UPDATE! To any of you other newbies out there, let me know if you know what I'm talking about tonight. I spent a lot of time today reading on SRP about all kinds of stuff from preshave prep to stropping, honing, concealed carry, practically everything. Actually, I was waiting for my beard to grow so I could try another Straight Shave, but I wanted to make sure the time was right and the stars were in proper alignment. After my DFS (Decidedly Fair Shave) yesterday, I thought maybe I needed to wait a little while to let the good luck have a chance to flow back my way like waves on the beach. OK, so I finally decided to take the jump tonight after supper as my daughter and wife overruled me on the TV show choices, so I decided to escape to my mancave...actually now it's a shave cave (6'x4' full bath with shower), to practice our art in private.

OK, so the stars were not aligned properly, at least they didn't seem to be after my sideburn to jaw shave test WTG. Heck, I even went to extremes with preshave prep hoping the test of my fairly new razor would prove it is indeed shave ready and only my method stinks. Well, after the first N-S pass, hardly any whiskers were gone. OK, so maybe my angle wasn't right, or perhaps the lather was too dry, or maybe my mouth should be closed, or was that open, hell I don't know. The more I shaved, the more I got determined to get something right...but with a little intimidation about the possibility of ending up like that jerk who cut his throat goofing around in that video. I got a few nicks here and there, but I also jumped right into ATG in spots that typically don't get too close. Re-lather, try some more, slap on some more water with another brush stroke, try another pass only with a different stroke. I must have shaved some places four or five times, but out of those times I must have gotten something right.

After giving up for done, and jumping in the shower, I realized that I really did get a fairly close shave even if I did have to fight for it. Now, the way I see it, if I had a dull razor, or a rolled edge, I wouldn't be able to get a close shave anywhere on my face no matter what I did, so it must be me and not my razor. The fact is that after yesterday, I felt pretty good about my shave but it was mediocre. Tonight, I didn't feel good about my methods at all...let me say that again for emphasis, AT ALL, but yet I ended up with a better shave than yesterday. I'm not quite sure what to think, but I think I like the way a close shave feels no matter the means to get there. I think I'll lay off tomorrow and try again Saturday morning after the stars have had a chance to get back into alignment. I read today where one fellow said that things went well for him up until something like his 17th shave and BANG, he got bit. I can totally see that. OK, here's to a happy straight razor new year. Maybe this time next year I will think back about tonight and just laugh. Happy New Year Gents. Rob