Thanks for the heads up.

Agreed! I gave a detailed rubric explaining how I score my shaves. I do not mind constructive criticism, but to knock someone's scoring method is over the line. As you stated, it is a personal thing such that no one should say boo about it.

Thanks, Gary.

Paradigm shift?
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"That's an acceptable shave, now how can it be better?"

versus
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"This could have been a perfect shave except for..."
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Either style strives for improvement.
​

Baseline acceptable with improvements
doesn't have a limiting factor for perfect.
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Marks off for less than perfect assumes the highest
attainable goal & deducts for anything less.
​

I get the idea either way. Guess I lean to the Left Style - I strive for improved results & I'd like to not cut my face. I'll settle for less than BBS if it means less irritation. My baseline is acceptable but hoping for improvement rather than I know what perfect is & here's why I missed it.

When I started my goal was how to get a less irritating shave and get rid of the ingrown hairs.

Then once I conquered the ingrown hairs and irritation it became how close a shave can I get without irritation and ingrown hairs.

Now I am looking for both perfection in the shave and enjoyment in the act.

So I did have a paradigm shift

The quality of my shave is about the same whether I use a DE or SE or SR. I get the most enjoyment when I have the right lather, a straight razor that has the handling characteristics I like and it has a great edge. Part of the enjoyment is the aesthetics of the shave, the feeling of the brush, the scent of the lather and how cool the brush and straight razor look.

Cigar on the beach..... awesome!

After catching up 10 pages (!).....a short conversation via PM, and some web searching.....I'll expand with more information.

Looks like, as with most anything, there are many ways to get a job done. CrOx (or your favorite compound) can be applied rough side of a leather strop as well, and then of course, linen strops, and more. I'm no professional hone/strop master by any means....I consider muhself good with search engines and reading though, and then use what makes sense to me and follow through with my own trial and error.

Here's a post by the owner of Wet Shaving Products, who also runs a sister web site for professionally honing straight razors. It was among my DDG search hits on how to use CrOx, a strop, and a straight razor. Don't remember my exact search terms (and going through my browser history is too OCD for me), but if you read, you'll see his ideas of the choices along with comments.

http://www.asharperrazor.com/ideal-strop-mediums-for-pastes-and-sprays

In my straight razor edge maintenance endeavors, I usually go searching through videos from gssixgun, Lynn Abrams, or Lee (the owner of WSP). Of course there's the information offered via my friends here as well. There are many others more competent than I. In the end, everything is considered, then I put together my plan of action. Fact of the matter is my Henkels straight is with gssixgun at the moment. He is currently working through replacing the original badly warped scales (a project out of my league), and of course I'm letting him work his magic with honing it.

Hope this helps!

July 2 SOTD:

Razor: Razorock Mamba
Blade: Rapira PL
Brush: Ever-Ready 150
Lather: PAA Future Fiction
Aftershave: PAA Future Fiction

I got busy yesterday and never got to post. It looks some great shaves were had, though. This morning, I used the PAA Future Fiction shave stick for the first time, which is a cured version of the CK6 formula. The performance is as expected as is the scent. I wouldn't mind having a few of these options in shave sticks. Two passes and a DFS. Definitely a great start to my day. I hope everyone has a great day!

July 2nd
Razor: Blackland Sabre L2
Blade: Gem PTFE (5)
Brush: PAA Green Ray
Pre-shave: Stirling Mentholated
Soap: Stirling Haverford
Stirling witch hazel
PAA unscented Star Jelly
AS: Stirling Haverford

Tobacco Tuesday

Good morning!

Great shave to start the day! Three passes for near BBS. Yesterday I was thinking the blade was just about done and I would push it for one more shave before the Wildcard Wednesday razor swap. I was wrong, the GEM felt exceptionally smooth and sharp this morning. One of my best shaves with the Sabre.

Stirling Haverford soap and aftershave generously gifted by Andrew @Linuxguile. Wonderful scent! My nose picks up vanilla up front with tobacco in the background. This soap is dark brown, that's why I chose to use a brown bristled synthetic brush. I don't know if it would stain a natural haired brush but I didn't take any chances. The usual Stirling performance. The aftershave has a spray top. Never used an aftershave with a sprayer. Do I spray in my hand and apply or directly to my face? I know, both! Feeling good and smelling good!

Have a great day!

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Nice, Jim!

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Terrific picture, Jim!

Thank you, my friend!

Very nice Patrick. Glad you enjoyed Canada Day.


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Thanks, Jim!

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Wow. The shave cabinet looks great Neal.


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Great looking shave and photo Jim. I hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.


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Beautiful photo and shave Jim.


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Thank you, Clint!

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July 2, 2019
Occam Nano 2 dot plate
Feather Pro
CH-2 Synthetic
Cold River Schapenmelk
Fine Italian Citrus

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I am moving a little slow this morning. I guess I am just getting a little lazy. The Cold River Schapenmelk soap is easy to lather and very slick. I also like the light to medium cologne type scent. As expected, the Soap Destroyer whipped up a mountain of rich slick lather. Three passes and touch ups followed by buffing my neck caught the baby with ease. What the OREN lacks in looks, it more than makes up for in performance. A splash of Fine Italian Citrus and I am ready for the day. I hope everyone has a great Tuesday.