SEptember 2016 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

SEptember 17 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Route 66 Ghost Town
Schick Type G3
Stirling Unscented PSB
Clubman Special Reserve

I have to say this was the best shave I have had in a while, and I haven't been having bad shaves. Easily BBS, and it was as close automatic as I can remember with any razor. The lather was fantastic, and the Route 66 really set the stage for this shave. A little Clubman Special Reserve to finish and I am ready for a Saturday at the refinery. I hope everyone has a great day!

 

At the risk of reopening last week's can of worms with the Personna Red/Generic and the Slim at '2'...

There was a new post today on the "Shave Like Granddad" blog (http://shavelikegrandad.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-right-tool-for-job.html) where the author is talking about his experiences with a one-pass shave with cleanups. He mentions how he can't do this on his Slim at its lowest setting without irritation, but can do it on a setting of '3'. (He also mentions being able to do it on a Tech.)

My immediate thought was to go back to last week and ponder the usability of the lowest settings of a Slim (<3) and how the Personna would fare in a Slim set at '3'.

Looks like it might be time for another Shave for Science (tm)...

 

I've been a fan of folks who do that for decades!

 

I have unknowingly been participating. I have been using my GEM MMBT for a few weeks. When the blade fails I'll switch to the Schick type B and type G.

Tabac has been my soap of choice with a steady rotation of everything for aftershave.

I've started growing a mustache as well. I've never done that facial hair style so I'm going for a handlebar.

 

Go BIG or go home!

 

Thank you Jim




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

SEptember Smooth Focus

Proraso & TBS synthetic
Schick G1 & Chick blade
Alum & Wild Country AS


I haven't tried the others, but Sensitive has a great scent, lathers easy, slick and lasting. I'm going to consider another Synthetic brush as well. These things just work! So do Schick injectors. I might slip in a DE shave to compare but I can see I'd be happy only using SE's. Three passes, very little cleanup for a DFS with no errors. Quiet alum & good AS for a pleasant experience. This could be my everyday setup, if I didn't like the variety of ...Everything Else!

 

SOTD September 17, 2016

Blade: Chinese Schick
Razor: Schick G1 injector
Brush: Artisan badger
Lather: La Toja shave stick
Post: Witch hazel splash, TSD Russian Leather, Nivea sensitive balm
WTG, XTG

What a fine shave! The G1 continues to provide amazing shaves. I used a LOT more water today in face lathering the La Toja shave stick. I often have drying lather when using a shave stick, but today was better. It's a little more messy when lathering after applying the face stick. It seems the more water you use the better results. Today's lather was really terrific.

My face is still recovering after a week of shaves with the GEM MMOC. My neck was a little tender this morning but feels fine now. I used a healthy splash of witch hazel followed by TSD's Russian Leather. What a great scent! Smells like a leather shop. Nivea balm always finishes me off nicely.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

 

Saturday, SEptember 17, 2016

Doug Korn D-7
Savionniere Du Moulin
ATT SE-1 with TRIAD Rolling Hex Titanium
Feather Pro #1
Chatillon Lux Colbeck


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September 17

Razor: GEM Junior
Blade: GEM
Brush: Stirling Kong
Soap: TSD Bourbon Vanilla M-Bombed
Post: Cold water rinse, Alum block


Back to the GEM after a short break with the Executive in the name of furthering Neal's scientific research. I completely forgot about altering my passes because of my prior trouble with my chin and instead went back to my usual WTG/XTG first pass and ATG second pass. Well, apparently what I needed was just a break and to stop trying so hard. I did some serious cap riding, lowered the handle just a smidgen (a very technical term, I know) got some great audible feedback from the new blade and away I went. In the end BBS with only very minor noise from the alum on the chin. Everything was as good as I could hope for with this razor. Just apparently needed to give my brain a break from over thinking it.

 

September 17, 2016- Back To the Lab

Razor: G3 Aristocrat Adjustable
Blade: Shop-Rite Israeli Personna (3)
Brush: VdH Boar
Soap: NeutroMarvy

Following up on my own post of earlier today, I decided to try the Generic Personna blade one more time. Based on a blog post I read, I decided to see if using it in a Slim set on '3' is that much different than using it at a setting of '2'. As you probably all recall from previous notes, for some reason, using a Personna Red or Generic in a Slim set on '2' renders the blade almost ineffectual. This is not the case, however, if the blade is used in a purpose-built mild razor like a Tech or SuperSpeed.

The results- from the first stroke it was clear that the blade was performing as it should be with good reduction and audio feedback. Overall, the blade performed as could be expected and I ended up with a DFS marred only by some irritation where I got a bit overzealous. (These blades are deceptive, they will punish bad technique.)

Frankly, I'm not sure to make of it all. Based on @PLANofMAN's thread, it appears there should be no difference in blade angle/curvature, only blade gap. Apparently, though, the small difference in gap between a setting of '2' and a setting of '3' makes a big difference to the Personna Red and its Generic counterpart. The only possibility I can think of is that the difference in the settings also changes the blade exposure as a result of changing the angle between the cap and safety bar.

Note to @NCoxSTL: At the risk of invalidating your existing blade results, I'd seriously suggest making future tests at 3/6/9, rather than 2/6/9.

 

Razor: Ever-Ready SE 1914.
Blade: GEM by Personna PTFE (3)
Brush: Muhle Chrome Plated Handle 31 M 89 w/ New V2.0 Silvertip Fibre Synthetic.
Soap: Captain's Choice Bay Rum
Aftershave: Captain's Bay Rum

A DFS tonight with this combination of shaving tools. The Ever-Ready is a fine razor and very easy to navigate around the face. Captain's Choice Bay Rum is a favorite of mine.

 

I may have to start my own show for shaving science! Think it would get viewers? I'll work that in and try it. Sounds like a plan. Details to follow.

 

Changing blade exposure is a definite suspect here. And I have considered that. It is interesting that it has occurred with the Personna and not shown up (that I've noticed) with others. Maybe a second shave after finding that with a blade would help. If the "2" fails then move to "3" for an extra day. Interesting stuff. I'm still not sure why the Personnas had the issue where others haven't (like the Crystal/Qball).

 

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A rare "no-shave" day for me today for two reasons. Number one I was moving a bit slow this morning. And, the Qball on 6 yesterday really gave me a fantastic shave. While I could have shaved it wasn't a pressing need. Nice. That rarely happens.

I'll do the final Qball shave tomorrow on 9 since I'm starting vacation on Monday. I'll fill you in on all of that later on this evening or tomorrow. In the meantime, hope your weekend is great!

 

I'm not sure either. Pursuing the blade exposure theory, then I suppose it's possible that the Personna Red/Generic are a little more narrow than most blades. Under that scenario, the lower setting on the Adjustable might cause negative blade exposure.

The only way to tell for certain would be measurements, close-up photos at 2 and 3 and some photoshop to draw the relevant lines.

 

Last day of the holiday break so I decided to go all out for an epic shave. Today's razor is Dovo Bismarck 2. It was honed by Glen but has a fair amount of shaves on it. Still looks great under the loupe and is popping hair like crazy so on with the shave.

I made a ton of lather with Caste Forbes and added some lanolin. Every thing seemed right so I went for it. The edge was still very sharp and smooth but has lots a tiny bit of it smoothness. I had better than usual beard reduction and considered stopping at 3 passes but decided to press on and go for it. Finished with an outstanding BBS but had some feedback from the alum. Just missed the epic shave rating but still an outstanding shave.

Irritation A- Closeness A+ Smoothness A- Sharpness A+

 

Thirty Days Hath SEptember!



Personna. Groovy. Roll Tide!

Other than that... All is quiet in Colorado.

Have a great Sunday!