July 2017 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

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Welcome to July 2017!!! And what’s special about July? Why, CINCO DE JULIO!!!!!!!!!



Our old pal Slash McCoy shows off his popsicle stick razor shave that inspired a number of us last year to make our own and declare July 5th as the day we’d all give it a shot. If memory serves, nine or us tried it out and all nine did survive and with no blood that I remember. Or can dig out of the history. So, for those who are so inclined, get a couple of popsicle sticks, a DE blade, a stapler and join us on Cindo de Julio for the second annual celebration of semi-insanity and shenanigans!!


Now, as always, there is no need to participate in that particular event. And, if you have no straight razor experience I might even discourage it. And, as always, any use of items not normally used in shaving to try and perform a stunt shave is not advised, suggested, nor approved by The Shave Den or any of those affiliated in it in an official capacity. Having said that, let us know if you’re joining in on the 5th!


Alright, with that out of the way, let’s proceed to the business of July 2017!!!


Welcome back or welcome for the first time!! Wondering what the heck a 30 Day Rule or Focus is? Well, let’s let the one, the only, the legendary and mystical @Bama Samurai remind us. Please rise and remove your hats and hold your favorite razor aloft in tribute. We’ll pause for a moment of revered silence.


HEY! I said pause for revered silence! Ok, now you can proceed.

The 30 Day Rule (designed to build solid technique or learn new technique)

1 brush, 1 soap, 1 brand of blades, 1 razor, 30 Days. The rule is really that simple. It seems boring, but this is probably the most straightforward way to learn for a brand new shaver. This is the exercise that really allowed me to clearly see the interplay between the four elements. It is highly recommended for newly converted shavers and more experienced shavers who have a problem that defies resolution. This exercise eliminates variables and will likely solve any problem you may have, with a strict scientific approach.Any thing that strays from these simple guidelines is not a rule, but rather a focus (not that there's anything wrong with that!)

The 30 Day Focus (more flexible, for exploring and comparing)

This is a less rigorous exercise, designed for exploration and comparison of gear and technique. This is the most common exercise on the thread. Generally the elements are rotated one by one to allow clear observation. Examples of focus areas include brush types, blades, soaps, razor variants, or technique foci as a standalone.

These are the suggested guidelines, and serve as a starting point for the discussion each month. Again, if you want to follow the theme in some way feel free. But if you are on a Rule or Focus that doesn’t include the theme we’re totally fine with that. Most of all remember – this is about learning to use the tools and improving our skills so that TECHNIQUE TRUMPS TOOLS!!


Here are the rules. Those not following the rules will be subject to penalties to include a visit from Ivan or Igor to correct that stinkin’ thinkin’!


1. New Members always welcome. Start anytime.

2. Experienced Members also always welcome. Notice I stopped calling us “old”?
3. Respect everyone
4. Follow the rules of the forum
5. All razor types and styles welcome
6. Any criticism of Russian steel of any kind will be met with swift and ferocious retribution. Ok, so maybe not so swift. The guys have to sober up first. And ferocious? Well, at least slightly uncomfortable to listen to. Plus their breath can kill charging bears.

7. Any criticism of Feather blades is also subject to the same kind of almost uncomfortable retribution. The Yakuza has started mixing their sake with the vodka from the Cartel boys. Let’s just say it seems to have calmed them down.

Let's have some great shaves people! And let’s get it started with a group hug!

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Im looking forward to finally getting in on popsicle stick shaves!

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Oh, and I am focusing on not buying any new soaps this month. It's gonna be hard...

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I will spend the first week in July on vacation in Phuket I will bring and DE and a pain stick. Once I am back home it will be comparing finishing stones for my straight razors.

 

I'm on board with Cinco de Julio this year! I am also going to continue with my shave until it don't shave no more focus. Looking forward to another great month!

 

Guess I will build a popsicle razor....

 

I am in for July. I'll continue my June focus of working on some samples and trying to further deplete that side of my arsenal. I have some new soaps and splashes that need trying out and those will get some usage. It'll be a loose focus for me.

I am definitely OUT on the popsicle stick craziness. I'll watch with giddiness as you all manifest your crazy on the forum.

It'll be a good month. Cheers!

 

I'm in, but I'm not sure what I'm doing yet. Definitely a birthday shave on the 12th with my birth quarter Slim and definitely no popsicle sticks, however.

 

I have a few new razors that I will be trying out. An English #58 Aristocrat, A Milord, A Gem Damaskeene, and maybe I'll throw in an Injector to close out the month.

 

Count me in for July less the popsicle shave. After so many months it keeps getting harder to come up with a focus. With some thought, I will focus on Tallow Shave Soaps for July. I should be able to make dent in some of the soap inventory.

 

I'm in. Won't be able to have a true '30 Day focus' on one thing. I'll focus on my NEW LC I've been saving, but will be going on vacation starting on the 17th for a few weeks and won't be using the NEW on my travels or necessarily shaving every day, either. Will run a variety of blades through it for as many days as I get in with it this month. I'll make a popsicle stick shaver for the 5th as well (will probably have to hide that one from SWMBO, that might push her to have me institutionalized).

 

That's quite a line up of new razors to try, Andrew. I look forward to hearing your impressions of each.

 

Sounds like it's time for you to try a No Focus Focus!

 

My specialty!

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Excellent thought. I amend my Focus to Jim's suggestion of a No Focus Focus but with a emphasis on my technique and getting better results on the bottom of my neck.




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No-focus focuses are really good for confirming how well your technique has really developed and become set in stone. When you can pick up any razor in your arsenal, or even a new one you haven't used before, and pull off a successful shave, you have truly become a pro. And, if something goes wrong, you know where you need to work some more.

 

I'm gonna have to spend some time focusing on coming up with a July focus. Still working through the SAD soaps, RAD razors and Pass Around soap samples that I haven't tried yet. I'll mix in some SE and straight razor shaves as the mood strikes too. I guess that translates to a non focused focus which may yield results to focus on for a future focuses. Clear? A.. or B? C.... or D? B... or C. Now read the third line down on the chart...

 

Why not? All razors are the same. Take the NEW with you!

 

I have popsicle sticks, razor blades and a stapler. For Cinco de Julio I will keep them strictly segregated and will not allow them to combine into a razor-like object. I will shave that day with a sensible safety razor instead.

For my July Focus, I will work on trying out and using up my soap and cream samples. I have 8 samples here to try along with that "sample" puck of Dirty Deeds Arroyo Cactus from the Shavey Awards. I also have a further 10 samples of B+M soaps that seem to be lost in the mail somewhere between Maggards and me (along with my two-band badger knot dammit). If they show up, I will include them and also add a Focus on the two-band badger knot mounted in Jason's "seconds" Cypress handle.

Razors will be whatever I grab from the rack and blades in the DE razors will continue to be Topaz Platinum as I am trying to use up my 100-pack of them.

 

No Cinco de Julio for moi. However I have a tuck of PolSilver on the way as well as Rapira Platinum Lux. So more Krona shaves in my future.