Finally squared away with all this stuff!
So, it seems I'm finally GETTING THERE, sorta, in terms of basically having all that I "need"... Started with that Dovo Inox ebony stainless, and even though I rolled the edge, I finally got it back up on par with my best shaver out of the box so far, which was that C-MON Cadillac. The H. Sears & Son runs about third for an out of the box shave. The Bergfeld & Sohn Globusmen-Gold and the Wapienica were initially tolerable, but now I've honed those on the same 16K Shapton that brought the Dovo back, so as they are up next in the rotation, we'll see... The last one is a Dubl Duck 5/8" quarter-hollow custom restore with horn scales; we'll see how that one shaves tomorrow.
The shaving technique itself is getting better all the time. I'm consistently amazed at how light I can go when the edge is keen and at the correct angle. Considering how good the shave is NOW (minus a cut or two), I'm certain that once my technique is solidified to something closer to how practiced I am with my old Atra Plus, the shave will be amazing at that point. (I find that I have much more control over the razor burn with a straight, as well.)
As for creams, soaps and aftershaves, I started with SRD Vetiver and TOBS Jermyn St. Cream, but now I've got all those samples from SRD and Truefitt & Hill taped up on the mirror, Geo F. Trumper samples on the shelf and TOBS samples stacked by the stones. When the shaving cream/soap set includes a matching balm scent, I use that. Otherwise, I use the TOBS Jermyn St. Cream. I have eschewed the pre-shave oil for now, so it doesn't skew the results of my testing. Once I (hopefully) find something I REALLY like, I'll bring that back into my prep and see what it adds. So far, the only scent I've tried that I've liked more than any other has been the Grafton from Truefitt & Hill, but obviously, there's a LOT left to try...
Anyway, SWMBO is pleased that I won't "need" to buy anything else for awhile... :hmmm: (It occurs to me that some sort of razor rack would be useful...)
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