It's like riding a bike....
Yesterday I had my first straight razor shave for over a year. Basically I got to a point where I so busy and was staying away from home so much due to work I just stopped using my straights and went to a DE for convenience, and after a few months sold all of the straights and strops (yes I know, stupid idea).
So last week I purchased a well used but nice 6/8 TI SRP LE from this forum which needed re-pinning (one of the pin collars had fallen off). Luckily I still have my 'razor restoration box' in the garage so giving it a clean up and re-pin was no problem.
I'm still waiting on my new strop from Tony, but yesterday morning I decided what the hell and thought I'd have a straight shave anyway. I stropped the razor up on the palm of my hand, which was not ideal but just about acceptable.
The shave went ok, there was a bit of pulling when doing the mustache and the tops of the sideburns, but it went fine. It's amazing how you just seem remember the technique once it has become ingrained, and you remember almost exactly how much pressure/angle to use. I did a WTG pass, and then a combination XTG/ATG pass (basically exactly what Lynn does on his DVD if you've seen that - which has always worked for me). No nicks, no cuts, and almost BBS all over. What I'd forgotten (which impressed me a lot after a year DE shaving) is the comfort of the shave, and the fact that my cheeks/jaw/chin were still smooth at 10pm last night - which never happens with a DE.
In fact my face is still pretty smooth this morning almost 24hrs later, and what stubble there is that's starting to come through feels totally different to DE stubble.
I'll probably leave the next shave for a few days until my strop arrives, as I think a proper stropping will sort out some of the pulling. The previous owner had done a very decent honing job on the razor, though my preference is for it to be a little sharper. As luck would have it, my new selected grade Belgian yellow coticule arrived yesterday from (from Ardennes Coticule - natural sharpening stones from Vielsalm Belgium. - typically just after I'd shaved) so I touched up the razor 20 strokes with a slurry, and 20 strokes with just water to polish. With a stropping it should be just about perfect.
I'm very glad to be back, and looking forward to my next shave! :tu
Unfortunately, I've also started perusing Maestro Livi's website again (why oh why did I sell my 3, especially the Takeda Damascus!?! :rant: ), which is not a good thing since I'm currently out of work! :fim: