I have been using only leather for a few months in an attempt to reduce the variables. My plan has been to start using the linen at some point and see if I can detect a difference.

So I've been shaving with the same razor the last two weeks. My routine has been 60 on leather before every shave. Two days ago I shaved and afterward I decided to try out the linen. So after the shave I did maybe 10 strokes on linen, and 10 to 20 on leather before putting the blade away.

Today I shaved again with the same blade. I gave it a good stropping on leather. Lathered and did two passes.

After both shaves I had my wife touch my face. For the first shave, her response had been that I "have gotten closer" in the past. Then today she said that my face felt "softer" than two days ago. She then offered to resign as my post shave face tester, but I declined her resignation and said she will stay in the position.

I think I'm going to be using the linen more in the future. It sure didn't hurt anything.

Michael