So, I got this Sheffield silver-steel razor from my father that I sent out for honing and slight restoration work. I couldn't wait to give it a try when it got back as I had never shaved with a real shave ready razor before (about 20 shaves at that point with another of my fathers razors that I had been maintaining). Sliced my ear pretty good and nicks and cuts everywhere (turned out ok, went to a social event and probably looked dangerous). .
About 80 shaves under my nose and wanted to try this blade again now I had a bit more experience. With a bit of trepidation I stropped the razor with linen and leather, prepped my face nicely, built up a rich lather and had a rough shave. Could only assume I'd messed up the edge earlier stropping it.
Last night I pulled out the hones and put it on a series of Arkansas stones, crox pasted linen, leather.
This morning I woke excited: going to finally get this slender blade to sing! Broke out a new soap (Saponificio Varsino, Manna di Sicilia!), my favorite brush and gave it a whirl.
No longer scared of the 4/8th!!! Even tried the 'fools pass' after reading about it in a thread here (most of what I've learned about shaving with a straight I got from this forum).
Even posted it in the Shave of the Day.
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My rotation is now at 4; probably enough....
Paul