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February 2023 Gentlemanly Restraint Until Month End (GRUME)

2-26-23 Sun.

FEB GRUME still in

Razor: Merkur Progress
Blade: Astra SP(2)
Soap: Ghost-town Barber
Brush: RR Amici
Post: Clubman splash
20230226_202850.jpg

3 passes (4-4-2) left me with a DFS+ neck is a touch itchy...think I used a bit too much pressure.

Be well
Jay
 
Day 26, 92.9% complete.

Preshave: Hot washcloth
Soap: Saponificio Varesino Cubebe
Brush: Yaqi 24mm synthetic cashmere
Razor: GC.84 SB, Al Handle, Astra SP #5
Bowl: Turkish copper
Post-shave: Nivea 2-in-1 Aftershave

Only needed a basic shave, but got a great bowl lather, and had the time to use it. Got a comfortable near-BBS.
 
And with that, I am out...

A bit of a strange way to get out of the month of restraint, with more regret than progress.

Ok, I noticed DE blades had left UK eBay so I sent a message to a seller, and he said that pretty much overnight UK eBay took down all listings for blades. They even went to the extent for removing previous records of past sales as well.

One of the last listings left were for some Treet Platinums for a good price (200 for just under £8), and I purchased them, but the strangest thing happened. They took away the sale. I've bought countless from eBay over the years, this is the first time it has happened.

So even though I bought something and ended the GRUME, the listing for the item was taken down.

View attachment 1612521

There were some other blades I was planning to buy but no longer can. It's still possible to buy blades from abroad but they are a lot more expensive with a lot less choice than what there was before.

I'll use one example. A few days ago you could get 200 Treet Classics for £8, today the best deal is over £20 for the same number of blades from RBC. It's not great but what can you do.

I'm anticipating foreign sales of blades will be closed soon as well, so I am going to expand my stocks whilst I still can.

A lengthy explanation for my departure, but I had to get it off my chest.

Thanks for having me, I won't be around for next month's GRUME but I might throw my name in for April.

Good luck to the rest of you fine gentlemen for the last few days.
GRUME or not I would stock deep. Does Connaught still sell blades, might have a look there. I believe it has to do with current UK regulation to proof your legal age upon delivery.
 
Date27.02.2023
365 days of shaving58/365 (100%)
GRUYERE58/365 (100%)
GRUME February27/28 (100%)
02/12 (100%)
Other participations
  • Shave of the Week Society (SWS)
  • Discovery Blade Adventure
  • One Blade in February (OBiF)

Passes3
XWTGCheeks: N-S
Neck: N-S
WXTGCheeks L: W-E
Cheeks R: E-W
Neck: S-N
XATGCheeks: S-N
Neck: S-N (slanted)

RazorBladeBrush
Swedish SwingTiger Platinum (10)Omega Super Badger
Pre-shaveSoap & BowlPost-shave
Cold splash
Proraso Green
Dutchy Bergamot
Hybrid lathering
Cold splash

EfficiencyQuality
8/10 (~20 minutes)10/10 (clean)
EffectivenessComfort
6 (DFS-/CCS+)6.5/10 (Comfortable)

Notes to today’s shave:

Still in and one more day to go! Keep it up gentlemen!!

Went back to the Swing but the blade was less effective this time around even though stubble was less than yesterday. Previous shaves had been amazing so I am putting this on the blade’s performance. I have loaded the blade for one final time into the Old Type to close off OBiF for tomorrow.

Enjoy your shave.
 
GRUME or not I would stock deep. Does Connaught still sell blades, might have a look there. I believe it has to do with current UK regulation to proof your legal age upon delivery.

Strange times when in a GRUME thread there is the call to buy more gear, but in the UK we are in strange times for a number of things but I never thought it would get to a stage where buying shaving paraphernalia like old 1920's Carbon Steel blades can not be done for health and safety reasons. I'm all for the latter, but it seems a strange rule to enforce nonetheless.

What can I do aside from add to my stock of blades and move forward? Yes, Connaught have a good selection of blades and I will pick up a few things soon. Thanks for the consideration, though.

I've greatly appreciated the kinship in this thread, I will be back for April.
 
Muhle/MdC Mondays
Still In GRUME, GRUYERE, 365 Shaves, Fruity February & OBIF

PXL_20230227_040952126.jpg

RR Hawk with Feather AC blade #27, Muhle XL STF brush, MdC Rose & orange essential oil

First, this soap is exceptional. The scent is authentic and lingers throughout the shave. Because I am using a slightly "difficult" blade, I wanted a very slick lather. I really was amazed how much water this soap can utilize and still have a rich luxurious effect. A couple drops of orange essential oil added a few tart "joyful" sensations while stirring the lather.

Secondly, if the month had 31 days, I would continue to use the blade in the OBIF challenge. I'm going to keep the blade for future use but I am REALLY missing my DE razors!!! The Feather AC blade does not slice whiskers as well as when new, It feels like there is some scraping cuts also. I can work with that with careful technique.

Third, the Muhle brush - anyone that has the XL STF knows how well it performs.

Tomorrow is the last day of February GRUME, Fruity February and OBIF. For me, the entree will be Orange Essence Tallow Tabac served on a Simpson Trafalgar T3 brush.

Please take care of yourself... and each other.
NOTE: Restraint is starting to feel like a Zen flow day by day.
 
I didn’t see a link here, forgive me if this is a duplicate.
This restraint is for March 1-31, 2023.
If you're seeing this late and you've made no purchases in March, feel free to jump in. Registration closes on the 15th.

Have what you need and use what you have
.
That is our definition of "Restraint". The idea is to use, learn about and enjoy what you have, restraining yourself from making frivolous purchases. This monthly restraint is perfect for those who want to practice restraint in bite-sized chunks, or have failed the yearly or quarterly sabbatical and (still) want to curb their ADs despite the setback. Keep fighting the urges!

If you fail out of the GRUME, please tell the group, take your (friendly) lumps and continue to play along at home. There will be Roll Calls during the restraint, whenever there is a failure; a perfect GRUME would be one in which there are no Roll Calls! Check-ins, especially with SOTD info and pics, are encouraged and mutual support is appreciated. :)

All are welcome!

Rules:


1.a. If you were in the February GRUME, 3/1 is your restock date for any needed product (i.e., it's not an excuse for treewhaling).
1.b. If you were not in the February GRUME, you do not get a restock date in March; plan ahead and see Rule 1.c., below.
1.c. Members should have the necessary supplies to last the duration of the Restraint, but this is a Restraint, not a Sabbatical. If something breaks or runs out and you have no suitable or usable replacement, it can be replaced.

2. No personal shaving purchases in the month. Members may purchase shaving related items for others to encourage the hobby/lifestyle (PIF or Gifting). Members are not allowed to request any form of compensation in return, nor are they allowed to sample or test those gift items.

3.a. Gift Cards (including eBay bucks, Amazon gift cards, credit card reward points, etc.) cannot be redeemed for shaving items, even if the cards were purchased and/or received in previous months.
3.b. The "Birthday Rule": Members are not allowed to ask for (or even hint at) shaving gear as gifts for any occasion.

4. Any shaving-related services, like replating or restorations, cannot be arranged or paid for in the month of the restraint if they are not strictly necessary. Paying for honing service, so that your SR is usable, is acceptable.

5. You are encouraged to engage in trades (especially with each other), but don't enter any PIFs. Signing up for a product waitlist (without placing a deposit) is acceptable.

6. If you have to ask, it probably will put you out. That said, this is a Gentlemanly Restraint - use your own best judgement and integrity to self-assess based on the rules above.

Exceptions:

1. Members may participate in B&B Group Buys or B&B branded shaving item purchases, because these may be limited items and all support this common ground. They must be advertised on behalf of B&B to qualify. In an effort to stay true to restraints commitments, please limit B&B purchases to one (1) shaving item per month, including contributions to B&B! (All Non-Shaving B&B items are fair game.)

2. During the season, Sue Moore Items are all exempt from the-no buying rules. Treewhaling on anything Sue Moore-related is encouraged.

3. Members who are in a Quarterly or Yearly sabbatical are allowed to exercise their documented exceptions for those events without failing the monthly restraint. Please note your participation in these other restraints when you add your name to the list.

Mods:

Please leave this thread in the General Shaving Discussion forum until the 15th so we can get as many as possible to see the GRUME. Afterwards, feel free to move the thread to Brotherhoods and Clubs. Thanks!

Tips:

Check out this Wiki article for tips on how to survive a Restraint (or GRUME). It includes a comprehensive checklist to help you figure out whether you've got everything you need for the month.
http://wiki.badgerandblade.com/Help:...ve_a_Restraint

In addition, mute (or, better, unsubscribe from) all those tempting email lists. Get rid of your eBay alerts. Tune out the promotional messages. If you don't look, you won't buy.

How to Join:

Copy the entire list below
and add your number and name to the bottom. If you're in another restraint/sabbatical/challenge, please make a note beside your name. Also, you are welcome to update your signature to show you are in the restraint; for example, "GRUME - [Month] [Year] #1". To do so, click Settings at the top of the forum and then click Edit Signature on the left.

1)
2) Multum in parvo
3)
4)
 
Last shave for February and still out! The fruits of my treewhaling have started to trickle in, so I shaved with the Shannon's this morning. Far be it for me to encourage any wavering, but if you have to restock soap tomorrow*, then put some Shannon's in your cart: this stuff is fantastic!


* Like that would ever be necessary :p
 
2-27-23 Mon.

FEB GRUME still in.
Early start to FFFMM 1/31

Razor: Merkur Progress
Blade: Treet platinum(1)
Soap: Mudder Focker
Brush: RR Bruce
Post: Non

3 passes all on setting 1 = DFS. Tiniest bit of against the grain stubble left but the shave was ohh so smooth. It has been an hour and a half and my skin feels fantastic. No post shave needed.
20230227_215121.jpg

Be well
Jay
 
Day 27, 96.4% complete.

Preshave: Hot washcloth
Soap: Saponificio Varesino Cubebe
Brush: Yaqi 24mm synthetic cashmere
Razor: GC.84 SB, Al Handle, Astra SP #6
Bowl: Turkish copper
Post-shave: Nivea 2-in-1 Aftershave

Another comfortable near-BBS. When February is over, I might stick to the "soap of the week" routine, instead of asking "what will I use tonight?"

A bit of a strange way to get out of the month of restraint, with more regret than progress.

Sorry to hear you've been messed about like that, @zoidberg.

My first reaction (to the eBay and Amazon changes) was "... now I will have to buy more blades PDQ!"

I already had a few bouts of Blade Backup Disorder, though... I shave every day, most blades last (at least) 7 shaves, so I need 52 a year. Current inventory is about 880 Astra SP, at least 200 Wizamets, 90-odd Nacets, plus odds and ends of less favoured types.

If I stick to favourites, then I've got (1170 / 52), = a 22½ year supply. I think that is going to be "enough".
 
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