I think my blade angle was too high around the chin. I feel a little scraped up.

Pain is a powerful teacher.

Hey everyone! New to this thread but not entirely new to the forum. I've been posting every day since Dec. 1st. I mostly post in the SOTD category but think this is an awesome opportunity to get used to some new gear. I'll start by saying my regular hardware setup which is a Muhle R89 head on a Maggard MR5 handle with a Personna Lab Blue blade. It works great for me and is mild, but still effective. I did get some new gear over the holidays and really want to get to know it well so here is my focus for January: use my Merkur 1906 closed comb razor, explore Voskhod blades more (have a 100 pack but want to test them), and focus on using two brushes (Finest Badger and Semogue OC Boar). The badger is a 28mm from Manhandled Wood shop and is great, but I usually prefer boars. The Semogue OC boar is new and I want to break it in this month. Not sure if I'm understanding the concept of this thread or completely missing it, but those are the items I will be focusing on in January!

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Sounds like you've got the idea! Welcome aboard and enjoy those Voskhods!!

Michael, Welcome to the 30 Day crew! Seth warned us about you...kidding. Seth is a fave of ours and we are glad you've joined in. I think you'll have a blast and master the new gear all by the end in the month! And any man bearing one hundred Voskhod blades is bound to fit in on this thread, automatically.

I giggle every time I see the phrase "popular wisdom", because of Rapira, Soviet Straight, Ivan, Igor, et al.

Yes. The point if the thread is to focus on whatever area needs work. My perception is that you are newer, but capable with a razor. I interpret your focus as "Holiday Gear Exploration". We are all our own gurus here. Except for me, @wristwatchb picks out my foci in the spring. That's how I end up doing things like using Williams Mug and Derby for a month in an aggressive razor. He says it builds character. Or technique. Or scar tissue. Or something. But anyway, good luck with the new gear, I hope you push it to its potential.

Killer photo! On a phone camera?

That's hosted here on TSD also. It's on his profile. I claim him as the true inspiration of this thread. The amount of hours in research and trial, and the knowledge attained by GDC is amazing. I promise he's forgotten more about blades and razors than I will ever hope to know.

Well just Igor and Ivan have enough wisdom for........ok scratch that.

Ivan and Igor seek not the perfection of purity, but rather, the purity of perfection.

I only have 20 of those blades and don't even like them that much. Can I stay anyways?

Ivan and Igor seek vodka, and the occasional companionship found in a visit to Havana.

Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

That depends, how do you feel about Ladas, and Sputniks?

We should probably knock off the fight song at some point though. I don't know the process for getting off of a watchlist.

Seriously? You're our official man on the scene in Germany. You're essential personnel.

GSB and Sputnik are 2 of my top 3 blades. Does that make up for anything or do you have to call the boys on me? (Still not sure about Ladas, have used them only once - but don't tell anyone)

Good enough for me. Neal, cancel that flight from Moscow to Berlin.