(Well I started this post earlier today, right after Adam posted his thoughts about the group. I'm just now back to it and see that others have commented already. I think my thoughts are similar to most. It's just that, as usual, i need a lot more words!)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Adam.
(It's just another thing I like about this site. And if Neal gets two cents, here's my penny! Though I just noted that Neal posted on the subject a second time...is that 4 cents now?)

For me, this 30-day thread is my favorite thread in TSD.
IMO, no other thread provides the regular, real time support to the technical side of shaving. (Though the tutorial thread provides some "encyclopedic" type reference material.)

So to have a thread like this is invaluable to me as a newbie. And I hope it will continue to be a teaching tool for me (and novice and experts alike) as I explore other types of wetshaving beyond DEs.

I think part of the reward is not only learning about the equipment I'm using, but noticing all the other equipment other participants use - and picking up tips from them - directly (through their posts to me) or indirectly ( from me reading their daily posts and realizing I can learn things even if we're using different equipment).

In fact, I remember when I first started I got a simple tip to turn my head when shaving to look at the angle of the blade, not only the coverage of the stroke. I think that came from someone using a Straight or other type of focus - Adam, Troy, or perhaps Clint.

Though @Bama Samurai provides a ton of info and advice, I know he can't do it all and a thread like this depends on community and not one individual - though I shudder to think about what happens to this thread if he ever left. So I think it's real important that this thread meet the needs of any type of wetshaver.

That's why I was so happy to see @Bird Lives join us. And I hope he stays for awhile with his knowledge of injectors and SEs as well as guys like you, Adam, on the straights.

Now that finally gets me to the group focus each month.

I'm interested in having this thread stay as a place where all types of shavers congregate and cross-contribute to others. At the same time, the human dynamic is such that if I see someone that's using a particular razor (or soap, or blade, etc) as a focus and I've been thinking about doing similar, I may just consider dropping what I thought I was going to be focusing on and do similar with the other shaver. Or not. Sometimes I learn better when doing with someone, sometimes I don't.

So if a bunch of guys do a group focus, I agree, it can sometimes seem that the thread is dominated by their conversations (and shenanigans) but I would not want anyone to feel left out or diminished by not being part of the large focus group.

We don't necessarily have to give each month it's own name. I think the idea of doing that may be to attract more people into this thread from the larger TSD.

So Adam, though a medical condition (a whole other story for another time) keeps me from ever trying a straight razor, I really value having you and Kevin, Seabs, etc as part of this thread and learning from you. Hopefully those who aren't using the same equipment as you, provide you with insight as well.

Again, just my one cent.
Cheers!
RT

Using a straight fits perfectly under the guidelines of either a rule or focus. If you desire to stay with the straights, by all means, please do. I think what you are seeing is guys multitasking the SOTD themes with their rules and foci. Your thinking is most correct. And you're not allowed to go anywhere, we want and need you here. You are one of the originals!

I will be doing a strict rule again next month, but that's just me. The variety of stuff on this thread is one of the most appealing things here. I know I don't interact or give much input on SR, but it's only because I don't know to use one...but I love seeing them out here!

I love you guys like brothers.

Carry on.

We do technique here. If your rule/focus conforms to some other theme, that is just bonus! All who are doing any sort of 30 Day Rule or Focus per the guidelines of GDC are right on track! All types of equipment and shavers of all experience levels are welcome here.

Day 17 - 18 August 2015

30 Day Rule - Phoenix OC


​

Gonna change the blade tomorrow, it's slowing down a bit. I have just about figured out the stroke and stretch pattern for my chin. The Phoenix keeps performing well, and it was the usual 2 pass automatic smoothness! Stayed with alum and Clubman under ISZ for the finish. Cold front came through today, only about 71 F today. Other than that...all is quiet in Colorado.

Have a wonderful Wednesday!

​

August 30 Day Rule

I want to agree with pretty much everything everyone has already said. This thread is invaluable to newbies like myself. Whether it is advice and wisdom from people like Chris or yourself Adam; watching and learning from others progress, successes, and even mistakes; or the ability to keep a daily record of my own progress, successes, and Lord knows mistakes, this forum has been a God send to me. I will probably never use straights, may never own a SE, and may not get an adjustable any time soon, but I will read and digest and try to learn anything I can from all the people using their equipment.

As for my shave today, another good one! Started with a nice smooth WTG pass on the face paying special attention and focus to the chin. I realize that I really need to do more of a half circle around my chin and not just go straight down it (if that makes any sense) in order to get the closest shave without nicks or weepers. The neck got the XTG first pass and it went very well. The area near the bottom just off the centerline of the neck has always been a trouble zone and today it was very nice after just the first pass.

Second pass was XTG on the face and ATG on the neck. Very smooth. Love the GSB blade as it never seems to pull or tug or anything no matter how coarse or thick my growth has become. Paid special attention to the chin again, and especially the crease above the chin. Managed to do a good job with it, but not super smooth. No baby today and I did not chase it. The neck turned out really smooth maybe even baby like. Though I have to admit that was after a couple touch ups on the jaw line.

No blood, no irritation, a good shave! Tomorrow will be back to focusing on the chin and the crease. The jaw line will also get some attention.

Happy shaving!

I bought a sample of it and my first impression was that it had a chemical smell. Since you asked, I went and opened the container and smelled it again. Much less repulsive this time. I guess I have to try it again and update my opinion

...last night's idea, Disco!

I have incorporated tips from all razor disciplines, whether I use the style or not. Adam ( @Drygulch )is the resident sage of strop making. I couldn't imagine a 30 day board without him. His discussions with @HolyRollah and @Seabs and @txskimo , and others about skin stretching and blade angle led me to new techniques that I use daily. Actually several of these guys have been here working with newer guys for the whole year. They know who they are and I appreciate what they do. Thank you for your kind words! I am just the instigator. Everybody else putting in effort is what makes it happen.

You may have tried this....

On the neck, stretch the skin by placing your off hand on your collarbone and pulling the skin downward. It will tighten up the neck and flatten it. Still working on chin perfection, but touch up is inevitable.

You're having a good month.

March Madness. Otherwise, killer oral history of the crew! However, as you stated, there are no "official" themes on this thread, but if your rule fits a theme, do both! I think people should be as involved as possible with as many things as they want on the forum. That's why I tell people in the intro to do SOTD at the same time, for example. No cliques on TSD, just a bunch of guys, on a bunch of regular threads, hanging out because we love this stuff.

August 18, 2015

Adjustable August Slim-apalooza
30-Day Focus - Gillette Slim Adjustable

What did you learn from your shave today? Plenty!
Soap/lather, done right, makes all the difference.

Pre-dinner shave.

Hot Shower
Pre-Shave Oil: Gingers Garden
Soap: Arko (homemade travel stick)
Brush: ? An unknown synthetic (no markings)
Razor: Gillette Slim Adjustable
Blade: Gillette Silver Blue (1)
After Shave: Proraso Green

Slim settings at:
9 - WTG
9 - ATG
No touch-up or repeat strokes. This is as much about technique as it is about finding the best settings on this razor for me.

This was a great shave.

Took yesterday's advice from @Bama Samurai And it worked perfectly!
- skipped the pre shave oil
- Ultra faceloaded Arko (like Tom Sawyer whitewashing a fence!)
- water application to the base of my dry synthetic brush as needed
- face lather

Wow.
Clean, close, comfortable, smooth.

Cheers!
RT

Nice! Arko is a lather bomb. Give your face a few days to see if you can tolerate shaves with no oil. I do feel that it's slicker when I skip the oil. I used oil for a while, then forgot one day to apply it but proceeded to shave. Never went back. Ymmv, skin reacts to soap in subtly unique ways, you need to just be sure the soap isn't going to dry you out and that it agrees with your skin. And ymmv, but this method makes the best and most consistent lather of any technique I have tried.

Hope BC is being good to you! Have fun!

Congrats @mrchick on your CT!

I for one love your avatar and chuckle every time I see it. Don't change a thing!

Though I must say,
Terrible? - No!
Odd? - ahhh, perhaps just a bit?!!

Man, you're not kidding about Arko being the Bomb...
Sometimes after a long hot shower and the whiskers are fully hydrated, I'll just rub that wet Arko stick in tight lottle circles on my whiskers for over a minute....maybe 2 minutes....and when I hit my face with a wet brush BOOM!
I have this vision of someone opening my Shave-Cave door and a wall of lather bursting out with me sliding out in a wave of lather...I see this in black and white looking a little like a Harold Lloyd or Chaplin film...ha,ha...

But when I used to live in Istanbul, the Turkish barbers would over lather with the Arko stick...like a shave stick face massage for a couple min.....and the lather is sooo slick and face protecting...

A cold front is expected shortly in SE Texas, so it is only going to be about 92 (plus just a little humidity). There are definitely times I miss the mountains!

​

1959 E3 Gillette Fat Boy
Vulfix Super Badger (660)
Georgetown G12 Scuttle
Noxzema
Proraso Sandalwood cream
Aqua Velva Ice Blue

Shave #2 with the Personna Platinum (Israeli Reds) in my '59 Fat Boy set to 6. A really nice, smooth, very comfortable shave.


I used Noxzema again: put a thin layer on my stubble before my shower and while I prepared my lather. Then lightly wetted my face and applied lather. The result was a nice slick surface. I used it again for my 2nd pass.
2 Full passes: Pass 1 WTG on my face and XTG on my neck. At this point I was surprised at how close this shave was. I almost had a DFS. Pass 2: ATG. I had very little stubble remaining at this point. Even less than yesterday. A very near BBS. I gave the baby a short chase and caught him quickly. I kept looking during my rinse because I just knew that that I had to have some stubble left, but I couldn’t find any. The Aqua Velva was quiet again today but it did wake up one spot with a tiny bit of stubble that disappeared once the A/S dried.

A really great BBS shave from the Personna Platinum (Israeli Reds) and the Fat Boy bumped up to 6. One of the closest shaves I've ever had.
Boy it sure is fun when you get one of these!

Phoenix Comparison Focus Day 18:

Homemade PS Oil
Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Ben Franklin SS
Gillette Fatboy
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Ben Franklin AS

Last day with my Fatboy, and I couldn't help but chase the baby. I found it, but found a little irritation along with it. All in all, it was a good shave though. It will be difficult to choose between the Fatboy and Phoenix.

As an added bonus, I used Stirling Ben Franklin bath soap along with the shave soap and AS. It is always good starting the day smelling of "old man's pantaloons.". It really is one of my favorite Stirling scents. My wife even likes the bath soap.

30 day Focus - Day 18
MDC Lavender Face Lathered w/ Stirling Glacial Obsidian
Rapira Stainless Blade (Day 2 on blade, Day 6 on Rapira Stainless)
Slim Adjustable set to 8
3 passes

Today's shave finished my use of the Rapira Stainless for this 30 day focus. I will be moving to the Rapira Swedish Stainless tomorrow. The Glacial Obsidian always makes my face feel as if it has a BBS shave, even when I have done a lousy job. I can see how someone could get hooked on menthol.

07/19/2015
Razor – Gillette Slim J3 set on 9
Blade – Feather (3)
Brush – EJ XL STF
Lather – MdC Fougere
Post - Witch Hazel and Fine Platinum



Another very good 3 pass work morning shave. In honor of Carlos aka @wristwatchb I have been will be using the EJ XL STF brush so that I can better offer advise on lathering with the brush. Thus far this week the brush has proved to be a beast in lathering creams, crops and hard soap. I wet the brush and then ring it out before loading the soap. After loading I then start to face lather adding water with my palm to the center of the knot. Some people dip the tips so its just a matter of preference in finding what works best for you. I have to add water several times as I lather but once you have it dialed in it goes very quickly. If a person is just starting out, a good quality synthetic brush might be the way to go for a minimalist approach. Finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum and I'm ready for Wednesday.

Thank you! I can accept odd