Hi Everyone.

It's almost time for the equinoxes to arrive in a few weeks. It means to change out some of our soaps, aftershave and colognes to jive with the seasonal changes. However, it's not written in stone to do so because you have the freedom to decide what to use for your setup.

I want to say that I was truly blessed with some of the new gear that was presented last month. I appreciated seeing things that I have never seen before. Also, I want to thank you for your continuous support to this thread. I know that life can get in the way and you may find yourself drained to make a post, but you still do. I don't take your support and your commitment likely and again, I say thank you.
Ok, let's continue with the business at hand.

Monthly Themes

There are a number of themes that I am suggesting for September.
The most obvious one is SE September. That's right! It's time to get out your Schick Injectors, Supply Injectors, etc. Another possible theme would be Slant September. It may be that you may have a slant razor in your collection that needs some love.

My favorite theme is Stirling September. Yes, if you have any Stirling soaps, aftershaves and brushes, then this would be a good time to use them.

Least I forget, you may want to consider Samples September. Get out ome of your artisan sample shave soaps that have been collecting dust. Get reacquainted with them and maybe you just may be surprised as to how good they are. Who knows! You my just buy a regular size puck from one or more of those samples.
Finally, Shavette/Straight September would only be relevant for me and Joe C. @JACarbone. Of course, you all have the option of shaving with whatever you desire for any shave this month.

Ok, let's continue with the basic tenets of this thread!

I want to welcome all the veterans of the 30 DC and all the newcomers. This thread is for the purposes of improving your shave technique so that you will consistently get great shaves. There are a number of ways to do it. These are suggestions so feel free to do whatever you want in regards to your shave.

The 30 Day Rule
Take ONE razor, ONE blade, ONE brush, ONE soap/cream and use them EVERYDAY this month. Yes, everyday. But Trigger, I want variety! I know you do, but until you perfect your technique, it makes little sense to constantly change the variables of your shave.

The Focus
For you out there that are not up to the rigors of the Rule, there is this alternative:
Vary the gear for each shave, save for perhaps one or two elements.
This is a more accessible challenge for the majority of shavers. I like to pick a particular aspect of the shave, be it the lather, a certain blade or a new razor, that needs breaking in, and not change it daily, until I have mastered those tools.

Ok, to keep the thread on a nice even keel, I ask everyone to follow the thread etiquette as listed below:
1. New Members always welcome. Start anytime.
2. Old Members always welcome.
3. Respect everyone.
4. Refrain from political conversation.

I also want to suggest that we should try to assess our shaves as to why it was good or why it was not up to your standards and express these reasons in your comments. The spirit of this thread is to improve our shaves and if we share the reasons why a shave was good or bad, then we are giving our experiences to encourage good technique and discourage bad technique so that we have great info to get better shaves. I am not suggesting that we do it for every post, but I think it would make for a healthier thread if we start to do it more than we have in the past years.

Moreover, you don't have to do a rule or a focus. You are free to change your setup on a shave to shave basis.

Finally, I want this thread to continue to be a friendly place. It is ok to disagree because that is how we learn from each other, but let's encourage and respect every member. Yes, even if you think they are off the wall. Let's face it! We all are a little off because of our different Aquisition Disorders. Lol!

Let's have a group hug!



Also, let's have great shaves and fellowship in September!

Sincerely,

Joe (Trigger)

1st September 2025.


​

Shaving Recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/ Cien Men Kenya Shower Gel.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face.
Pears Transparent Bar Soap.
Brush: Omega 10066 Boar.
Face & Head Lather.
Lather: La Toja shave stick.
Blade: GEM coated. (D1)
Razor: Gem Micromatic. (OC) 1930

Post:
Cold water Face & Head wash with brush squeezing's, cold water Face Rinse./Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse/Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils.3 Menthol Crystals Mixed Together With 200ml of Care+Witch Hazel./ Repara Moisturising Lotion./ La Toja ASL.

Greetings,

My September focus I will be using my vintage SE razors for my face shaves and will be using the "Indian made Trac-II clone" Gallant II platinum cartridge razor for my head/dome shaves.

As it's been quite some time since I used the Gem PTFE coated blades, and I forgot how much audio feedback you get from them. The rigidity of them makes them feel sharp & efficient.

The GEM Micromatic (OC). is the most assertive of all my vintage SE razors, I have read in many shaving forums that the shaving characteristics you get from the GEM Micromatic (OC). replicates that of a straight razor.

As with any razor shaving confidence, a light touch, & good technique are the key to a comfortable close shave especially the GEM Micromatic (OC).

The La Toja shave stick has a good slickness & post shave I really like the fragrance of this shave stick, it's fresh clean scent reminds me of dove bar soap with a masculine edge to it.

Finishing the shave off with a generous splash of La Toja ASL.

My face is feeling smooth, & smelling divine.

Keep safe, and enjoy your day ladies & gentlemen.

I was thinking about when you SE to get Starter Edge as in use your starter into the path/one that got you back to if you used before the blades got hard to find in the 1980's for Double Edge or Single Edge or Straight Edge shaver you had that led you down this road to using what you do now, if you still have that shaver or same model/very similar model for travel.

Today's shave was a 9.5/10 because after using on dial 5 the whole time the blade left a little. Today is day 12 on the bottom 26 overall with the same King C Gillette blade. This blade is near the end of its life probably only making it to 28--30 shaves due to how dull it is becoming.

I used as always, my H 2 Gillette Adjustable slim handle shaver without the case.

Today I shaved after the shower but remembered to keep the blade/head wet while shaving

No longer saying where I am in the book since, one I am nearly done with the book but second, I am changing blades soon at overall 28--30 shaves to either my bought in late 2017 Persona made in USA 100 pack or my bought in early 2025 Persona made in USA 100 pack.

awesome start to the month Barry.

awesome Joe.

-Monday-
canadian flat bottom tech
rr bruce synthetic
crown shave co.



good morning gents
quick work shave
awesome
have a fine day everyone
​

Thank you Gary.

Great start of the month Joe. I have taken some time to determine the plan for my shaves for September. The hardware theme will be Single Edge Only September. As in the past this will include my straights, GEMS or GEM Types and Shavettes. The DE will have to wait till October as well as December when they come out in earnest.

As for the software, for the first half of the month I will stick with only my DG/CL Lamplight Penace as there are only about 13 or 14 shaves left in the tub. Afterwards, I will focus on the 1508.5 Project for the Catie’s Bubbles Vintage and incorporating some of my Stirling soaps for the remainder of the month.

Yes since it is getting close to the Autumnal Equinox, the DG Darkfall will be taking its rightful place on Declaration Grooming Micromatic Monday towards the end of the month.
Hope you all are having a great Labor Day.

Sr Shave # 365 - DECLARATION GROOMING MICROMATIC MONDAY - Lamplight Penance

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: GEM Micromatic Bullet Tip
Blade: GEM Stainless
Brush: Shore Shave Blue Nebula w/ Paragon 25 mm Boar
Lather: Declaration Grooming/Chatillon Lux Lamplight Penance
Aftershave: Chatillon Lux Lamplight Penance Toner
Additional Care:
Omega Alum
Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

Fabulous early afternoon shave. Three smooth passes with the MMBT to a super close and errorless result. Lazy morning, which was welcomed. Cool weather so not your traditional Labor Day weather here on LI.

The Edmund Fitzgerald will be claiming another tub towards the middle of this month. Looks like I might be able to bin 4 tubs this year. There is a chance for 5 if I limit variety for the months of October to the end of the year. We shall see.

Sweet looking shave Gary

Wow, almost 30 shaves with a blade. Ambitious. Very nice shave Casey

Love the MMOC. Awesome shave Barry.

Thank you Joe.

Sept 1 SOTA

Good afternoon.

Straight Razor Shave #613
F. W. Engel
JR # 290 Cashmere Synthetic Brush
Stirling Spice SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Lucky Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 3.5 Days



I decided to to a traditional straight shave to start this month. It has been just over one month since I picked up a straight. Good news! I didn't shed blood. Lol!
Anyway, I decided to refresh the blade on my pasted chromium oxide (Crox) strop.
The razor really mowed down the 3.5 day stubble in nothing flat on only 2 passes. It was a great and relaxing smooth shave.
I went with the loading the brush and continuously adding water to the tips until I got a nice , slick wet lather.
The alum gave a slight feedback. Finished with the witch hazel and matching aftershave applications. Take care.

thank you Joe.

fine start to the month gentlemen

I can get from the right blades my bought in late 2017 Persona about 35--40 shaves and with my bought in early 2025 Persona 100 pack I get about 35--40 shaves usually the few times I have used those blades they average is 35 shaves. It is only my King C Gillette original run no indication as who made the blades when I got them that gets 28--30 shaves from the blade where as the later King C Gillette made in China I get 26--30 shaves with some blades only lasting 24--25 shaves due to how thin the later King C Gillette made in China are, they can get easily warped or come easier messed up where they die earlier than the average range

Way to start the month Barry. The GEM Micromatic is known as a straight razor on a stick. It does give a very close shave. I will bring mine out sometime this week or next week.

Very nice shave Casey. I would like your overall review of that book when your done reading it.