SEptember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

SEptember 13 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Razorock Don Donato SS
Schick Type E3
Stirling Unscented PSB
Aqua Velva Musk

A much better shave this morning with the E3. I did open a couple of the same spots as yesterday, but that is almost expected. Tomorrow, I plan to move onto my G, so I'll be curious to see how it compares. I finished with some drug store special Aqua Velva Musk, and am feeling ready for my day. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

Very good setup and picture.

 

Thank you, Doug!

 

SOTD September 13, 2016

Blade: GEM Stainless
Razor: GEM Micro-matic Open Comb
Brush: Satin Tip 'The Purest' synthetic
Lather: Through The Fire Fine Craft 'The Beast' sample
Post: Witch hazel splash enhanced with Barbasol Pacific Rush, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, touch-up

I am improving technique with the GEM MMOC. Better shave today than yesterday. Only one tiny weeper and less redness on my neck. Basically I have to think no pressure at all combined with a flat cap against my face. It provides a really close shave with those things in mind.

Have a great day!

 

SEptember 2016 SE Focus DETOUR

September 12

Razor: 58 Executive (Set on 2)
Blade: Crystal
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: TSD Iced Subzero
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block


Took a little detour from the SEptember focus with the GEM. Decided I would use the crystal blade along with Neal @NCoxSTL to see how it performed. I used the crystal blade once before for a two day short trial and it was a good blade. Figured I would give it a go again.

Set the Executive very mild at 2 and started off with the Crystal blade. I went back to my traditional WTG on cheeks, XTG on chin for my first pass. Had some audible feedback. Not as much as some razors, but enough to be heard. Had decent reduction, nothing to really brag about, but it did make things better. It was a pretty smooth shave, though I could feel it struggling a little around my chin where my beard is its thickest and coarsest. Second pass ATG and things seemed to be doing better. Still had some struggle around the chin, but not terrible. I think many blades will struggle when the Executive is set on 2 around my chin though so I won't hold it against the Crystal. Did some touch-up on my chin, jawline, and Adam's apple (which was a little more touch up than I usually need) and ended with a solid DFS shave. Irritation was very minimal. Even on the chin where I could tell the blade had some struggles the alum only whimpered. Overall not a bad shave with the Crystal and looking forward to trying it at 6 and 9.

I also want to note the TSD Iced Subzero lanolin based soap. WOW! Amazing stuff. If you like menthol and mint this is a GREAT soap! I commend Joanna @Queen of Blades for doing a wonderful job with her soaps! They really are top notch and you only have a limited time to get some. If you have never used her soap, especially the Iced Subzero if you like menthol, you owe it to yourself to try at least one before the shop closes!

 

September 13, 2016- Shakedown Cruise

Razor: M3 Schick Adjustable (6)
Blade: Chick (2)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: Marvy + Dove Hydrating Cream

Turned up the Schick Adjustable today from 5 to 6. I can definitely notice the additional aggression, much like changing my Slim from 5 to 6. I definitely needed to be a bit more careful today as I had a slight mental lapse and almost had a nick in one of my trouble spots. Ended up with a nice two-pass DFS, though, and still no blood.

 

There was a very long and loud meeting with the Cartel concerning my use of Injectors. Seemed the boys were as upset as you that I would do such a thing. Once I talked them into taking the noose out of the rafters and tossing those buckets of wet cement out things got a bit friendlier. It cost me two cases of Stoly to finally calm them down (translate - pass out) and see it my way. Czars are not as all powerful as we imagine, apparently. Funny, when I use pain sticks they don't have a problem at all. They do mutter something in Russian that roughly translates "good riddance" with an evil smile. Not sure what's up with that.

 

It's a definite loss to the world that the Soviets never took up the Injector razor.

 

I totally agree. If nothing else, imagine the complexity they would have tried to build into one while turning it into a totally ineffective and dangerous piece of hardware. The blades,however, would have been magnificent!

 

Shave 21
Omega 10098
Proraso Green Shaving Soap
Ceramic Suribachi bowl
Gillette New Long Comb
Astra Superior Platinum Blade.
Proraso Green Aloe and Eucalyptus Aftershave Splash

I loaded up my brush and lathered on the nice creamy foam. As I started WTG, I noticed that even though I was riding the cap, the razor felt harsh. I turned the handle to make sure the cap was on tight and found it stripped. I don't know if it is the cap or the handle that is the problem, but I was informed "oh yea, that one got knocked off the counter last night". I tightened it as much as I could to continue on with a second XTG pass. Plenty of feedback from the alum. Overall a very rough shave. I think it is due to the blade angle now that I cannot tighten up the handle. I will inspect the razor tonight, I would imagine there is a crack in the handle. Hopefully I have another handle that will fit so I can continue with the same razor / blade combo for my 30 shaves.

 

A Voskhod injector would have been a thing of beauty

 

I would have it mounted atop my cabinet.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

That's a bummer, I hope the head is OK. The new is a great shaver.

 

Sta

Staying one step ahead, constant vigilance, Stoly - critical assessment right there Aaack! You're a great judge of the human condition.

 

Smells like a Drug Store SEptember!!

September 13

Grand Blade Trial
Razor - 1962 (H1) Gillette Slim (6)
Blade - (2)
Soap - Arko
Brush - Wolf Whiskers Custom Silvertip
Post - Alum, Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Onward and forward with the Crystal blade. Decent enough finish yesterday gives a hint that this is not just a rebranded Personna Platinum. Something about it must be different whether it's the actual blank used to make the blade or just a different grind. Still a Platinum so there shouldn't be any difference there. Moving the gap to 6 on the Slim will make a difference. The only question is - better or worse?

While lathering with the Wolf I realized I should probably look into another custom brush from him. This badger knot is fantastic. It's a TGN knot so I wouldn't have to have a Wolf Whiskers handle but.....really....what's the point of not? Something to put down for future consideration. Fantastic lather as always.

The first stroke confirmed for me that this would be a better shave than yesterday. And the first pass as a whole just piled on with that confirmation. Perfectly smooth and the reduction was fantastic. The second pass just went that much better at XTG and the third ATG and Slide pass was just to touch up, really. No issues at all and even when working over the wounded area on the jawline next to my goatee I felt no discomfort. No blood, no worries. Alum proved quiet EXCEPT on that spot near my chin. Then it was a hot fire so there continues to be healing going on there. Other than that, though, this makes the top of the list for shaves I've had. Really, seriously, totally smooth and effective and I have to call it BBS. No doubt. Tremendous performance for this blade and a step above the Personna Red and Generic Red. I definitely see why some on the boards sing this blade's praises. Tomorrow at 9 we'll give it a further test.

One more day with the Crystal then on to the Q ball. Then, next week I'll be on vacation so I'll be figuring out what my camping setup will be.

​

 

Razor: Valet Auto Strop w/ Bakelite case, 1 blade bank, strop, and blades. Model C 1935-1940 Made in Montreal.
Blade: Valet (Strop)
Brush: WDC-8 Brass Handle TGN Finest
Soap: Route 66 Sea & Citrus
Aftershave: Fine American Blend
Started off by stropping the Valet blade 5 or 6 times. I don't use the strop that came with this set as our own Adam @Drygulch took the measurements I sent him from my original strop and he made me an excellent one. I may want to strop this blade a few more time before shaving, however, I did get a very close shave with a lot of feedback. I was a little difficult around the nose openings as the razor is not a good fit.
All in all a pretty good shave with a razor I haven't used very much.

 

Great shave today.

 

September 13, 2016

Thanks to the unanimous opinion of trusted SE shavers @spidey9 @Norcalnewb @clint64 @Karl G
I'm now moving to the 1911-ish Damaskeene OC.

(Which reminds me, I just may do limited shaves with it this month and move a longer trial with it into OC OCtober.)

I got this razor a couple months back and had one, maybe two shaves - which don't really count. I consider this to be my first solid testing.



2-day growth, 2-pass shave (WTG, ATG)
GEM PTFE blade (1).

The recommendation to move to this combo after the GEM Featherweight was perfect. First impressions is that this is one smooth razor.

First pass reduction was solid. Good feedback - far less of the ping, ping, ping of the 1912 GEM or the quieter Featherweight - but enough to let you know it's working . Also the same for smoothness - light years more smooth than the 1912, twice as smooth as the Featherweight. You can really tell during the ATG on the chin - I'm not perfect with the technique there and I got two weepers, but after a few ATG chin strokes, apprehension disappeared.

In my remaining shaves this week I'll focus on my overall technique not just with blade angle but also on my usual problem spots. The wider blade, compared to injectors, does cause me to adapt my approach.

Cheers!
RT

 

Got my TSD aftershave to match my Purple Rain soap. Smell is fantastic, and the 2x menthol will wake you up. @Queen of Blades, I love this stuff. (Got two other soaps also, so I have a total of four TSD soaps now, and two aftershaves. Stock up while you can, gents.)

Second shave on this razor since fixing the chips. It is way easier to fix a razor that had a great bevel, than it is too set and hone a razor from scratch. After two shaves on it, I am calling it shave ready, and moving it back to the user roll. BBS on the face, chin, and jawline. DFS on the neck. Nice cool finish, and a good shave.