Proraso and Cella are still magnificent.

I learned that blooming is overrated IMHO. I used my DR HARRIS soap without preparing the puck and got less soap suds and more soap on my brush.

I also found out that DR Harris is better than I remember it being.

that Soap Commander is truly a great product. all doubt is gone. I also learned that my 1953 Gillette Tech is still a great razor even after all that time

Had a problem this morning with my MWF not being slick enough for me this morning. I added a little more water to the bowl after the first pass and it was a little better. Not sure what happened. Guess I was holding my mouth wrong when I was building the lather in the bowl.
Anyone else experience this?

I learned that MWF is a pain to get a consistent lather with.

Yes, it certainly can be stubborn at times!

I learned again that a straight razor may 'feel' shave-ready to the touch (thumb pad test), but the true test is when the rubber hits the road—i.e. taking the razor to the whiskers!—which is the probably the only REAL proof of shave-readiness!

You right!

Yup.
And with so many other soaps out there that are easy to lather AND provide a consistent lather, I choose not to fight with MWF.

But that's me.

I discovered Gillette 7 O'clock SharpEdge blades are the blades for that razor BUT the process of finding out caused neck irritation. I'm having to take break to let my neck chill out. This SS may just be the go to razor from now on.

I am aging like a fine wine.

Sputnik's are not for me. I have tried them with several different razors but today I even tried them in the mildest razor I have and still got neck irritation.

I learned that sideburns and straight razor shaving may not be compatible for me.

I always catch some of my existing facial hair when using a straight. I wonder if it will stop or I'll just eventually be clean shaven.

It's taken me almost three years but I've learned a 3pass shave is plenty good. No more 4-5pass shaves! I've solved that problem by shaving my head now.

The the ES Krona shaves differently than the Schick. It is heavier but seems milder.

You can get a great shave with an SE razor. Also that the slicker the lather the better.

Right on! I don't mess around with soaps that aren't slick, that is IMO one of most important part of a soaps characteristic.

It grows back

Yep. Just learning the SE thing. And with a DE I just got through the motions and sometimes don't take in consideration water and all. I just make a lather and if it's a little dry or too wet , I just shave with it.
Today made my Cella a little dry and I could really tell while using an SE.

water is good; it's called wetshaving for a reason!

a couple of days ago, i was in a rush. after building lather in the bowl, i missed the rinse step and went right to my face with the brush. after a few swirls, i realized the missed step but decided to keep going. ooops ... oh, the humanity ... the tugging and pulling and even some low grade pain. i was lucky there were no cuts or nicks, but that's a lesson that will stick with me for a long, long time.