First and foremost, Thank you Ryan for starting a thread which has provoked so many opinions, I have found a great deal of this to be entertaining and educational.

My dad always told me growing up that if someone makes somethig look easy, it is very likely that they are quite skilled at the task. It is silly (IMO) to assume being new to straights that I am capable of doing the things that I see done in the videos. On the other hand, I am not unaccustomed to using leather to strop a blade. For me it is like second nature. It is difficult to understand how some of the battle hardened "experts" will not divert from the opinion that noobs will always roll the razor's edge. But that is irrellevant.

Like Dean says be deliberate, use your brain, and have a good time. This is a hobby, something to be enjoyed. We are dedicated to taking the boring out of this mundane task and make it something worth enjoying. So have fun.

I wish the best of luck to you in your shaving endeavors.