30 Day Rule/Focus; September 2024. All Are Welcome!

Hello everyone.

We are approaching a change of seasons. Some members will start bringing out Fall appropriate soaps and aftershaves while others will start using Spring setups. It's definitely a wonderful time of year no matter where you guys reside. Looking forward to see what you guys bring to the shave counter.

In any event, I am glad to say that everyone had great shaves and I am grateful that you guys continue to post your shaves here. I want to thank you for sharing items that some of us may not be familiar and that's one of the reasons why this thread exists. Again, thank you for your continued support. I truly appreciate it.

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)

 

As always Joe, another wonderful introduction to the month.

 

1st September 2024.



​

Shaving Recipe for today.

Prep: Warm shower:/Bulldog Peppermint & Eucalyptus Shower Gel.

Pre:
Cold wet flannel to my face.
Cien PURE Fragrance Free Sensitive Bar Soap.
Brush: Omega 11137.
Bowl Lather.
Bowl: Tesco's Ceramic 'Cosmo' Side Bowl.
Lather: HWF (No.1)Lanolin Shaving Soap with Cedarwood & Patchouli.
Blade: Personna PTFE SS. (D1)
Razor: Gem Featherweight. Pre-1954.

Post:
Cold Water Face Rinse./Cold water face wash with brush squeezing's, /Alum Rub./Cold Water Rinse./Homemade (~Spring/Summer mix~) Lemon, Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Essential Oils.5 Menthol Crystals Mixed Together With Care+Witch Hazel./Pashana Original ASL/ Baylis & Harding Amber & Sandalwood ASB.

Greetings,

Relaxing Sunday Morning Shave.

A wonderful performance from the Gem Featherweight...The fresh Personna PTFE SS blade cut through my stubble with effortless ease.

A great shave to start September off on a high note.

Finishing the shave off with a few small dollops of Baylis & Harding Amber & Sandalwood ASB.

My face is feeling super smooth & smelling divine.

Keep safe and enjoy your Sunday ladies & gentlemen.

 

Thank you Barry. I appreciate the kind words. Writing is not my forte, but I try to be creative when I do the intros. In any event, it's good for my 69 yr old brain to exercise my linguistical capabilities.

 

Super inaugural shave for September Barry.

 

Another fine intro Joe.

I have given some thought to my approach for the mo th of September. In the past I have done the following:
1. Samples Soap September
2. SE Semtember - using all types of single edge paraphernalia in the den.

This month I will go with a predominant hardware and software version.
For the hardware, I will use my straight razors save for Micromatic Mondays.
For the software, I will lean towards a Stirling Semptember, for at least 20 shaves, with some favoritism towards the Stirling samples in the den to aid in possibly finishing one of two of them.
The remaining software choices for the month will come from Declaration Grooming Monday possibly the Lakewood soaps. Of course I could be tempted to pop in an Atomic Pumpkin as well to go with the upcoming Fall theme.

 

Wonderful shave Barry.

 

Thank you Joe. I like your shaving itinerary for this month.

 

Thank you, Joe.

 

Thank you, Joe.

 

-The-Sunday-Shave
canadian new de luxe
simpson
tobs



good morning gents
fabulous sandalwood shave today
slow and luxurious 2 passer with a fine razor and rich tobs lather
matching splash and cologne to finish
awesome
***
will continue to ease into fall/winter fragrances and products
maybe an SE or 2
possiblle new product to come as well..
have a fine long Labour Day weekend to those that have one,
and a fantastic one for the rest.
​

 

Thank you Joe. Already have October formulated.

 

Lovey sandalwood shave Gary.

 

SRS # 1160 - Sample Soap Sunday - Agar

Rating: 5 / 5

Razor: Genco-Old Dutch 3/4”

Brush: Jack Skully

Pre-Shave: Pears Transparent Soap

Lather: Stirling Agar

Aftershave: Stirling Agar

Additional Care:

Omega Alum

Dickenson’s Original Witch Hazel
Stirling Unscented Glacial Balm

Superb Stirling shave to start of the month. As stated earlier I will be featuring my Stirling software for a majority of the shaves this month. Additionally, the single edges in my den, predominantly straight will be featured. The DE’s will take a break this month. I will make it up to them in December.

Awesome three pass shave with the Genco straight has left my face super smooth that received the SOA from the missus. I have come to realize that of the many Oud fragrances in my den, the Stirling Agar is the darkest. Unfortunately, it appears to no longer be attainable. Good thing I picked up the after shave. Perhaps down the road it will be in the manufacture cue of the Stirling soap production. Perhaps even a Fall seasonal scent.

Hope you all have a great day.

 

thank you Joe.

 

splendid sample september sunday shave Joe.

 

September 1 SOTA Head and Face Shave

Good afternoon.

GEM MMOC
Schick Injector Blade (8,9)
L'Occitane Plisson Synthetic Brush
Stirling Spice SS and AS
Stirling Alum Block
Personal Care Witch Hazel
Beard Growth: 30 hrs
Done Turf: 3.25 days



I figure that I start the month with a face and head shave and double themed it with my setup. I picked the GEM razor because it shaves my dome and face very well, especially with the Schick Injector Blade.
Did 3 passes on the dome and 2 passes on the face for an error-free BBS result.

I picked Stirling Spice because it just has a marvelous scent and obviously, the performance speaks for itself. Here's my lather:



Did get alum feedback on my neck, but it was minimal on my dome. Topped the shave with the witch hazel and the glorious, matching aftershave. Take care.

 

Beautiful razor and excellent shave Gary. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

 

I am not surprised.

 

Great start to the month Joe and the straight looks great.