30 Day Rule/Focus; November 2023. All Are Welcome!

Terrific shave and quite bold for you to do two consecutive daily shaves John! Glad your skin held up. Any idea when the Neutrogena will be finished? Have a good day.

 

Thanks John. In the beginning of my journey, I thought a Lavender scented soap was not "manly" However, @Primotenore the Maestro made me saw the light and it's one of my favorite scents.

 

Nice work this moring. Only rough spot was at S. Porcupine, close to the jawline. Improvements seen at NW Porcupine(it had been giving me trouble, now I need to get on a positive roll). That's the area just below the right nostril. 2 passes. My face and neck have the feel of the American Southwest. Stoylin's Oro Valley is a good match for Clubman Special Reserve A.S. Most Outstanding.

 

SOTD 20231113 Tempo

ischiapp.blogspot.com​

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Thanks.

 

Nov 13 SOTM

Good morning.

Shavette Shave # 506
Gillette Wilkinson Sword 1/2 DE Blade (7)
Stirling Boar Brush
TSD Orange SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Modessa Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 23.5 hrs



It's a cold Long Island morning so I decided to use the TSD Orange soap and aftershave. I have mentioned this is a very mild scented soap, but I can still get the fragrance while I am whipping the lathering, but I need to bring my nose close to the bowl to do so. It's not a bright orange, but it's still is pleasant. It does make a nice lather. Here it is:



The shavette performed will, but the blade was getting to the end of its usefulness so I knew that this blade was going to be binned at the end. I usually bin a blade after 5 shaves, but I wanted to push it just to see how long the blade will still be comfortable for shaving. Did a 3 pass shave and got a very close, comfortable and error-free shave. The alum was silent. Finished this session like I normally do. Take care.

 

Fine setup Pierpaolo. I have never tried Balxano blades, but I have heard they are very sharp.

 

Hi All,

I'm going to jump in here a bit late if that's OK with everyone, and sorry for the long post.

As I mentioned last week in the general discussion area, I've been a member here about ten years, but have kept a very simple kit for a while now. It was due to a combination of my shave supplies being stolen during a move and my kids hitting that age where I was super busy. I had a nice collection, and it was heartbreaking to lose it all, so it's taken a while for me to feel like doing this again...

That said, I will post a pic tonight of the spare remains of my den and start moving forward. Because I will have new gear and soaps coming in, committing to just one of any of those this month will be a no go. I'm too exited....

Starting today, I am going to do a blade focus for the remainder of November. I will have 100 Feather blades in the mailbox when I get home from the office. For years, Gillette Silver/Blues were always the blade I came back to, and I still use them today. Right before everything blew up, I was experimenting with the Feathers, and "really" liked them. They worked well in a mild razor for my combo of tough beard and sensitive skin. I want to give them another chance and finally add a second blade to my arsenal.

Next month I will try and focus on other things as well, but really want to put some effort into blades. I strongly know what I like in the other categories for the most part. If there are any of you that also like the sharper blades, I would love a recommendation on what to try after the Feathers....

Will get shave one and some pics posted up this evening...

Thanks,
Scott

 

Hi Scott. First, I want to welcome you to the 30DC crew. Second, I will say Feathers are über sharp, but you don’t get that many shaves on a blade so I feel they are cost prohibitive for me. Everyone perceives blade aggressiveness differently so I think it's hard to get a consensus other than Feathers. I find Gillette Platinums are sharp, but smooth. Wilkinson Sword blades are intermediate in aggressiveness and smooth. Some people state that Gillette Nacets are aggressive while others say the opposite. Truthfully, I feel any Gillette brand razor is good. I didn't like Astra Blues because I found them too rough, but I have heard the Astra Greens are good.
Finally, if you haven't done so, I urge you to go the first post of the month to understand the premise of this thread. Again, I welcome you here and please continue to ask questions and post your shaves here.

 

Thank you Joe!

I did read through the instructions in the first post and will stay within the bounds. I may try the Platinum's next as I don't think I have had the pleasure, and I'm not a fan of the Astras either.

I have a complicated face for blades. My tough beard gets clingy with all but the sharpest blades, and my skin gets irritated almost instantly. I agree the Feathers are not the best value prop, but they were the only blades that could tame multi day growth without irritation. I can use the Silver/Blues when shaving regularly but want to have the Feathers on hand for when I'm back from vacation for example.

My focus for this month and into December will be:

1- Get my technique back with the Feathers
2- Find another blade that can do what the Feathers can that are more durable and at a better price point

I will post pics and reports for those who may have similar issues....

 

That's a good plan for December Scott. I forgot to mention another possibility and that's the Personna DE blades. I haven't used these blades per se, but I have Personna Hairshaper SE Blades that I use in my Dovo Shavette and they are very sharp. I get about 20 shaves with them. Therefore, it's probable that the Personna DE blades might be sharp. Now, these blades are made in the USA (carbon steel?l and in Solingen Germany (stainless steel). They used to be made in Israel, but they moved to Germany.

 

Just made a Pasteur Pharmacy SALE purchase.....free shipping...shave soap features Agarwood, Oud and Leather. The sale price shaved $14 off rhe normal pice. I noticed I already have an Agarwood soap, but I really couldn't pass up this sale. Supposed to be here this coming Saturday. I'll describe it more when I begin shaving with it.

 

Starting tomorrow morning and am very excited. Will post a report.

Did I mention that I LOVE bay rum?




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Well done Joe.

 

Another nice shave John.

 

Shavette Shave # 211

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: The Holy Black
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue
Brush: CRD Sky - O- Earth 26 mm Synthetic
Lather: Proraso White
Aftershave: Cella Milano
Additional Care:
Maggards Alum
Nivea Sensitive Balm
Thayer’s Witch Hazel - Original


SE Shave # 358 - DECLARATION GROOMING MICROMATIC MONDAY - Darkfall

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: GEM Micromatic Bullet Tip
Blade: GEM Stainless
Brush: Classic Shaving Silver Blue
Lather: Declaration Grooming Darkfall
Aftershave: Declaration Grooming Darkfall
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Declaration Grooming Aftershave Liniment - Darkfall
Declaration Grooming Darkfall EdT
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel

Past Wi shave. The first from the warmer climates of the Southern Den and today’s in the Northern Den. 45 degree temperature difference upon my arrival back to NY.

 

Excellent chilly morning shave Joe.

 

Welcome to the group Scott. My name is Joe.
Sounds like a nice plan for the remaining of the year.

 

Lol! Stirling Bay Rum was one of my first soaps. I love it even though it's clovey. My only complaint is that it's very strong and that I would only use it if I am not going to be in a room full of people. Some people have said that it has a medicinal scent and that wasn't meant as a compliment on their part. Of course, it was women who complained. I understand because it is a manly scent. Stirling is my favorite brand.

 

Thanks Joe.

 

Thanks Joe. My sinuses have been getting much better so I can pick up the scents on these mild soaps. I know it's heretical, but TSD soaps are not in my top 5.