August 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Keithmax · Jul 31, 2019

August 1:

This months focus will be to see how much menthol I can use in my lather and still feel the blade and keep enough control of the steel on my face. The 'blade feel' is critical to me, I use to get the right pressure and angle. I just received some M-bomb and I will use a couple of mentholated soaps too.

Today's shave launched with Electric Sheep, the menthol level in this one is acceptable, cooling but I still had enough blade feel to fine tune my angle and pressure.

Razor: Friodur 8/8 full hollow
Strop: Roo
Brush: Shavemac
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep
AS: Enhanced DR Harris AS, Stirling ASB
Scent: Creed Himalaya

Terry · Jul 31, 2019

Well I think I got this one!

Had some trouble till I sliced off a piece and stuck it to the bottom of the mug.
See if I can do this in the morning.
I'm in if it works, it's lather not foam.

tp

Terry · Jul 31, 2019

Keithmax said: ↑

August 1:

This months focus will be to see how much menthol I can use in my lather and still feel the blade and keep enough control of the steel on my face. The 'blade feel' is critical to me, I use to get the right pressure and angle. I just received some M-bomb and I will use a couple of mentholated soaps too.

Today's shave launched with Electric Sheep, the menthol level in this one is acceptable, cooling but I still had enough blade feel to fine tune my angle and pressure.

Razor: Friodur 8/8 full hollow
Strop: Roo
Brush: Shavemac
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep
AS: Enhanced DR Harris AS, Stirling ASB
Scent: Creed Himalaya

View attachment 200650
Click to expand...

Very nice Keith
Good luck with the menthol.
tp

Terry · Jul 31, 2019

ghostlife said: ↑

-don't own an adjustable, and at any rate I bought a NEW LC off BST here and will surely use it most of the month, once it arrives
-don't feel like doing arko all month even though I have 10.5 sticks of it and probably should
-will probably pick a razor, blade and brush combo and use it all month while working through my soap samples one by one
Click to expand...

tp

jluc · Jul 31, 2019

Keithmax said: ↑

August 1:

This months focus will be to see how much menthol I can use in my lather and still feel the blade and keep enough control of the steel on my face. The 'blade feel' is critical to me, I use to get the right pressure and angle. I just received some M-bomb and I will use a couple of mentholated soaps too.

Today's shave launched with Electric Sheep, the menthol level in this one is acceptable, cooling but I still had enough blade feel to fine tune my angle and pressure.

Razor: Friodur 8/8 full hollow
Strop: Roo
Brush: Shavemac
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep
AS: Enhanced DR Harris AS, Stirling ASB
Scent: Creed Himalaya

View attachment 200650
Click to expand...

Wonderful picture and beautiful tools, Keith! You always start us off in style!

Sent from my SM-T800 using Tapatalk

Linuxguile · Jul 31, 2019

Keithmax said: ↑

August 1:

This months focus will be to see how much menthol I can use in my lather and still feel the blade and keep enough control of the steel on my face. The 'blade feel' is critical to me, I use to get the right pressure and angle. I just received some M-bomb and I will use a couple of mentholated soaps too.

Today's shave launched with Electric Sheep, the menthol level in this one is acceptable, cooling but I still had enough blade feel to fine tune my angle and pressure.

Razor: Friodur 8/8 full hollow
Strop: Roo
Brush: Shavemac
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep
AS: Enhanced DR Harris AS, Stirling ASB
Scent: Creed Himalaya

View attachment 200650
Click to expand...

Wonderful shave and beautiful brush Keith! Joe many drops of M-bomb did you use?

Sent from my Galaxy using Tapatalk

NCoxSTL · Jul 31, 2019

ghostlife said: ↑

-don't own an adjustable, and at any rate I bought a NEW LC off BST here and will surely use it most of the month, once it arrives
-don't feel like doing arko all month even though I have 10.5 sticks of it and probably should
-will probably pick a razor, blade and brush combo and use it all month while working through my soap samples one by one
Click to expand...

Nice focus for the month. Gotta love it.

9nein9 · Jul 31, 2019

RyX said: ↑

Adjustables? As long as I get to spin the dials to MAX! Arko will happen, too.

Last one in has dry pants!
View attachment 200609
Click to expand...

Just a reminder.....we use pee dye in the pool.

brit · Aug 1, 2019

Keithmax said: ↑

August 1:

This months focus will be to see how much menthol I can use in my lather and still feel the blade and keep enough control of the steel on my face. The 'blade feel' is critical to me, I use to get the right pressure and angle. I just received some M-bomb and I will use a couple of mentholated soaps too.

Today's shave launched with Electric Sheep, the menthol level in this one is acceptable, cooling but I still had enough blade feel to fine tune my angle and pressure.

Razor: Friodur 8/8 full hollow
Strop: Roo
Brush: Shavemac
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep
AS: Enhanced DR Harris AS, Stirling ASB
Scent: Creed Himalaya

View attachment 200650
Click to expand...

nice shave sir..

Laird · Aug 1, 2019

Adjustable August works for me. A 30 Day Rule with a "Black & White" Theme.

Brush- Semogue 610 (Black inside the clear handle). Face lather, no bowl.
Soap- Proraso White Tub.
Blade- Parker (Black blade dispenser). Excalibur one blade for the month.
Razor- Gillette Black Beauty Super Adjustable 109 set wide open.
Balm- Nivea "Cooling". Label removed = White milk glass container.

Thursday, August 1st will be my first shave day since Monday afternoon. 72 hrs. growth against the mighty Super Adjustable.

Edison Carter · Aug 1, 2019

Bama Samurai said: ↑

Arko Adjustable August?

OK.

Rule it shall be, unless I have to fly.

1959 Gillette 195 Adjustable
Arko
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Voskhod

The razor was a gift from an esteemed long time member of the 30DC, and is also the only adjustable razor I kept after the year of "Love it or PIF it". When paired with Murica's Finest Blade, it is one of the easiest shaves out there. You know him as @wristwatchb and Charlie, and he doesn't necessarily endorse the rest of this list.

Arko? Yeah. It's the absolute champ of mass market shave soaps. Luxurious? No. It has a scent highly reminiscent of Ivory Bath Soap, and it tends to be a polarizing item. It's also notorious as a Veg precursor, and to some, a binary component of banned chemical weapons. But, I digress...I find it to be a quality shave product and really enjoy it. It's a super easy soap to work, and is suitable for open and safety styles.

The brush is part of 30DC lore, and was blamed for the rise, aggressive short taking and collapse of a certain retail stock. True? Those who know won't say, and those who say don't know. It was a great brush for a small price, and was used for months on end in my daily shaves.

Voskhod? That's actually how the 30DC started. When RBC was a newbie, I sent him a message late one night about some blades. It started a conversation that has know expanded to a few dozen people and 7000 monthly posts, several recurring fictional characters, and a world wide network of corresponding friends that has touched every continent except Antarctica. That all happened under @NCoxSTL. When I ran it, we were just trying not to lose blood and/or get banned from the board. He created the culture that made it grow into what you see today. Literally the most friendly and helpful group on any forum I've ever read.

There will be Veg, Clubman, and Osage in August.

For new converts and those lurking:

If you are new to this thread series, welcome! Just jump in, we'll talk about anything you like and somebody here knows the answer to your question or issue. This group has done it all, to include fabricating razors from thumbs and medical tape, and even popsicle sticks and glue. These things are all done to show that mastery of the fundamentals are why we succeed. We'd love to help you learn, as well as make more informed choices that will maximize your enjoyment. We'll also help you avoid randomly buying gear and balm to solve shave issues. All you need to do is pick one razor, one soap, one blade type, and one brush. Then commit to the process for one month. It will change how you view your results, and allow you to isolate variables as you master the fundamentals.

I recommend Alum for newbies. The sensation, or lack thereof, from Alum is one of the only objective ways to assess angle and pressure. Learning to avoid that pain will fine tune your touch with the blade, and allow daily shaves with no discomfort.

I don't collect razors, and I am gear agnostic. All razors are the same at skin level. It's an intimate understanding of what a steel bevel should feel like on the face that unlocks all razors for the newbies.

Wanna learn SR? Many Jedi and Sith Lords here amongst us. We all started were you are now. I'm a shavette guy myself, but again...all razors are the same at skin level. It's all about angle and pressure with any razor style. Open blades are fun, and provide a sense of accomplishment to the learner. It takes about three months to become well versed in SR fundamentals, and this group would love to help you find your way... so jump in that pool as soon as you are ready. SR is jokingly called "the Dark Side", and yes Randy , we have cookies. Sometime we'll tell you where the stash is located.

From $9 shavettes to precision machined boutique DE, the goal is a smooth face that feels great. Perfect the basics I've mentioned and they will all produce good results, on a daily basis. It only takes a month of discipline and dedication to find out for yourself.

The solution to shave issues isn't more gear.

The solution lies inside you.

We'd love to watch you find out.
Click to expand...

Masterful enunciation!

Terry · Aug 1, 2019

Good morning everyone.
First August shave and a wonderful mowing to say the least.
Got the Arko working by cutting the stick into small slices and pressing them into the mug. Got great lather, nice and slick just like I like it. This lather hung around for the full shave, nice. My Gillette on 9, and a Nacet blade to do the work. Started top down and considering I bin the blade anyway, I just did a 3rd pass on the face, nice. Smooth baby, smooth, real nice! The after shave left me wanting yesterday so I decided to "splash" it on this morning to see if that makes a difference. Might have to use a baum to moisturize, we'll see.

Ready for the day, ready to run.
All
Enjoy
tp

Screwtape · Aug 1, 2019

NCoxSTL said: ↑

Welcome to Adjustable August 2019!!!

This is the month we break out the adjustables! The Fatboys, Slims, Black Beauties, Schick Type M’s – you name it….if it adjusts we use it! Or, we don’t. As always, the theme is here for those who want, and if you don’t want then do whatever floats your boat. Don’t forget the secondary theme – add some Arko to the Adjustable! The classic Turkish delight deserves a bit of extra love from time to time. Now, before we move on, a quick word from the Cartel.

Just a quick reminder as we move into the last part of Summer and our series of themed months through the end of the year. This group is, as we know, primarily a shaving technique group. We support newbies in learning how to shave and each other in improving our shaves and learning new gear and techniques. But…..we also do more than just shave. We talk, share joy, grief, worry, and just plain life! I have no idea how we do it sometimes but….we do and I hope we never stop. Ok, wipe your eyes. Enough mushy stuff.

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. Anything 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

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

View attachment 200608
Click to expand...

Bama Samurai said: ↑

Arko Adjustable August?

OK.

Rule it shall be, unless I have to fly.

1959 Gillette 195 Adjustable
Arko
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic
Voskhod

The razor was a gift from an esteemed long time member of the 30DC, and is also the only adjustable razor I kept after the year of "Love it or PIF it". When paired with Murica's Finest Blade, it is one of the easiest shaves out there. You know him as @wristwatchb and Charlie, and he doesn't necessarily endorse the rest of this list.

Arko? Yeah. It's the absolute champ of mass market shave soaps. Luxurious? No. It has a scent highly reminiscent of Ivory Bath Soap, and it tends to be a polarizing item. It's also notorious as a Veg precursor, and to some, a binary component of banned chemical weapons. But, I digress...I find it to be a quality shave product and really enjoy it. It's a super easy soap to work, and is suitable for open and safety styles.

The brush is part of 30DC lore, and was blamed for the rise, aggressive short taking and collapse of a certain retail stock. True? Those who know won't say, and those who say don't know. It was a great brush for a small price, and was used for months on end in my daily shaves.

Voskhod? That's actually how the 30DC started. When RBC was a newbie, I sent him a message late one night about some blades. It started a conversation that has know expanded to a few dozen people and 7000 monthly posts, several recurring fictional characters, and a world wide network of corresponding friends that has touched every continent except Antarctica. That all happened under @NCoxSTL. When I ran it, we were just trying not to lose blood and/or get banned from the board. He created the culture that made it grow into what you see today. Literally the most friendly and helpful group on any forum I've ever read.

There will be Veg, Clubman, and Osage in August.

For new converts and those lurking:

If you are new to this thread series, welcome! Just jump in, we'll talk about anything you like and somebody here knows the answer to your question or issue. This group has done it all, to include fabricating razors from thumbs and medical tape, and even popsicle sticks and glue. These things are all done to show that mastery of the fundamentals are why we succeed. We'd love to help you learn, as well as make more informed choices that will maximize your enjoyment. We'll also help you avoid randomly buying gear and balm to solve shave issues. All you need to do is pick one razor, one soap, one blade type, and one brush. Then commit to the process for one month. It will change how you view your results, and allow you to isolate variables as you master the fundamentals.

I recommend Alum for newbies. The sensation, or lack thereof, from Alum is one of the only objective ways to assess angle and pressure. Learning to avoid that pain will fine tune your touch with the blade, and allow daily shaves with no discomfort.

I don't collect razors, and I am gear agnostic. All razors are the same at skin level. It's an intimate understanding of what a steel bevel should feel like on the face that unlocks all razors for the newbies.

Wanna learn SR? Many Jedi and Sith Lords here amongst us. We all started were you are now. I'm a shavette guy myself, but again...all razors are the same at skin level. It's all about angle and pressure with any razor style. Open blades are fun, and provide a sense of accomplishment to the learner. It takes about three months to become well versed in SR fundamentals, and this group would love to help you find your way... so jump in that pool as soon as you are ready. SR is jokingly called "the Dark Side", and yes Randy , we have cookies. Sometime we'll tell you where the stash is located.

From $9 shavettes to precision machined boutique DE, the goal is a smooth face that feels great. Perfect the basics I've mentioned and they will all produce good results, on a daily basis. It only takes a month of discipline and dedication to find out for yourself.

The solution to shave issues isn't more gear.

The solution lies inside you.

We'd love to watch you find out.
Click to expand...

With the month starting with these magnificent sermons from the two Masters, how could I not join in?

I will do Adjustable Arko and Almost Anything Goes August. I promise to avoid using electrics or carts, so it's not quite "anything goes".

For Adjustables, I will use my trio of Delta Echo refurbished Gillette adjustables, a PAL Adjustable injector, my Supply Co Single Edge v2 injector with interchangeable plates, my Rockwell 6S, and a Schick M that I have never actually tried before. Arko I have by the carton load.

And I reserve the right to use any other DE, SE or injector that strikes my fancy. As well as numerous brushes, many balms and splashes, and a plethora of soaps and creams other than Arko.

Screwtape · Aug 1, 2019

Terry said: ↑

Good morning everyone.
First August shave and a wonderful mowing to say the least.
Got the Arko working by cutting the stick into small slices and pressing them into the mug. Got great lather, nice and slick just like I like it. This lather hung around for the full shave, nice. My Gillette on 9, and a Nacet blade to do the work. Started top down and considering I bin the blade anyway, I just did a 3rd pass on the face, nice. Smooth baby, smooth, real nice! The after shave left me wanting yesterday so I decided to "splash" it on this morning to see if that makes a difference. Might have to use a baum to moisturize, we'll see.
View attachment 200664
Ready for the day, ready to run.
All
Enjoy
tp
Click to expand...

Great shave, report and photo to start the month, Terry!

Screwtape · Aug 1, 2019

Keithmax said: ↑

August 1:

This months focus will be to see how much menthol I can use in my lather and still feel the blade and keep enough control of the steel on my face. The 'blade feel' is critical to me, I use to get the right pressure and angle. I just received some M-bomb and I will use a couple of mentholated soaps too.

Today's shave launched with Electric Sheep, the menthol level in this one is acceptable, cooling but I still had enough blade feel to fine tune my angle and pressure.

Razor: Friodur 8/8 full hollow
Strop: Roo
Brush: Shavemac
Pre: Proraso
Soap: Stirling Electric Sheep
AS: Enhanced DR Harris AS, Stirling ASB
Scent: Creed Himalaya

View attachment 200650
Click to expand...

You always start the month off for us with a beautiful photo of some great gear, Keith! It sets the bar high for all of us who follow you into the month. August is no exception.

jluc · Aug 1, 2019

August 1st
Razor: Timeless Aluminum
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Grizzly Bay Constitution
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: Arko
PAA Galactic witch hazel
PAA unscented Star Jelly
AS: Fine American Blend

Good morning!

Terrific shave to start the day! Three passes for near BBS. Light tickle from the alum.

Timeless Aluminum arrived yesterday. Initial thoughts upon unboxing was how surprisingly light this razor is. Easy shave, an intuitive razor.

Have a great day!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

wristwatchb · Aug 1, 2019

Laird said: ↑

Adjustable August works for me. A 30 Day Rule with a "Black & White" Theme.

Brush- Semogue 610 (Black inside the clear handle). Face lather, no bowl.
Soap- Proraso White Tub.
Blade- Parker (Black blade dispenser). Excalibur one blade for the month.
Razor- Gillette Black Beauty Super Adjustable 109 set wide open.
Balm- Nivea "Cooling". Label removed = White milk glass container.

Thursday, August 1st will be my first shave day since Monday afternoon. 72 hrs. growth against the mighty Super Adjustable.
Click to expand...

Terry · Aug 1, 2019

Screwtape said: ↑

Great shave, report and photo to start the month, Terry!
Click to expand...

Thanks John
tp

wristwatchb · Aug 1, 2019

jluc said: ↑

August 1st
Razor: Timeless Aluminum
Blade: Astra SP (1)
Brush: Grizzly Bay Constitution
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: Arko
PAA Galactic witch hazel
PAA unscented Star Jelly
AS: Fine American Blend

Good morning!

Terrific shave to start the day! Three passes for near BBS. Light tickle from the alum.

Timeless Aluminum arrived yesterday. Initial thoughts upon unboxing was how surprisingly light this razor is. Easy shave, an intuitive razor.

Have a great day!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Congrats on the new Timeless, Jim! Looks like it performs as good as it looks! It was about time you picked up another razor.

Have a great day, my friend.

wristwatchb · Aug 1, 2019

Terry said: ↑

Good morning everyone.
First August shave and a wonderful mowing to say the least.
Got the Arko working by cutting the stick into small slices and pressing them into the mug. Got great lather, nice and slick just like I like it. This lather hung around for the full shave, nice. My Gillette on 9, and a Nacet blade to do the work. Started top down and considering I bin the blade anyway, I just did a 3rd pass on the face, nice. Smooth baby, smooth, real nice! The after shave left me wanting yesterday so I decided to "splash" it on this morning to see if that makes a difference. Might have to use a baum to moisturize, we'll see.
View attachment 200664
Ready for the day, ready to run.
All
Enjoy
tp
Click to expand...

Nice shave, Dude. Wide open adjustable and Arko for the win!

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August 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Will you be using Adjustables and/or Arko for August??

Yep. Adjustables and Arko both!!

Adjustables yes - Arko no.

Arko yes - Adjustables no.

Some of both, some of other stuff.

Still just here for cookies and ice cream.

Straights - because they re the original adjustable.

Keithmax Breeds Pet Rocks

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

jluc smelling pretty

Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

NCoxSTL AAACK!

9nein9 Guest

brit in a box

Laird Well-Known Member

Edison Carter Well-Known Member

Terry Tool Admirer

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

jluc smelling pretty

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

Terry Tool Admirer

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

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August 2019 30 Day Rule/Focus Pix & Discussion

Will you be using Adjustables and/or Arko for August??

Yep. Adjustables and Arko both!!

Adjustables yes - Arko no.

Arko yes - Adjustables no.

Some of both, some of other stuff.

Still just here for cookies and ice cream.

Straights - because they re the original adjustable.

Keithmax Breeds Pet Rocks

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

Terry Tool Admirer

jluc smelling pretty

Linuxguile dating an unusual aristocrat

NCoxSTL AAACK!

9nein9 Guest

brit in a box

Laird Well-Known Member

Edison Carter Well-Known Member

Terry Tool Admirer

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

Screwtape A Shaving Butterfly

jluc smelling pretty

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

Terry Tool Admirer

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

wristwatchb wristwatch "danger" b

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