So it happened the other day... My shaves had been improving over the last couple months and I 'thought' I had it down. After all, I've been shaving with a SE, off and on, for the last 10 years. So I must be doing it right with my straight. I think I have been fooling myself into thinking my shaves were better than they really were.

Recently, I bought my daughter a very pristine Gillette Slim for her birthday at the end of June. Its just been sitting there so I figured i'd give it a go or six before I gave it to her so I could be sure to show her how to use it properly. I picked up a set of personna blades (I know from experience these are not the best, nor will be what I give her to use) just to try it out. I was expecting a decent shave (and decent irritation thanks to the blades, which didn't disappoint) but what I didn't expect was the immediate realization that my straight shaves have been absolute chit!

So I'm coming back to [s]Jesus[/s] SRP, so to speak. Not that I went anywhere, but I wasn't focusing in the right place. I think I've been spending a little too much time window shopping in the classifieds and galleries. No more RAD (except for that last thing I bid on at the bay), no more antique stores, strops, brushes, creams, soaps, lotions, ointments, butters or buiscuts. Well, I still need an alum block, but that doesn't count.

Does what I'm saying resinate? Were you ever lost, but now found? Have you ever danced with the Devil by the pale moon light? Forget that last one...Seriously though, if you had to step back and re-examine the quality of the shave you are getting what did you do to get back on course? What one piece of advice or technique helped get you the best shave you can get? How did you overcome the plateau of mediocrity and ascend to summit of smooth?