30 Day Rule/Focus; January 2025. All Are Welcome.

brit · Jan 9, 2025

-Thursday-
no.47 poplular
simpson
tobs

good morning gents
mmnnn ...sandalwood
fine tobs lather
smooth 2 passer with the popular,minor pickups..
matching splash and cologne to finish
awesome
have a fantastic day everyone

palmolive fox · Jan 9, 2025

Trigger said: ↑

Wonderful shave Barry. I may bring out my Tabac stick this weekend or early next week.
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Thank you Joe. The Tabac stick sounds a great choice.Shave sticks do get the recognition they rightly deserve.I consider the Palmolive classic shave stick a humble gem.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

Trigger said: ↑

Great shave Joe. I see you put a lot of thought in how you Fitzgerald soaps. By the way, I got a woolen hat, gloves and a scarf for Christmas.
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Thank you Joe. Very nice, hope to see you sporting it at our next breakfast.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

brit said: ↑

awesome tuesday affairs gents..
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Thank you Gary.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

brit said: ↑

-Thursday-
no.47 poplular
simpson
tobs

good morning gents
mmnnn ...sandalwood
fine tobs lather
smooth 2 passer with the popular,minor pickups..
matching splash and cologne to finish
awesome
have a fantastic day everyone

Click to expand...

Fabulous TOB shave Gary.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

NCoxSTL said: ↑

January 7, 2025

Jillette January

Razor - '47-'48 Gillette Superspeed
Blade - View attachment 300023
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Brush - Omega 10066 Boar
Finish - The Mighty Veg

A week of Gillette shaves and tonight's wasn't the best. The '47-'48 Superspeed is identical to the one I used last night, except this one has the center bar notched. Wouldn't expect there to be any real difference in how the razor performed. The soap is the Fat. The real Fat. And nothing but the Fat. The brush, my Omega 10066 boar. The lather was great. Nice and cushy, slick, the usual for the Fat. So where did things go wrong, you ask? Simple.

Blade selection. I'm using only Gillette blades this month and clearing out a lot of singles in my collection. For the really, really old timers - the OG 30DC guys, you may remember me doing my blade trials in the first year. I bought every blade I could find, and was tryablade.com's best customer I'm sure. I'd then try each blade and rate it. Boy did I find some stinkers, but also found out that, for the most part, a blade is a blade. Some are sharper, some are smoother. In nearly every case, however, one can get an acceptable shave as long as their technique is strong. The saying, as we know.....more like the gospel of the 30DC is "Technique Trumps Tools". There is an addendum to that, however, which is....."Unless the tools are defective".

Well, the Gillette Super Thin blade, made in Vietnam, isn't quite defective, but it's close. This is not the sharpest blade you'll find, and even though it's Platinum coated, it definitely isn't the smoothest. Two passes (and I know my technique was right) and I still feel like I need to keep shaving. Definitly not as smooth as I'm used to, and my face is buring even without adding the Veg. I decided against any more touch ups or passes simply because I knew it wasn't going to get better without adding irritation. I'll take this one to the house for the night and we'll see what tomorrow brings.

Coldest night of the year so far here with a low predicted at 6. Still a white winter wonderland outside. Stay warm!

View attachment 300024
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Excell shave Neil. Might have to bust out the FAT soon myself.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

SRS # 1216

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Razor: Drew Dick 7/8” Quarter Hollow Purple Heartwood
Brush: Purple Haze Badger
Lather: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Aftershave: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

SRS # 1217

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Puma 65
Brush: CRD Sky Dragon 26 mm Synthetic
Lather: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Aftershave: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

The past tow shaves with the same software. I do enjoy the WK King of Oud scent. It is the lightest, less dark and foreboding when compared with my other Oud software in the Northern den. Come to think of it, I do not believe I have any Oud software I. The Southern den. I might have to rectify that soon.

The scent profile of the software is as follows: “King of Oud combines the freshness of Bergamot and scents of Rose and Pink Pepper sitting on a bed of Oud, Patchouli and Vetiver for a fragrance that is both fresh and richly aromatic.”

I had two very nice shaves the past two mornings. I would say I had better results with the Puma than my custom Drew Dick. Time to put that razor to the lapping paper to freshen it up.

Hope you all have a great day gentlemen.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

palmolive fox said: ↑

Thank you Joe. I find the Proraso Aloe Vera is a great tonic for my skin against the winter elements.
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Agreed!

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

Screwtape said: ↑

Wednesday January 8 (morning) - Just Gillette, Jeeves and Jayaruh/Jason January

Prep: Hot shower with Aleppo olive oil soap w/ 20% bay laurel oil (traditional anti-acne)

Razor: English-made Gillette Aristocrat Jr. / PolSilver Super Iridium (1)

Soap: Jeeves of Hudson Street Turkish Bath (later renamed "Barbershop")

Brush: Jason's 30DC LE maple cashmere

Lather Bowl: None

Post: rinse, alum, rinse, Jeeves of Hudson Street Barbershop splash

Last shave: Tuesday morning - 8 days ago

The razors, soaps and splashes for the month:

View attachment 300037

Today's setup:

View attachment 300038

My first shave for January.

I previously said I would start with the Gillette Old Types. However, sober second thought prevailed: I have used nothing but Schick-style injector razors for the past year; using an aggressive Gillette Old Type for my return to DE shaving seemed a bit rash. So I decided to start with a later milder Gillette instead, and went with the English TTO Aristocrat Jr.

I previously found PolSilver blades to be consistently both sharp and smooth, so that seemed to be a sensible blade choice.

This tub of Jeeves is one of my artisan soaps that has unfortunately lost most of its scent. It has also become much harder. It didn't lather as easily as I remembered -- I will have to wet the brush more and load a lot longer in future. However, the lather was slick and protective once I worked it up.

I started slowly and concentrated on "riding the cap". My technique quickly returned. Apparently I shaved with a DE consistently for long enough that a year away from it did not erase my muscle memory for the correct light strokes at the proper Gillette shaving angle.

My usual two passes - WTG and then XTG - returned me to a cleanshaven DFS.

I broke out a new bar of alum to start the new year. It was silent. No blood or razorburn anywhere.

The splash is in a glass bottle so it lost nothing over years of disuse. It fully made up for the soap's loss of scent.

Overall a good start to "Multiple J January".
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Awesome shave John. I do like the idea of “Jayaruh January”. I might have to borrow your plan moving forward.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

brit said: ↑

-The-Midweek-Shave-
hybrid tech
rr 400
crown shave co

good morning gents
it's been over 7 years since i have started on the 30dDC thread,a full 8 yars on TSD...
the leadership has changed a bit
some faces have come and gone,
others still remain,some lurk in the shadows..

all in all ,it's been fun,
i have learned volumes and am most grateful.
and have been here everyday with the ups and downs of life in general
a big cheers and thank you to all who have been part of it
and will continue to be in future.
***
the shave,..well you know how it ends..
have a wonderful day everyone

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Fabulous shave and congratulations on your tenure in the 30DC. Looking forward to many more great years of your posts.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

Hembree said: ↑

View attachment 300034
Aylsworth Drakkant stainless steel razor head.
Dscosmetic stainless steel handle.
Astra SP blade.
Yaqi 24mm two band badger brush.
Soap Commander Fortitude shave soap.
Timeless Razor shave bowl.
Scottish Antique by Andy Hilfiger cologne.

Well it is cold in Alabama but we are keeping the fire going.

Wonderful Wednesday shave. The Drakkant is a shaving monster with a very gentle side to it.

Happy Wednesday everyone!
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That is a beautiful razor Danny.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

Trigger said: ↑

January 8 Headshave SOTM

Good morning.

1959 Gillette Fatboy (8)
Zorrik DE Blade (2)
Rockwell Synthetic Brush
TSD Barbershoppe SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Personal Care Witch Hazel
Dome Turf: 3 days

View attachment 300033

I went with my Fatboy on setting 8 for my headshave. I will say it's much easier to shave a 3 day vs a 4 day dome turf. I only needed 2 passes to get an error-free dolphin smooth result. I also attribute it to shaving with a relatively fresh blade, the very slick soap and the razor setting. Had some alum feedback, but I expected it. Witch hazel and matching aftershave were splashed on the dome to end this session. Take care.
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Calvo! (Spanish). Outstanding Joe.

brit · Jan 9, 2025

JACarbone said: ↑

Fabulous TOB shave Gary.
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thank you Joe.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

blondblue said: ↑

Great shave to close out(until next time)the

prep-Dove 4 Men Bodywashk(Skin Defense)
shave-Ike
brush-Boar*
razor-Gillette Snsor Deuce Pivot
A.S.-Ike

*The "Almond Brush" it's called.

A minute at the Loading Dock(thanks for your suggestion @brit). Super Rembrandt job with the Ike soap. Claean and clesr shave all around. 2 passes. AdditionalA.S. than previous times. Classic Presidential scent . As Outstanding As It Gets.
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Very nice Paul. Keep up the listing of the participants.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

ChrisB said: ↑

08 Jan 2025
One day growth
Continuing the week with my acquaintance with shave sticks…
Speick stick
37C, Astra (2), the Vulfix pure badger, small 20 mm knot, I wanted to see if this was able to hold enough lather for the full shave from the shave stick. Almost, but a bit small for a full 3 pass shave. Good thing I only needed 2.5 passes
Old spice
The Body Shop Black Musk EdP Vegan, courtesy of my wife
The 37C never fails to disappoint. I have found there are two angles I can use, one similar to riding the cap, and the other a bit steeper to get a somewhat closer shave. Don’t think I have noticed this before, of course I could be imaging things….
Overall a delightful Wednesday shave
Stay well and hope you all have a great day
View attachment 300031
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Can’t go wrong with the 37c, right Barry, @palmolive fox? Well done r Chris.

brit · Jan 9, 2025

JACarbone said: ↑

Fabulous shave and congratulations on your tenure in the 30DC. Looking forward to many more great years of your posts.
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thank you so much Joe.Myself as well.glad to be here and most grateful to be included with such a fine group of gentlemen.

brit · Jan 9, 2025

JACarbone said: ↑

SRS # 1216

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Razor: Drew Dick 7/8” Quarter Hollow Purple Heartwood
Brush: Purple Haze Badger
Lather: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Aftershave: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm
View attachment 300070

SRS # 1217

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Puma 65
Brush: CRD Sky Dragon 26 mm Synthetic
Lather: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Aftershave: Wholly Kaw King of Oud
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

The past tow shaves with the same software. I do enjoy the WK King of Oud scent. It is the lightest, less dark and foreboding when compared with my other Oud software in the Northern den. Come to think of it, I do not believe I have any Oud software I. The Southern den. I might have to rectify that soon.

The scent profile of the software is as follows: “King of Oud combines the freshness of Bergamot and scents of Rose and Pink Pepper sitting on a bed of Oud, Patchouli and Vetiver for a fragrance that is both fresh and richly aromatic.”

I had two very nice shaves the past two mornings. I would say I had better results with the Puma than my custom Drew Dick. Time to put that razor to the lapping paper to freshen it up.

Hope you all have a great day gentlemen.
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fabulous king of oud shave and pic Joe.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

ChrisB said: ↑

thanks Joe

Maca strikes again, nice setup and shave, but from memory I don't recall you having too many bad shaves Gary

Cool shave Joe, despite the minor damage

The luxury of too many Fitzgerald choices. Not tempted to hold on to the K o O then Joe?

Thanks Joe

Another interesting write up Neal, didn't know blades were made in Vietnam, maybe they were too super thin Lol!

thanks Gary
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Thank you Chris. Just trying to reduce the den. KoO has about 46 grams left, 23 or less shaves. I will pick up this software again in a few years. I enjoy it.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

brit said: ↑

fabulous king of oud shave and pic Joe.
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Thank you Gary.

JACarbone · Jan 9, 2025

NCoxSTL said: ↑

January 8, 2025

Jillette January

Razor - 1955 Gillette Superspeed Red Tip (A4)
Blade - View attachment 300045
Soap - Moon Old School Tallow Shave Soap
Brush - Semogue 620 Boar
Finish - Aqua Velva

We're up to the mid '50s with the Superspeed Red Tip. For those unfamiliar with the Gillette Superspeed models, they produced three basic variations. The Blue Tip, Flare Tip, and Red Tip. Otherwise known as light, normal and heavy. Here's a blast from the past for your edification, enjoyment, or just something to watch for the fun of it.

The differences between the three razors have to do with blade gap and weight. The Blue Tip, or light razor, has a blade gap of .02 inches and weighs 46 grams. The Flare tip, or normal, has a blade gap of .025 inches and weighs 58 grams. The Red Tip, or heavy, has a blade gap of .03 inches and weighs 65 grams. While blade gap is a determiner of aggression, the weight, to me, is a bigger factor. The more weight in a razor the more naturally aggressive it will be, and the better suited for heavier beards. So, with an extra .01 inch of gap and 19 grams weight over the mild Blue Tip, it is definitely ready for work.

I paired the razor with the Gillette 7 O'clock Super Stainless, a Russian made blade and much better than the Vietnamese Gillette yesterday. For the soap I dug out Moon Old Style, a soap that I had trialed for them when they were in early production. It's a fine soap, very nice lather, great cushion and the Tallow in it really stands out. The Semogue 620 boar made it easy to get a rich lather up fast. Great pairing there. For the finish, well, Old Style soap, old style aftershave. Aqua Velva Blue.

Two passes, done and done. Great finish and no irritation or burn from the finish.

Up next is the 1956 Ball Head Tech. And, after that will be a Blue Tip Superspeed.....assuming it arrives by then. It was supposed to be delivered Monday, but the snow slowed it down, and now with all post offices closed tomorrow it will wait at least one more day. It's sitting in St. Louis waiting for the trip to where I'm living now in the western exurbs. If it doesn't show up by then, well, I'll punt until it does. Expecting the Blue Tip and also a Fatboy this week. Have a great Thursday!

View attachment 300044
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Wonderful synopsis of the various Gillette Superspeeds Neil. Great shave.

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