Thank you, Bruce! Glad to see you back!

Thank you for sharing, Charlie! Awesome story! What a brave kid, who was dealt a tough hand. I wish him all the best, and a lifetime of good health!

Excellent post, photograph, and line up Joseph.

Beautiful picture, Brian! I'm looking forward to seeing all the goodies you use this month!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Hey guys. Sorry to have gone quiet thru the last month. Combination of factors really. One of which was.... I felt it would be helpful at this point of my SR learning curve to simple go off, put what I'd learned to use, and make adjustments based on feel and instinct on my own... without what has generally been very helpful advice from others. Sometimes you've just got to learn a few things on your own.

It's worked. It's been weeks since I've needed to deal with razor burn, I'm beginning to deal naturally with my problem areas (behind and under ears, just under the nostrils) muscle memory has set in and it's been several weeks since I've had a nick to speak of (although that was a pretty nasty one, learned my lesson).

What's worked for me:

- main razor Fatboy set at 7. I do not use it on my lower throat area.
- I keep a Black Beauty dialed in at 3 and use it for my full throat area just under adams apple.
- I only go with the grain under my adams apple.
- rest of my face gets a pass with the grain, then a pass side of the grain, then touch up and occasionally against the grain where my mutton chops would be if I had them.
- at the moment I'm only using Astra blades. Main razor gets 4 shaves. Black Beauty I've been going 8 [remember it's only shaving a small area] but I might need to reduce it to 6.

This has been a whole lot of fun and I've certainly learned a few things. My skin has never looked better.

This month I'm going to be changing things up a little bit. I have an EJ open comb slant I'd like to try plus a whole ton of blades I should open up.

Shave reports to follow plus I'll also follow thru on my promise to post up some more pictures of my knives and stones (Drygulch if you're out there Ididn't forget. I picked up some really nice custom stuff last month too!)

Awesome report and photo, Joseph!

Lovely warm photo, Jason. Looks like we're going to see a lot of gear this month.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Thank you, Bruce! Good to see you posting.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Great photo, Brian! And, congrats on finishing a soap!

Thanks, Jim!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Excellent photo and report, Jason! The Supply is one of the top razors in my stash. Quite efficient, once you get the angle down.

Stirling pre-shave soap is the only pre-shave item I ever use. I typically go to it when trying a new razor or blade that has a reputation for being harsh. It's a great product.

Children's hospitals are amazing places. Miracle workers there. I could never do their job. My youngest daughter was in NBICU for 9 days and just watching those nurses and doctors work humbled me. Nope, this cranky on the outside tough guy would break down into a puddle if I had to deal with the heartbreak they do. But when they get the chance to do it right....like the doctors in your article? Super heroes. Every one.

It's not a problem. It's an opportunity. And I'm sure the brushes will catch up. I know mine are trying.

It’s the way my dad taught me to shave.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome back! Nice to hear of your progress. Quiet or loud, practice drives technique into line and that creates quality shaves!

That's a cool memory, Clint. Nice you're carrying on the tradition.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Gentlemen, thanks for the kind words. I have the opportunity to know quite a few super-heroes at the children's hospital - the kids and their families, the staff, and my fellow volunteers. Volunteering there has been a lifeline for me in retirement.

It appears that the old Czar has a kinder, gentler side. The joys where my Bride and I volunteer outweigh the sorrows by 1000 fold, Neal. I pray that your daughter has grown into a strong young woman that gives you a hard time every chance she gets.

Thanks fellas! I'm not sure how "back" I am, as my bathroom project is still in full swing, and will be for awhile I'm afraid.

Well, do stop by and say hi from time to time!