I got interested in wet shaving and shaving with a SR recently and started reading. I stopped shaving about 3 weeks ago, deciding that my next shave will be a real one. I bought a vintage Bismarck unseen but will only get it next week. In between I got an incomplete Rolls razor, to get the hone and went to town yesterday to look for a piece of leather to start with a stropmaking project.

After I got a piece of leather I was lucky to find this little razor at a second hand shop. It looked so small to me, I thought it is a woman's razor. But measuring it later , it does appear to be a 5/8. I thought they were bigger.

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Johan Engstrom. Must be made some time between 1870s and 1915 apparently.
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Razor with Rolls hone

It was a bit rusty in places and the scales are quite warped but for R100 (about 8.5 US$) I did not hesitate. It cleaned up nicely, but was very dull. I took the Rolls razor's hone, spat on it, and started honing lightly. It was soon better. I found it easier after I taped up the spine as I could then better listen to the sound of the edge on the hone. I stropped it a bit on the piece of leather. It shaved very well on my arm or leg, so I decided to attempt my 1st SR shave.

Lathered up with the Arko soap and brush I received through the post on Friday and cautiously started on my cheeks. It felt a bit dull especially on the 3 week old beard, a lot more resistance than shaving on the body. After more stropping and hot water on the face it felt quite ok so I started shaving. Not as sharp as a DE razor but ok. I found the shaving in the mirror thing difficult, (used to shave with a throw away in the shower) and I had trouble with the weak hand getting confused in the mirror. I ended up shaving most of it with my dominant hand. In the end I had no cuts, clean shaven face, not completely smooth everywhere as I did not attempt against the grain shaving, but quite smooth and a bit tender hear and there, so I stopped. I am thrilled with my attempt. I am sure there is a lot to be improved on, both in preparing the razor and in the shaving but it all was not as difficult as expected.

Must say it was very satisfying.