Well today I broke out the new Wilkinson Sword TTO for its maiden voyage and it was smooth sailing ahead. Hadn't shaved since last week sometime and it feels soooo good to be smooth again. 1st time using a Wilkinson blade also. When you use proper technique this razor rewards you with a very close smooth shave. The finish is perfect and doors line up perfectly also. I was weary at first buying this razor but now I'm happy I did.This was a great economy setup today and best 20 bucks I spent in a long time .

Well, I do have enough soap to last me through next year and somewhat beyond, but I decided to go for Proraso Green to add to my den. It's less expensive than Stirling soaps and I figured I give a menthol infused soap a shot! In my prior wet shave era, I haved used canned shaved cream with menthol in it so I am aware of the tingling, but I am not sure of the Proraso. It will probably be fine.

Patrick, you and I were fortunate to like and enjoy our new razors this week. Keep on shaving with it, my friend!

@jluc - meanwhile, in Henderson.

Great shave and picture, Patrick! Glad your new razor is a winner!

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Just rolled through here as well. I saw a few that size but fortunately not many.
It's about time to go poke around the humidor and see what jumps out at me.

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Gillette LC New
Feather Stainless
Omega 10029 boar
Arko Stick
Superior 70

The shave tonight was pretty good aside from a slight weeper on my neck. Apparently, I had a small pimple that I didn't see or feel before the shave. Other than that one spot, it was a close and comfortable 2 pass shave. Enjoy your day.

As Joseph @Primotenore notes - loose pins make for the scales getting in the way. If the pin at the hinge point is tight & the wedge set correctly the scales will stay in whatever position you place them. Ninety degrees slightly open or passed half way helps to index the angle of the blade. If the scales are pointed straight with the blade there's a counter balance action like a heavy handle on a DE making the blade seem lighter. Each SR shaver benefits from trying the different grinds. A very hollow blade may have some flex where the wedge blades are a stiff hunk of steel. All things that make more sense when you have one up against your face. To use the kamisori style the scales just aren't there. This Clone of mine has a rubberized handle with a bit of upswing at the end. My hands are becoming accustomed to the shape so indexing (the amount of angle) is happening on it's own. The rubber coating, like the cord wrap on Blair's @b1hart gives plenty of grip. I'm not even having problems with wet or soapy hands and I'm switching left to right and reapplying lather as I go.

Thanks Joe! Not my first rodeo. I started my Wet Shave Journey with a Sight Unseen SR from Larry at Whipped Dog and a shavette using Personna hair shaper blades. Later I got into DE & SE. I haven't done the more dedicated Rule like you, Joseph @Primotenore, and others. So my skills build up, then I backslide. Never totally loose the techniques, just need to rediscover them again. This is my first try at the kamisori style and I'm liking it. Being adverse to the idea of honing the shavette blade holder is working great!

Thanks Clint! I haven't seen you with a Pain Stick yet... You do have a razor or two that use the Feather AC blades?

Jim (?) @jtface - there's much in common between a real carbon steel razor and a shavette. Biggest difference being the thinness of that disposable blade that can catch you without warning.
As to the different grinds traditional Japanese razors were meant to be used by a servant on the masters beard. The assumption was a right handed barber would hold the razor in his dominant hand and do the shave without switching hands. So the blade is ground asymmetrically - more flat on one side with the scooped out grind mostly done on the other. Then us Westerners got interested, and changed the traditional shape to what you are familiar with - a grind on both sides making a symmetric shape that can be used in any orientation or hand. These modern shavette type kamisori are symmetric in their shape.

Check this thread for some honing and shopping ideas. Glen @gssixgun has honed them, sold them, and recommended a couple ebay dealers. There are modern kami makers, but like SR's they tend to be Japanese Artisans and can ask high prices. With all vintage razors there's the same pitfalls of worn out damages antiques. Since this style hasn't been popular in Western countries there's less of a market.

Today I switched to the Ralf Aust for a while. Mine, too, has a pivot pin that could be just a smidgen tighter. But still a fantastic razor. Throw in some Stirling, and you have the makings of a first-rate shave. One minor oops on the neck wasn't enough to spoil it.

I have three razors that use the artist club blades but I do not have a pain stick.

Great looking shave Robert .

thank you Patrick.. how's your day?

awesome sir. will bring mine out soon..too many toys..

Rick, I certainly understand about the fear of honing. I haven't ordered stones, yet, but that day will come! Lol! I will not hone my Friodur or my 15/16 Wostenholm. The rest I will try to hone on my own. I will see when the time comes what I decide to do. Glad your doing well with the kami shavette.

Thanks, Charlie! Yes, all is well. Family is happy and healthy. Work is very stressful right now, but please see the previous sentence in my response...

Ordered 4 more sticks from Connaught about a month ago. You may want to see if they have more, James.

Well, you better make sure the papers are signed first...

We had hail here yesterday as well. Nothing that size, though.

Love those Canadian Rocket/ Crat Jrs as well, Gary. The finish is so nice on them as well that I think you would have to really purposefully neglect them to screw it up.

Quite relaxing Gary, Thanks