Thank you, Joe!

Super shave, Jim! I like that brush. It must have some backbone to make splaying quite difficult.

Wonderful Fat Friday shave, Jeff. That LaResche sounds like an amazing shaver! Glad to hear that the PAA Cube is not just a placebo--I'm probably less than a month away from bottoming out on my Noxzema knock-off that I've been using to clean my face before I shave, so I foresee a Cube somewhere in my future (mentholated, of course ).

Enjoy the rest of your Friday!

Thank you, Joe!

Thanks Jim! Staying hunkered in for the night and off the roads !

Excellent Fat Friday shave, Jeff!

I couldn't agree more. When I let it happen--anything--it's always better than when I push myself or over-analyze things. My own worst enemy, I let myself get into my head today--it's embarrassing how often that happens

Tim, glad that the shave went well! I think it is great that everyone wants to get fantastic shaves by improving their techniques. However, I think we tend to overthink our shaves.
When I started straight shaving in Oct 2018, I decided to relax and enjoy the shaves regardless of my results. I believe adopting this mindset helped me achieve very good shaves at the beginning of my straight shaves. So, my advice to you is to relax your arm, wrist and fingers, but stay focused. Smooth movements will produce smooth results.

I will say that is a Yabba Dabba Doo shave, Jeff!

Jeff's descriptions are a dangerous form of enabling.

Dont feel bad Tim. I've done it myself many times and I'm sure I don't just speak for myself. Sometimes we just push ourselves too much trying to real the pinnacle . When I do get BBS shaves , 2 hours later I am all scratchy feeling againand realized it wasn't worth the stress.

Great suggestions, Joe. I'm usually all about the zen of shaving, but got really wrapped up in my focus this week. That's why I've moved to a focus on soul-shaving next week--it's time to relax

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SOTD 02/07/20

One of the problems with having too many safety razors is that we forget certain things about our favorites. The LaResche 51 has a well deserved reputation. It is simply a magnificent shaving tool. The LaResche family were originally Swiss, and apparently spent four decades on incremental improvements to the Model 51. It is both smooth and incredibly efficient. I would hazard to say that this NOS example represents the endpoint of their razor business and is every bit as good as any of the modern artisan razors I've shaved with.

Today’s shave again featured MWF, the best shaving soap on the planet for those without lanolin allergies. I love the stuff! I have been using it every day since February 1st, and must say that my dome and face feel very hydrated. So much so, that I decided to forgo the PAA Cube Preshave Soap today. I just lathered up with my Jayaruh Custom Silvertip Badger and had at it. My first WTG pass seemed pretty close to yesterday’s perfect shave, but but did leave some tangible rough spots in my usual places on my face, whereas yesterday’s first pass left me pretty much at the BBS level on my face. The same was true for the dome as well. This shave, not so much! I guess there is something to be said for the efficacy of PAA Cube Preshave Soap. In any case, after relathering, the ATG second pass cleared every thing up! If the goal is to achieve a full bloodless BBS on a regular basis this razor joins a select club for me. The club members are: Colonial Silversmith, Blackland Vector, Seki AS-D2, RR SS Lupo, and GE Jones Shake Sharp. Ikm now on my second two pass, bloodless BBS. I’ll keep shaving with this razor until blood appears. I've never had more than three in a row. I still don’t understand how this razor can be so smooth and at the same time so efficient. There was no heat from the alum block for the second day in a row. I’m really liking this razor! I feel clean smooth and refreshed!

RAZOR: LaResche 51 Luxe
BLADE:

Dickensons is good stuff. I buy Thayers because I like the slight lavender scent. I buy it in bulk on Amazon. I also like Humphrey’s Lavender WH, but only buy it when I can get a deal. I honestly don’t think there’s much difference.

Excellent post, Jeff!

Thank you, Tim!
I started off with a preference for heavy razors without ever using a lightweight razor. A bias formed from internet reading and no personal experience. So glad I won a Star Bakelite in a TSD auction. Expanded my horizons.

Thanks, Patrick. I totally agree

Why, Jim, pray tell??

Thanks, Clint!

Thanks, Tim! It’s made a difference in my shaves.

Thanks, Perry, every day of February is a MWF day for me. It’s my focus this month.