5 shaves (come on 6!), 3 strops, 3 razors!
Shave 5! Down with straight, up with DE
Had my 5th shave this morning - I'm spending a week doing the first pass (WTG and XTG) with the straight and my 2nd pass (ATG) with the DE.
Cuts!
I seem to now only cut myself when I pause the blade on my face - this happens when I stop to think of what next. (Note to self - take blade off face, then think about what to do next).
Lathering
I've been experimenting with my lather - trying to make it wet and slippery enough, re-applying, using mug and / or lathering direct on face.
Multiple strops! (Oh-oh, I'm starting to accumulate stuff)
I made my leather strop, then last night made a denim strop from some old jeans, and tonight made a seat belt strop (scavenged from our old baby car seat).
Tomorrow I'll try stropping on the 3 strops (seat belt, denim and then leather) to see how the blade goes.
Blade sharpness
Probably need to get a better sharpening for blade, but it has been functioning. (I don't want to send the razor away, because then I can't use it!) I'll see how things go for another week anyway. (I'd also like to get a couple of hones).
3 razors
I've got 3 now - using the Bengall, thinking about restoring the other Bengall (both my great grandfather's) and just picked up a Bleckman (with chipped scales and ok blade in need of honing) from local op.shop.
The journey!
I'm enjoying learning and developing my understanding and skill with the straight razor - it's kind of weird looking forward to your next shave so you can try something else out and improve what you're doing. It's a nice way to start the day.
All the best,
Michael