SEPT 30 Day Rule/Focus Pic & Discussion Thread

But prices are high. An Arko stick cost me a pack of Kools. You don't want to know what Nancy Boy products go for.

 

I imagine Nancy Boys are quite popular in the big house.

 

Thank you. I am in Chicago for the week on business and appreciate all of the good travel wishes today. I have my blades with me to start my new focus and look forward to October.

 

Will you be hitting up Q Brothers while you're there?

 

Well one thing I do is always try to schedule three shaves with a setup. First impressions are ok, but by the third shave I usually have a much better idea. Now, there are those shaves that you know from the moment you start you're in trouble (usually involving Chinese blades or Russian razors), and in my case I know I'm in trouble just by deciding what to use. I'd say you've done quite well, though, in getting through that many setups in a month and obviously learning from it and gaining skill as well! Well done!

One plug to @GDCarrington. It has to be said that the reason you have come so far so fast is.........you know where I'm going.......the big T. Technique! Your first 30 days was all about nailing down the technique and it is that base that allows you to roam far and wide to find what works and what doesn't. Keep the technique solid and the sky's the limit!

 

If I can get some free time. We have a heavily scheduled week which could make it tough.

 

Ouch, ouch, and ouch. Best of luck and well wishes! I suspect once you get through the initial pain and frustration with the surgery you'll find you have the knee of a 20 year old! Just remember to lead with that leg from then on!

 

Nick Shaves latest video is a tour of the store and I had to keep cleaning drool off my screen.

 

Vince, I hope you feel better soon. And thank you very much for being on of the first to encourage me in the focus thread. It's been a great two months that have taught me a lot. Not to mention a lot of fun with some great guys. Queue the group hug comments.

 

They have come a long way with knee replacement technology and it's not as huge an ordeal as it used to be. I've had those cortisone shots in my knees and shoulders over the years and they do feel great for a few days and offer some relief for several weeks. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

This month has been a great focus for me as well. I had a pile of SE razors that I totally ignored until this month. In fact, I had to buy blades for some of them to do this focus.
Her's my recap:
Week one was the only disappointment of the month. I started out with my Valet Autostrop and Feather blades. I could not get a smooth shave with this razor and eventually gave up after three days. (Later on in the month, I found an old thread that might have explained the reason for my rough shaves. It turns out I bought Feather carbon steel blades on eBay, not realizing that there are two versions of this Feather blade. I need to find the stainless version and try again).
I split the next six days between my Schick Model G and my Model B Repeating Razor. I was able to get some very nice shaves using the Chinese Schick blades. By the end, I was getting two pass DFS with very little touch up.
The rest of the month was dedicated to a variety of SE razors. I did three days each with my Ever Ready 1912, Gem Micromatic Open Comb, G-Bar, Gem Push button and Ever Ready 1924. My first impression was not good as I had poor shaves with lots of irritation on the first two shaves. This thread helped me to figure out the correct angle on these razors and I started "riding the cap". Once I figured out the angle, I started getting consistent DFS performance here as well.
My take away for the month is that SE razors have a place in my rotation. I don't see them ever replacing my DE razors as I can get a much closer BBS with the right DE and a sharp blade.
This has been a fun learning experience and I look forward to October.
Thanks guys!

 

Kerry,
It is encouraging that you have a diagnosis. I have friends and relatives that have had the same diagnosis and knee replacement. They were all amazed by the improvement. I have hiked with a friend that used to not even be able to climb a few steps. It will get better. You will continue to be in my prayers.

 

I just watched the video. I need to find a way to get there!

 

Did you (as I did) get the warm fuzzies looking at that wall of brushes?

 

I did. I also like the looks of all of the samplers of products that I have been curious about.

 

wow, get away from this group for just an hour or so and it's like the earth has spun through a couple revolutions already!

Sick Bay
This is the only group I know that can show as much empathy for a guy with a cold (me) as they do a guy who's experiencing bone-on-bone erosion in his knee!

You guys are amazing, the best.

Kerry, you've heard it all already from this group...most of us our age are hearing about no end of guys getting their knee(s) replaced. But you'll make the right decision for you.

Technique, Technique, Technique or Technique Trumps Tools
Anyone who falls into this Den of Hysteria cannot leave without having heard the Three T Mantra. Each one who spends any focused time to practice it - learns to live it and can take on any razor / blade by focusing on 3Ts - while fully acknowledging the existence of YMMV - we may be able to work the tool but not every item will become our favorite hardware. And @NCoxSTL is right for the regular reminder - we owe the theory to @GDCarrington , its daily reminder to @Bama Samurai, and our responsibility to impart it to each new traveler through this thread.

Comraderie
As the popularity of this thread grows, I'm finding it more and more difficult to get to read each post, digest it and offer a cogent response or effective encouragement (or a good natured dig) - like you all do for me. (Yet another impressive attribute about Bama S. that he finds a way to do it.)

Success (of the thread) does have its challenges, but we won't think any less of each other if we miss opportunity to comment from time to time. ( "Think any less of you? Why of course not. How could I ever think any less of you?" Groucho taps his cigar, wiggles eyebrows.)

Shenanigans
The glue that holds it together or the grease for the skids.
In respectful doses its probably what keeps me around as much as the shaving advice.

- So watch out for the group hug while using Nancy Boy in the big house MrC;
- Please CMorris, at least use protective clothing while dumpster diving;
- and to all - maybe its just me, but how come Crazy Ivan and Neal never seem to be in the same place at the same time? You know, sought of like Superman and Clark Kent....hmmm the things that keep me awake at night.

 

I read your post to the guys in my pod and this was their reaction.

 

Ah, my people!

 

Some mysteries are better left unsolved. Too much info leaks and I have to send Igor to clean it up. And nobody wants that. Not even Mrs. Igor.

 

Thanks for your kind words. Technique, Camraderie, Shenanigans... Have a cookie!