I will have to pull out the GSB to get through). The second pass was smoother. Some definite irritation though. Outcome of the shave was good, however. A close shave probably in the DFS+ range, but was not the most fun getting there. Hopefully shave 2 with the blade will be better.

 

Day two with my Schick G1 and I'm starting to like it. I am getting very nice two pass shaves with some light touch up. I think this baby will join my rotation with the DE's. Have a great day.!
Still keeping it simple.

 

I went up to the office and picked up the PAA soap. They'd even included a one use sample of the Otra AS since I'd mentioned that to them. Popped open that soap and thought wow seaweed. :-/ so I go pick up breakfast and come home. Checked out the AS and that got me excited for the shave today. Took my time whipping up the lather. Needed a good amount of additional water. Onto the shave. Threw a new Walgreens club 35 blade in the r41. Not the smoothest feeling shave. WTG for the first pass and my neck was smoother than my face. Very confused at this time. Pass 2 XTG and Pass 3 halfway between XTG/ATG. That second pass still left whiskers on my cheeks! What is going on? Ended up completely BBS on the shave. Not sure how. Think I may have seen a nick bleed through the lather for a moment but it was gone by the time I hit that spot again. Completely bewildering shave to me. BBS without my cheeks losing whiskers on 2 passes. My neck was a bit irritated too. Not much sting off this otra AS and the smell is intoxicating. Off I go for errands

 

I just ordered more TSD products last week and didn't order Yin Yang soap. Is there a certain smell to it?

 

So I'm not reAlly following the thead right now, im 10 pages or so behind. Good read for the airport in a few days. Did a two pass DFS. Changed the blade, and used an Astra Platinum. Three weepers. A few observations: while I can get a good shave with a DE, my shadow comes in a lot sooner than with a straight. It is funny to me how many razors everyone is trying to squeeze in this month. Normally I am one of the few trying to do five razors in a month. Aloha!

 

Out of town for a couple of days. Had a quick shave with the Gillette Stainless in my Fatboy this morning. Did a face lather with the Proraso Sandalwood and my Vulfix Super Badger. Didn't get near enough moisture in the lather, but it gave good protection. Near BBS after 2 passes and minor touchup. Brought my Old Type with me and the VDH boar brush and C.O. Bigelow cream. We'll see how I do with face lathering. Back in my den for Tuesday morning. Y'all enjoy!

 

Happy Friday Gents! Strangely, this morning my face looked and felt normal, despite yesterday's harsh shave. I am switching to a new blade today, and will be determined to have a great shave!

 

I only a have 3 SE razors which I will use for 3 weeks, then finish off with the one I like best.
Aloha. Enjoy the beauty of the ocean.

 

So many Single Edge razors this month (SE-ptember... I get it.). Regrettably, I find myself without the use of traditional SE razor—although I think if I dug deep enough I'd be able to locate a 1912 GEM somewheres in the storage archives.
That being said, I could argue that every straight razor I use qualifies as the 'single-edged' razor in its original form...but I won't.

I am awaiting the arrival of a spectacularly-scary straight razor (courtesy of fellow TSD enabler, entropy49—Mike) that sort of raises the bar on how intimidating a straight razor can be.
The razor is a Masto Livi custom. 8/8' (1.0" wide blade), Spanish point, half hollow, Olivewood scales.
As Mike describes, using this razor is "...Like shaving with a meat cleaver. An HHT-5+ meat cleaver!"

Here is the Italian Behemoth next to a Wonderedge razor of standard proportions...

So what does HHT mean? It stands for 'hanging hair test'—a non-standard method of determining edge sharpness by how effortlessly a blade's edge cut through a hand-held single hair placed against the edge. A scale of 0-5 is often used,with five being the sharpest.
Heres how one shaving site described the variances in the Hanging Hair Test:

• HHT-0 - shave: The hair can be shaved immediately at the holding point. This is strictly speaking not a true HHT, but it does tell us that the edge is capable of shaving.
• HHT-1 - violin : The hair doesn't cut, but it "plays violin" with the edge. This is due to the shingles catching the edge, but it's not sharp enough to penetrate. On a full hollow razor, a faint ringing sound can be heard. On all razors it can be felt with the fingertips that hold the hair.
• HHT-2 - split: When it is dragged across the edge, the edge catches the hair and splits it lengthwise.
• HHT-3 - catch&pop: When it is dragged across the edge a bit, the edge catches the hair and pops it. The severed part will jump away.
• HHT-4 - pop: The hair is popped immediately when it touches the edge. It still jumps away.
• HHT-5 - silent slicer: The hair falls silently as soon as it touches the edge.

I'm not a big proponent on the reliability of the HHT as far as one achieving comfortable shave resulting from a higher number. I've had razors that easily hit the HHT 4 mark that were uncomfortable shavers. I've had HHT 2 & 3s razors that were dreamy smooth.

Well ,with all this blather being said, I know this incoming custom razor shall be extremely sharp and large.

I'll have it for seven consecutive days of shaving. Using it will require some serious FOCUS on my part. Not 30 days of focus....simply seven.
Hopefully I'll live to tell.

 

Thanks for this information. I didn't know any of it before.

 

The scent is described as lavender and lime but I get a lot more lime than lavender. Like most citrus scents it's gone to my sense of smell by the time the shave is over. I also have the TSD Signature Scent and really like it as well. It's a very interesting take on Bay Rum.

 

Thank very much for your information @clint64. Much appreciated.

 

September 3, 2015

Single-Edge SEptember
Injectors and perhaps a GEM

During this first week, my first with injectors, I’ll look to familiarize myself with them by starting with one that has been described as mild and perhaps move to experiment with others along the aggressiveness spectrum. I’ll be doing SEs all month.

Hot Shower, Morning Shave
Soap: Proraso Green
Brush: Omega Pro 48
Razor: Schick Eversharp Type I2
Blade: Schick Injector (China) (2)
TSD Witch Hazel
Aftershave Cream: Proraso
After Shave: Proraso Green

After three great shaves with the J3 - "Golden 500” I’ve followed with two shaves with an I2 - another hydro-magic Schick with a reputation for a mild shave, similar to the J3.

After getting indoctrinated to the shorter and rectangular handle of the I2 on the first shave (which was very good), this second shave was ...well no stubble was left standing and none have appeared in the 5 hours since. Call it what you like, but if this lasts until dinner with Mrs. F. tonight - I’ll call it...


I will be looking to spend a lot more time with these two razors in the future, but I’ll be moving on sometime this 3-day weekend to the next Focus razor a Schick G1. I’m anxious to continue reading reviews from those of you presently using it and will join you soon.

Have a great Labor Day weekend and many thanks to all those who toil through an honest day of work for an honest day of compensation!

Cheers!
RT