30 Day Rule/Focus; October 2025. All Are Welcome!

Todays shave is 10/10 no cuts and no reopening of cuts even when using dial 4 for most of the shave except for one missed very odd spot and light whiskers I used on dial 1. Today is shave 18 on the top/total with the Personna 100 pack made in USA I bought in late 2017.

I used as always, my H 2 or 1962 Gillette Adjustable slim handle shaver without the case.

I shaved after the shower, so I did not need to use any of the shave soap I made from a small hotel lotion and soap/conditioner in the bottle but I did use some Dial foaming hand soap just enough to keep the blades lightly jagged edge from the first time using the Twin Stropper with metal and clear plastic window from being an issue. I did keep the blade wet as needed, face like usual with after shower shave did not need to be kept wet but had the soap instead.

 

October 3 SOTM

Good evening.

Straight Razor Shave #614
6/8 Ralf Aust w Cocobolo Scales
Rockwell Model T version 1 (Setting 5)
Super Max DE Blade (fresh)
MrEE Tuxedo Brush
Stirling Tsuka SS, AS and EdT (not pictured)
Stirling Alum Block
Lucky Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 3 Days
Dome Turf: 7 Days



Sorry for this late post for this morning's shave. I only needed 2 passes with my straight for a very close and smooth shave. However, I nicked myself lower left ear lobes and my right lower neck. The alum took care of them. I was surprised because earlobes tend to bleed profusely and be difficult to clot. Did 2 passes on the dome with the same close result. Unfortunately, I got 2 weeps on my upper anterior left temple, a couple of weeks on the back of my head and a nice nick on my nape. I was doing a great imitation of an old style barber of the early 1800's because they were "surgeons" as well. Lol! The alum really stung on my cranium. Applied the witch hazel to tone down my skin. Splashed on the matching aftershave and boy did I felt the burn. Lightly sprayed the matching EdT on my wrists and the middle of my neck. I figured that I needed to smell that awesome scent to make the shave bearable. Yes, I did load the brush to lather my face instead of a bowl lather. Take care.

 

Thanks Gary

Great pic of the Minora. You have a fondness for this razor, it pops up frequently

Great info thanks Gary

Super shave Joe

Nice lesson for us all about dulling blades

When the little buggers become tuggers rather than cutters they deserve what they get, a prompt dispatch to the blade bin

No resurrections for these little dullards

Past its used-by date ? ........>>>>> off to the skip to eventually be recycled

Fab shave and pic Gary

Satisfactory 2 passer Joe, pity about the minor surgical mishaps it happens to us all! Lol!

I see you are stoking my Tsuka envy again!

 

Saturday 04 Oct 2025

2 Days growth

I am settling in to an alternate day shave routine it seems

Cream = TOBS OUD
Brush = Semogue
Razor = Aristocrat ~1947
Blade = Iridium (3)
Passes = 2 +
ASL = Proraso laced with Oud drops

Iridium still good, not quite as keen as on day 1 and 2. Will use this until it starts to drag, then it will be duly dispatched

I anticipate it will start dulling day 4 or 5

Great to have these disposable blades and not need to strop and hone like in them olden days

The barndoors look more scuffed than they actually are, but I have razors that much worse than that and still work fine, which is where having a slick lather comes into it own

Super smooth start to a mild and windy Saturday

I will stick with this theme for a few more shaves

Have a great day one and all

 

thank you Chris.i have the gillette logo'ed version as well but i like the minora just a bit more..i also got the minora from a good friend and member here.

 

stunning set up and pic Chris.my u.s '47 'crat is well worn also,but shaves perfectly.i got it from the grandson of the original owner.he was happy to know i was a big gillette enthusiast..

 

As @brit Gary said, A stunning shave set up & photo Chris.

 

4th October 2025.



​

Shaving Recipe for today.

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

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face & head.
Pears Transparent Bar Soap.
Brush: Frank Shaving 22mm Synthetic.
Bowl Lather.
Bowl: Tesco's Ceramic 'Cosmo' Side Bowl.
Lather: Proraso Sandalwood & Shea Butter Shaving Soap.
Blade: Feather Hi Stainless. (D1)
Razor: Mühle R41. (2013)
Razor: Gillette Guard. (Head) - (D1)

Post:
Cold Water Face & Head Rinse./Cold water face & head wash with brush squeezing's /Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse./Homemade (~Autumn/Winter mix~) peppermint lavender, eucalyptus, + Tea Tree essential Oils Mixed Together With Care +Witch Hazel./L'0REAL Barber Club Reinforcing ASB./Ard Al Zafran Dirham Oud EDP.

(Face & Head Shave)

New Shave set up to start the weekend.

Now that I have much required shaving confidence and my technique has vastly improved I can now pair the R41 with assertive DE blades and get a close comfortable shave without being afraid to shave with it without the fear of my shave ending in a blood shaving massacre. Good technique and shaving confidence are the key to comfortable error-free shaves. Using the lightest of touch it mowed through my stubble with effortless ease with no irritation weepers, or cuts.

"What a wonderfully efficient shaving tool the Mühle R41 is". I need to start using this razor more often.

I find the Feather Hi Stainless give me 4 Max smooth & efficient shaves then like most blades after that the longevity & smoothness of them deteriorates very quickly which isn't a big issue for me I'm not a one to push a blade to just get an extra shave from them, occasionally I take a DE blade beyond 4 outings, but my rule of thumb is 4 shaves then the blade is binned. I always have "quality, rather than quantity" in mind with any blade I'm shaving with regardless of its cost or reputation.

Without repeating myself I have mentioned before in my postings I find over-sharpness in a blade is an Achilles heel and burns out quickly that's why I prefer DE blades that are slightly less sharp as in my personal opinion they keep their cutting edge longer & overall are more durable to use.

A close comfortable face & head shave with no errors to report.

Finishing the shave off with a few small squirts of Ard Al Zafran Dirham Oud EDP to the pulse points.

My face & precious swede are feeling smooth and smelling divine.

Stay safe, and enjoy the start of the weekend ladies & gentlemen.

 

absolutely fabulous start toi the weekend Barry

 

Thank you Gary.

 

Well done Joe.
This is one of my favorite threads on any shaving forum.
Cheers Mate.

 

Saturday Morning 03/10/2025

• Razor : Razorock German Slant (China) /Unknown SS Handle.
• Blade : Gillette Nacet Stainless (1). (Russia)
• Brush : PAA Amber Aerolite 24mm Synthetic . (USA)
• Soap : Razorock For Chicago Italian Shaving Soap . (Italy)
• Aftershave : Genuine Ogallala bay rum and Vanilla. (USA)
• Weight : 94 grams. (Razor/Handle)

Hi all,
Yet another wet cool day here in Perth WA and just when I was thinking "Arr spring is finally here".
I had a fine shave this morning with the Razorock German slant as I only have the head which is made of some sort of chrome plated metal I put it onto an unknown stainless steel handle which balance wise wasn’t the best with the handle accounting for most of the weight.
The German slant shave’s very similar to how the original Merkur 37C did before Merkur changed the specs slightly to decrease the blade feel and efficiency of the 37C (my opinion only).
This is from my own comparison of the current 37C and older 37C and the German slant with the same blade loaded.

The Gillette Nacet stainless pairs up well with this razor as it one of the sharper DE blades. (again my opinion only)

The Razorock for Chicago soap is slick and smooth whipping up into a nice thick lather giving good protection and the pleasing sent.

Finished off nicely with Genuine Ogallala bay rum and vanilla splash a wonderful fresh clean scent.

One pass WTG one pass ATG done no touch ups.
One small nick no worries.

Cheers.

 

Very nice mate.

 

Wow amazing the shave was not worse you did a good job on the cuts.

From what I hear the T1/T2 is a model meant to replicate the Adjustable in the 1950's fat handle style, if anyone has both let me know if my thoughts are right.

 

Lovely pic and info mate.
As for the razor as they say
It don't matter what the paint looks like its whats under the hood that counts.
Cheers.

 

Great shave and review Barry.
Cheers.

 

I agree with the exception of light stropping to go past 1--3 days of normal, this is why I am no longer trying to push up to 60 days for specific blades since 2020--2021 and only getting 30--35 on average with only some lucky blades from my bought in late 2017 Persona 100 blade made in USA pack getting up to 40 shaves but maybe there could be one from the bought in early 2025 blade set as well that could push up to 40, I have not used those newer blades enough to tell if the blade could get to this level.

I call it like asthma inhaler counter on the blades and once past X the blade is toast.

 

Wow..lovely job this morning, as I opened my Oud collection on this month of OUDtober. I'm real glad that Doc Ezlovan has added another Oud scent to his collection at Stoylin, in this case Oud Sigma. Agar is fine, but IMO Oud Sigma beats it. You get a little more of the Oud sensation with Siggy. Clean, clear shave across the board. 2 healthy passes. No issues of negativity. Solid finish with Agadir 4 Men A.S. I think I'll still have some of that left after OUDtober for the rest of the cold season...it may well be time to place another order of it for next fall/winter though, but no immediate hurry. I know some members here are very happy with their own OUD groups, but so am I with Agadir. As Outstanding As It Gets.

 

Thank you.

 

fine weekender shaves gentlemen.