Thread: Benchmarks, milestones, signposts...

Learning any fine skill is a journey, and each man has his own indicators of progress. The first time he managed to strop without nicking or rolling anything, the first shave with no nicks or irritation, the first successful honing, the first multi-pass shave, aso. Learning straight shaving is like learning a foreign language: ultimate perfection is never reached, but at some point, he declares to himself that he is proficient: I speak German; I shave with a straight razor.

I reached that point today, after six months of near-daily practice. I did my usual single-pass shave before work, and was left with barely perceptible stubble felt only against the grain, even on my neck. I'd call that a success, and I'm confident I can repeat it.

Thank you to everyone here: without the combined knowledge of the SRP community, I doubt I should have reached this point.

What are your milestones? What tells you that you have made progress, or reached a new level?

It's different for each new obstacle.
I remember shaping and honing my first eBay special even though it wasn't perfect.
I remember developing the honing technique that enabled me to achieve a shaving sharp edge on most blades.
There was also that subtle day when I realised I was getting my shaves in in under half an hour from lather to clean up.
As was the time I realised that I was stropping faster without trying to.
The most profound was probably discovering when the razor is overhoned and being able to create the finest edge possible without going there.
I'm waiting for the next which I hope will be honing a wedge, but I'm up for anything.

X

Feng_li wrote:
What are your milestones? What tells you that you have made progress, or reached a new level?

That first day my wife reached up, put one hand on each cheek, kissed me and said:

"O-o-o-o-o-h....s-m-o-o-o-o-t-h ! ! !"



(....man, that made all the blood and stitches worth it!)

-whatever

-Lou

I think it took me about 6 months before I realized I was getting really great shaves all over. Probably my milestone was when one day I just was able to maneuver the razor all around my chin with ease and shave atg on my neck almost second nature.