...and, as everyone told me, it wasn't shave-ready, so i eagerly await the hone that should arrive in a couple of days. in the mean time, i figured, i'll give it a shot just to get the feel of the movements, and maybe better to do it at a time when it isn't so sharp that a small mistake could remove my head. so i showered, prepped (boar's brush worked beautifully, by the way. glad i didn't blow 60 bucks on badger), stropped it VERY carefully and lightly, and shaved.

it didn't shave very close, but, like i said, it wasn't sharp, and i didn't cut myself.

i did get a feel for the process, and that seems important. i wish i could've thrown my mach 3 out the window right then, but i needed it to finish the job, so i shaved again with that and put everything away carefully.

i'm excited to get a good edge on it, since it felt good just to be shaving with such a dignified instrument; i think this will suit me just fine.