First shave with a razor I honed myself
So, I'd been straight razor shaving for a couple years, had just the one Thiers-Issard that was serving me just fine. Then, for whatever reason, I got the itch to find another razor or 2 that were vintage. Each time I googled the name of a potential candidate this forum would come up with some really good discussion and supportive atmosphere. It seemed like a good idea to register to make my research easier. After joining I see there's a new member introduction section. Typically on a forum I lurk and maybe post a reply if I have something unique to add, don't typically start a thread, but they're asking me to so what the hell "hi everyone". In that thread I'm informed that there's a meetup nearby very soon. At first I don't really consider it because I don't have much to offer, but eventually I hear there will be beers before noon so I go. There I learn more about honing than I ever thought I would know in my lifetime. I have a couple credit cards that give me Amazon points, so I check and wouldn't you know it, all the hones are there that I would need to get started, so I pick some up. Fast forward to today and I'm shaving with an antique razor that I honed myself.
Now, to be fair, the shave was not perfect, but it was better than my "shave ready" factory Dovo so I think I'm on the right track, and I'll only get better from here. On the first of this month I had no ambition to hone my own razor, now I have razors* plural and am honing my honing skills (see what I did there?).
So, thanks SRP, you guys are alright.