June 2018 30 Day Rule/focus Pix & Discussion

Thanks for the kind words, Jason! I love my old Gillettes, particularly the NEW models. First of all, they are great shavers. More importantly, my Dad would have just begun shaving in the 1930s, and I can envision him using one of these razors. They were plentiful and cheap back in the day, so it's reasonable for me to believe he had one.

When I first began DE shaving, I didn't have the benefit and support of the 30DC. I was learning on my own, and it took me several months to develop solid technique. To make up for poor technique, I was completing four passes! Nicks and Irritation were two of my closest friends in those days. I met up with this rowdy band of hoodlums when they all got out of prison and started up the 30DC. They helped me learn how to reduce my daily passes to three and eventually to two. My two-pass shaves are consistently much better now than my early four passers. Every now and again, I'll see how well I can do with my very best technique and only one pass. I love to the whole process of DE shaving, especially when I have plenty of time, and it's sometimes difficult to stop after the second pass. My face appreciates it when I do. I'm no longer on speaking terms with Nicks and Irritation.

In the last year or two, I've transitioned from wanting new stuff to wanting to improve my technique even more. It's easy to buy new stuff but more challenging and fun (for me) to learn new things. Aside from all the friendships I have made here, I'm always looking around to see what you guys can teach me. It's fun to pick up a new trick and see it play out in a better shave.

Brian, I think we're ready for a group hug.

 

June 29

G3 Gillette Fatboy
Astra SP (1)
Kent BK4 Silvertip
Mike's Natural Soap - unscented
Thayers Lavender witch hazel, unrefined shea butter, and Trumper's Coral Skin Food

Two passes, nice and easy. Fatboy happily stuck in 5th gear. Experiencing the infamous shave soap disintegration phenomena previously reported by Jim.

Since it is Friday, let's look back and reflect on key events leading up to the formation of the 30DC. It's important to note how the concept of a "Rule" was initially developed. Note also how Chris and Neal stepped up to courageously lead the group in the face of incredible opposition.



Happy Friday!

 

June Focus

Debated whether to post this in the Single Ring thread or here, clearly I decided here.
I cut my used Perma Sharp to make a shim for today's shave with the Old Type.
Whipped up the shiniest, slickest lather with the Mike's (bloomed, of course)
Face-lathered solely, which is unusual, but the DG brush cries out to be rubbed on your face.
Started the shave without the shim on the left side of my face. Results of the WTG pass were as expected;
Smooth and effortless.
Next, I inserted the shim and proceeded to the right side of my face.
At forst, I noticed literally no difference...but wait...weeper. Yes, weeper.
Second pass, XTG with the shim, both left and right sides. Weeper #2.
That's it, out came the shim. Finished my ATG and through the shim in the garbage.
DONE with shims @wchnu
Regardless of my theories, the Old Type performed better WITHOUT the shim.
Weepers were minimal and the VIBR finished off a very good, but not great, albeit informative shave.
​

 

Rest well and take care of yourself, Randy. I'm glad you and the family made it home OK.

 

Subtle enabling there, Jim. Just floating barely under the surface of the conversation, but I caught it. Well done!

 

It’s great having you around here. Have fun!

 

Get better my friend. I prescribe ice cream.
Praying for you.

 

Sounds like a great shave Charlie!

Interesting experiment Joseph, I've never tried a shim in my OT's, and not probably never will. Beautiful setup too!

 

Thanks Andrew. Interesting that I had good luck shimming my 1921 Big Fellow. Weird.

 

Thanks guys.

 

SOTD June 29th


Stirling Mentholated Pre-Shave Soap
REX Ambassador(4)
Dorco ST-301(2)
Doug Korn Stubby(35mm, Carrier Class)
Jeeves Of Hudson Street "Bay Rum"
Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill PSB

What can I say, the Rex is quickly becoming a favorite. It is consistently delivering effortless BBS shaves and is a real joy to use. Super gooped the Jeeves Bay Rum, I'm really going to be sad when this is gone(Thanks again Adam @Drygulch). Finished with some Stirling Glacial Lemon Chill balm for a nice cool down this morning. Have a great weekend my friends!

TGIF

 

Excellent photo, Jim!

 

June 29th
Cooper Monobilt
30DC LE
Razorock Mudder Focker SS
Thayers
Chatillon Lux Unconditional Surrender AS

Completely off the 'basics' focus today I guess. I get a really good lather from this IB soap if I load the snot out of it and take it to the bowl to build the lather. 2 passes with a little jawline touch up (I hear you, Charlie @wristwatchb) and I am almost completely smooth. If any of you who don't have one stumble upon one of these Monobilts, I cannot recommend it any higher.
I hadn't grabbed the Unconditional Surrender in a few weeks, and rectified that mistake this morning.
Have a great day all!

 

Excellent photo, Jason!! I Could not agree with you more on the MonoBilt! In fact if any of our 30DC brethren would like to take one for a spin I would be happy to lend one of mine out!

 

Very cool blurb, Charlie. I love the connection to the eras that these razors came from as well. I have often envisioned my Grandfather shaving with some of the razors I am using now. My Grandfathers are both passed, but after starting to use vintage razors, I have asked my mother about my Grandfather's razors from when she was young. My recollection was that my mom's dad (I was always around him as he lived in the same town) always used an Electric. My mom says that before that he had a 'black handled' razor with a 'silver head that had doors on it' for a long time. I suspect it was probably either a Krona or a Black handled Super Speed. He wasn't much for ornamentation. Before that he had a 'silver one' when she was a kid (she was born in '50). Who knows what that would have been. I do know he used Old Spice, at least because I kept buying it for him in the 70s and 80s as gifts!
My Dad always had cartridges from what I remember. Trac II, then Atras. He was using a Sensor the same time I was. I'll never have a razor that my father or grandfather used, and that's just the way it is. There are still a few vintage razors I would break my NB for in a heartbeat if I stumbled upon them fairly priced in an antique store and I'm fine with that!

 

Thanks, Jim!

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Another awesome shot, Jim! Lots of Bay rum on here the past few days. I haven't tried any of the Ogallala products, however.

Great combo, Jim! After 13 shaves, do you find that you adjust the razor at all, or do you leave it on one setting now?

Your write ups are consistently very informative, Joseph. I think you've inspired me to pull out my thicker capped OT as a travel razor this weekend.

Great combo, and yup, now it is Friday!

 

There he is! TGIF!!!

Great picture, Andrew! I agree, the Rex is becoming a favorite of mine.

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Thank you, Andrew!

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Nice picture and shave, Jason!

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