I decided to have my first shave with the Artist RG with the guarded blade. I thought several shaves with this to reach a level of comfort and then I will be ready for the razor Lynn is sending me.
Slipped it gently through a cork twice. Did all the usual preparation work. Hesitated touching the sideburn and remembered the advice to keep moving. Observed constantly to keep the angle but did move it up and down on the cheek to feel the difference with angle (huge). Shaved entire right side of face, lip starting a touch low at the nostrils (nervous) and down and under the side of the chin on both sides. Slick nick at where left lip moves into cheek. Shaved neck up with the grain all around. Switched to left hand but could not seem to see what I was doing all that well trying to start at left sideburn, but went ahead anyway and shaved entire cheek area. Back to right hand, lathered, fininshed chin line all around up to ears. Had to use my DE under the nose and the prominent part of chin. But am amazed at the shave! Need to learn to get into the zen part, focus and relax but loved it, hands calmed quickly. Amazing shave, can't believe how close just going against the grain and partially across the grain afterwards.
Thanks for the world of knowledge your house brings, like a smithsonian library. It is all there, just read it and step up to the plate.
I figure 10 more shaves with this razor, 5 with the professional blade then I will pass the entire set to a friend who wants to buy it and try wet shaving as well.
Can't wait to try the razor from SRD and begin to master better shaving but the strop and honing as well (that's where my barber buddy comes in).
Thanks to all!