Thank you. It's a beauty.

I have been known to send CJB to people suffering from the bump on the Feather SS. I am fine with a pink brush as long as I can shave with DX and not a SS Feather.

That is what I thought in the beginning so I delayed my joining of the dark side. Stropping is much easier than it sounds, lay the blade and don't apply pressure, sound familiar.

You have progressed very quickly.

April 9

Since I have no time pressure to today's shave I went big, very big and broke out the Kent BK12. To match this crazy brush I went with a cream that is extremely productive, Castle Forbes. After 4 passes I could have shaved my whole body twice. Since I am not going to Olympics for swimming nor I am going to make the Tour de France I decided to just wash the extra lather down the sink. I also avoided having to hear comments from my smart alec girlfriend about shaving my whole body.

Today's razor was a Dovo Master's on it first shave from being referred on a Zulu Grey. The edge was very smooth and sharp. I have two Dovo razors (the other is a Bismark 2) and both razors take a great edge are easy to maintain and easy to hone.

Irritation A+ Closeness A Smoothness A+ Sharpness A

Thank you. I stand vindicated. I will shave with my pink razor tomorrow, in your honor.

April 9 (Sunday) - treading gingerly back on the Path

Schick Krona / Topaz Platinum ( 1)
Alluminati Envy White brush
Nivea Extra Moisture shave cream
Supply Provision Juniper Post Shave Tonic

Well, after a brief but bloody foray into late-model Gem SE razors, it's back to testing creams using my non-Gillette DE combo of a Schick Krona loaded with an Indian Topaz Platinum blade. The Topaz Platinum is not by any means a fabulous blade but it's okay for a couple decent shaves, especially in the mild Krona.

My face was still sore in spots from its overly close encounter with the Gem MMOC, so it was a careful wash and a gentle lathering followed by a slow and absolutely no pressure shave. The result was a surprisingly close DFS. I skipped the alum rub today and went straight to a pleasant facial balm.

Today's cream was a Nivea variant, the Extra Moist. It supposedly has mineral salts and a vitamin complex in it to help lock in all that skincare goodness. It did lather well and provide good protection to my very touchy face today. It seems a solid performer, especially for a drugstore cream.

I am shortly going to spend the early part of the morning watching CBC's coverage of the memorial ceremonies for the WW1 Battle of Vimy Ridge, which kicked off at dawn 100 years ago today, some of my ancestors being participants. Contemplating it sort of tends to put some of my modern First World issues into perspective...

That is true, I will tell you that. I started on the shavettes more looking for the challenge of it than ever wanting to try straights at all. The problem is that I find it a very satisfying way to shave, and it only took me a couple of months to get sucked into the Dark Side. I could make a case for both kinds of razors, and even starting with either kind depending on the person, but with you, and your already stated goal of wanting to use straights, I would just go for it when ready. Everybody here, Brian and Keith, Adam and Chris were all really helpful to me in getting started, and won't steer you wrong along the way. I know I never got a piece of bad advice.

The best piece of advice I could give is that when you decide to do it, whichever type you decide, you go whole hog. Not "straights on weekends" (at least to begin with), but open blade razors every shave for at least two months or sixty shaves. It seems like it takes thirty to get a most basic level of comfort with the form itself, and for me I needed another twenty to start to feel a little proficient. It will just go much faster for you if immerse yourself into it. You might not need nearly as much time as I did. @Mark j newcomb is progressing much faster than I did. In my defense, I have a beard that requires passes in every direction, nearly everywhere on my face. Obviously I don't know anyone else's beard, but if you are a person that can get by with up and down passes, it may go easier for you. 90% of my issues were with odd angles, the other 5% with being an idiot. You seem like your head is in the right place, good luck.

Along side my newly acquired rotation of straights, and my two shavettes that made the cut and are along for the ride, sit a Supply SE, a Colonial General and a Schick E. My three favorite safety razors, and the only three I still think of as razors I use.

My only regret is not starting sooner . The 30 days will go faster then you think.

It isn't so much the technique as the different strops, before/after shaving, stroping compounds... even the Whipped Dog Poor Man's Strop comes with a leather strop and balsa with compound. Of course I also know I'm over thinking.

You need one basic leather strop and one way to apply a paste or compound. Adam @Drygulch has an excellent setup for $30. (The one I wish I had bought for a starter.) I would PIF you some paste, and you are good to go for weeks if not months. The rest can come over time. One sheet of 1micron lapping film can keep you refreshed for at least a year, and would cost you $2.00.

Just a relative newbie's opinion, but there are a few guys here, (not me) who can steer you right. Sometimes the voices and opinions on threads will drown you out, and you can't think straight. It helped me to find a couple/few guys whose opinion I trusted, pick a plan, and just run with it.

Sunday, April 9, 2017

Shavemac ATG LE Flat Top
MDC Original Le Bol en Bois
The Brass General
Feather Pro
Gold Bond Green Lotion
Chatillon Lux Colbeck
Burberry for Men

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That is one cool looking bowl. I hope you are enjoying the brass General as much as I am.

Thanks amigo! The brass General is the smoothest SE in the den. I'm loving it!

April 9 SOTD:

Stirling Synthetic Brush
Stirling Sandalwood SS
Ever-Ready 1924
Stirling Unscented PSB
Stirling Sandalwood AS

I whole heartedly agree that the journey seems to progress best when you go all in. I started out by deciding not to use a DE to "clean up" or on the first or last pass as some advocate. Making the conscious decision to only use a straight has forced me to either give up shaving or to learn. You learn to ride a horse by getting on a horse, not by driving through fields near horses.

I am not so sure my progress has been that good. I am pleased that I didn't cut myself today. But, I did yesterday and two days before that. This is a very steep hill for me to climb. I earned my private pilot license in 32 days. I am now on day 45 of straights and while it is falling into place, there is a whole lot I don't understand yet.

April 9, 2017
Colonial Razors “The General”
Feather Pro (2)
WDC-8 with Druida Manchurian
Reef Point Dragon’s Blood

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A new week brings in a new lineup. The razor for the week will be Colonial Razors General in brass. The razor uses Artist Club blades so it is wider than the typical razor. The brass version is much heavier at 130 grams than the Aluminum General. The brush for the week is a WDC-8 brass handle made by @Douglas Carey with a Druida Manchurian knot. The knot has a completely different feel than the Doug Korn DK7 with the same knot. The WDC-8 has a finished loft of 26mm x 53mm where the DK7 is 26mm x 50mm. The extra 3mm in loft allows the knot to open up more giving a bigger face feel while the thicker manchurian hair maintains good backbone. The Reef Point Dragon's Blood soap is very easy to lather and is exceptionally slick. The scent is an intense mix of vanilla, patchouli and amber. It took me awhile to appreciate the scent and enjoy the soap. Having said that it is a scent I will likely not buy again as I prefer other Reef Point scents.

The WDC-8 whipped up a mountain of rich slick lather. Since my first use of the General was during the week with limited time, I decided to slow down and enjoy the experience today. All three passes were exceptionally smooth leaving me very close to a perfect BBS. I decided to chase the baby. A few touch ups and buffing on my neck allowed me to catch the little guy. This is by far the smoothest AC razor I have used while remaining very efficient. Overall an A+ shave with no nicks, weepers or irritation. I finished off with a splash of Fine Platinum. I hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Beautiful photo Jim. Where does the ER 1924 rate in aggressiveness compared to other Gem style razors?