Hart razor and First BBS shave!

[VAPDGUY]

That XTC is a tough angle for me. I really struggle especially under the chin. I watched a good video on it and will attempt it my next SR shave. As far as the hart's I am glad to hear that they are working for you. I am hoping to get a W&B as my next SR blade. Would love to get a full wedge blade. In a few weeks I am going to use my felt pad and the diamond spray on the SRD modular paddle strop.

[boshave]

Vapdguy, you'll like the Wade & Butchers. As for the full wedge, I was always leery of full wedge blades because it seems like it would be a LOT of metal to remove when honing. I guess one could use tape for a secondary bevel, but I keep getting a mental image of my hones and workbench covered with swarf!

For the XTC under the chin, I use the part of the edge closer to the heel and a very light touch, relying on many small passes with a light hold on the razor. The heel part of the blade is wielded with a light swinging feel. I let the weight of the razor carry it through the pass, rather than powering it through. My main hurdle is that I had to remind myself that my chin is the typical shape seen on an old fart who has a bit of "chronic biscuit poisoning.." That is, there is a gradual slope from chin to neck. When I tried at first to shave my chin as if I had the angular jaw and chin of an action movie star, things didn't go so well. By accepting what is the actual contour of my chin, I avoided driving the blade into the slope of the chin, if that makes sense. YMMV.

Try to get the most out of the WTG pass, following the contour with a luxurious lather for cushion. Practice, practice, practice perfecting the WTG passes until what's left for the XTC is minimal touch up. Best of luck and enjoy.

[boshave]

I am in the opposite situation to you.... It was just a piece of sharp metal...

Well said, Job15

Isn't it true that there is something indefinable but very, very obvious when we hold our chosen objects of working art. A perfectly good razor seems like dead metal to one and a lively, accomplished friend to another. I find myself reaching for a certain chef's knife even though there are other perfectly qualified, extremely sharp, well designed knives in the rack. I had a pair of boots once which fit so well at the tack shop that I wore them all day, trekking from one horse auction to another, climbing fences and crossing rough fields. My girlfriend warned me that they weren't broken in yet, and I would regret it when I found my feet and ankles chafed and sore at the end of the day. But those boots felt as if they were MINE, as if I had somehow found one of my well worn pair of favorite boots at the shop, somehow disguised as new boots. Not a blister, or ache or even a hint of chafing came from those boots that day or ever. I wore them for years until they just plain wore out. I am dead certain it was before I married that gorgeous woman, because I distinctly remember her saying that she was wrong and I was right...