Welcome to the June 2021 30-Day Rule/Focus Pix and Discussion!
We’re a group of enthusiasts who primarily help newcomers get consistently great shaves and hopefully start enjoying the process of traditional wet shaving.
The
30-Day Crew originated in January 2015, and the party continues after 78 consecutive months! Over the years, several gents have led the charge, including
@Bama Samurai (Chris),
@NCoxSTL (Neal), and
@Primotenore (Joseph). Joseph continues as our fearless and fragrant kingpin, but I serve as your humble guest host this month.
We’re a friendly bunch, and we use first our names. I’m Charlie, a lifelong Kentuckian, and I like to shave well, have fun, live dangerously, tell time, and overindulge in ice cream. Some of us have been here awhile, so please excuse the inside jokes. Stick around, and you’ll soon find yourself knee-deep in the shenanigans!
So, what’s a 30-Day Rule?
30-Day Rule: use one razor, one brand of blades, one shaving brush, and one shave soap or cream for a month. This allows you to eliminate variables, use time-tested techniques, evaluate your results, seek out advice as needed, and repeat the process. Many newcomers master their shaving technique using this approach and soon find themselves helping others.
What kind of razor, brand of blade, shaving brush, soap, cream, etc. should I use for my rule?
Pick one setup, and stick with it. If blue is your favorite color, pick the blue razor. If you like shiny stuff, polished chrome is definitely the way to go. Skip the blade sampler, and pick one brand. Any of them will be fine, and it’s the same story for shaving brushes. Use a shave soap or cream that lathers easily and has a nice scent…or no scent if that’s your thing. Let your nose and budget decide. Bottom line,
the setup you use during a rule does not matter if your tools and products are not defective.
Many folks have concluded that
Technique Trumps Tools. In other words, any properly functioning shave tool can deliver acceptable results. That’s great news, especially if you found your razor in an attic or purchased your shaving brush at a yard sale. After you’ve developed mastery, you’ll shave well with most anything and can then enjoy a wide variety of experiences.
How about a 30-Day Focus?
30-Day Focus: improve or learn more about some aspect of your technique. You may choose to use a certain razor, while varying other items in your setup, to fine-tune some aspect of your shaving technique. Or you might use a different razor each day and keep everything else the same. Maybe you want to experiment with different lathering methods or rotate through all the shave brushes in your collection? Some of the hoarders…uh…gents here will use a focus to consume a shaving product in order to make room for something new. Use your imagination. The sky – or your pocketbook - is the limit.
Anything else?
If neither a rule nor a focus turns your crank, do it your way! We’re just glad you’re here. Detailed posts and photos are not necessary, but they’re helpful and are always appreciated. Don’t fret if you can’t respond to everyone. Life gets busy. We understand.
We play nice and follow
forum rules. In particular:
1.
Everyone is welcome. Newcomers are encouraged to participate and ask questions in order to learn. That’s the main reason we’re here. Some of us hang around to help others and learn new things, for the comradery, or to show off our latest tool or foo-foo product.
Beware that the conversation may wander into grilled foods, ice cream, cookies, dogs, life, tractors, family, boot camp, motorcycles, bead shows, retirement, Alabama football, work, unapproved Pennsyltucky straight razor honing methods, home improvement projects, diesel trucks, haute horology, music, Oud fragrances, shopping at Piggly Wiggly, fast cars, etc., but it eventually returns to shaving.
Occasionally, one of our resident craftsmen will show off a handmade item. Fragheads have even infiltrated our ranks and stunk up the place.
This is the friendliest and most helpful corner of the Internet, and we know there’s more to life than shaving. We don’t care if you put your feet on the furniture. Just don’t hog all the cookies.
2.
Respect everyone. The Golden Rule applies, and good-natured fun is welcomed.
3.
Avoid sensitive topics. This is a hobby forum with a global membership, so we strive to keep the conversation informative, encouraging, and fun for everyone.
So, invite someone to tag along with you, and let's make June a month where everyone learns something, has a blast, and keeps their blood off the steel. Click to expand...
