You didn't mention it but have you tried skin stretching on the earlier passes. I stretch my skin with my off hand as I make my XTG pass over my trouble spots. This helps avoid having to make so many passes and touch ups. I also have one spot on my right lower neck that I just don't get perfect most days.

I do stretch. Use my off hand, tilt my head, contort my face, whatever I can do. But maybe I'm stretching wrong? If anyone has a good face stretching video is be happy to watch it.

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As everyone knows, Saturday is a no shave day for moi. Yesterday I found my VDH razor. It was in the back of the vanity wrapped up in a piece of silicon cloth. So I wiped it down and decided to use it again. I only used it for a month when I first started this thing of ours. When I got my DE89BL I put it away. Since I'm not really enamored of the Parker 99r, I'm thinking of adding the VDH to the rotation. So tomorrow with a Wilkinson Sword loaded, it's a trip down memory lane for Easter.

I almost never use something more then one day in a row. That being said, I have used my Jayaruh #137 Synthetic for the last 3 shaves. I am having to learn how it works. This is my first time using asynthetic. The brush has an Ace knot in it. I am determined to learn the trick to it,and will continue to use it until I do.

If you named it ole yeller you could make a movie about the shave.

The skin stretching is one tip I picked up from our brothers on the Dark Side. I usually take advantage of it on my first pass to try and get a good shot at my jawline. Works great.

Very funny rabbit.

Whoo hoo! I finally got a unicorn!

Clint.

Do you have an Alum bar? If so, run wet fingers on it to give them grip on wet, soapy skin. This was a game changer for the quality of my shaves.

Well, unlike everyone else here, I will give you an honest and unbiased opinion of those handles -- they're dreadful. In fact, they're so awful that you need to get rid of them immediately - by mailing them to me.

Now, while you are thinking about that, just imagine I am holding a pocket watch in front of your eyes and swinging it back and forth, back and forth on its chain. Follow the imaginary pocket watch with your eyes -- back and forth, back and forth. You are getting veery sleeepy... You are getting an irresistible urge to get rid of your awful brush handles by mailing them to Screwtape because he's such a nice, friendly, trustworthy guy....

So, can I expect to get those horribly dreadful handles soon, , or do I need to demand my $50 back from my course on How To Hypnotize People Over The Internet Into Giving You Their Stuff?

Serously, your dad does excellent woodwork and the figuring on that piece of wood he used is gorgeous.

Thanks...I think. I looked it up and apparently Sayuri means either 'small lily' or is a term of endearment for a girl in Japanese. That is somewhat comforting, as I was worried it might be a direct translation to 'stupid barbarian' or 'cuban necktie'.
Is this a good time to acknowledge that I have never used an open blade of any kind? Peer pressure is a nasty thing...

I hope this isn't some sort of reference that we will be squealing like a little Japanese girls after attempting to use them!

Happy Easter!

Peer pressure can also lead to fun new experiences.
On the positive side, it's a small blade that won't leave as big a scar as a full size straight
Glad you stepped up. It will be fun.

Any words of samurai wisdom and instruction would certainly be appreciated prior to undergoing this foolishness!

Looking forward to it...I mean, what's the worst that can happen anyway?

You'll have a good time.

What's the worst that could happen with a pink razor?

My words of wisdom:

Don't let the blade penetrate your skin.
Don't get nuts with Osage.

Carry on.

You're a brave dude.

Your best hope is to go watch the shave test video by @gssixgun

It's pretty much what I did.

Remember these words. " Hold my beer and watch this"