Here's my update @cmorris357

SOTD

PRESHAVE: Warm rag, Warm rag, face lotion, warm rag.
RAZOR: Gillette SS BT
BLADE: Derby
SOAP: Proraso Red
BRUSH: Classic Brand Best Badger
AS: WH & Dove balm

Focused a ton on blade angle, and this is the smoothest, cleanest shave I've had. The blade angle on this Gillette is much shallower than I thought. The derby blade started tugging on the 2nd pass, so these may be a 2 and out for me. The soap lathered fantastically offering great protection, I needed to use more water than I have been. I went WTG/XTG/ATG then I final touch up here and there. My chin could be smoother but I wanted a comfortable shave tonight with a huge ruck march in the morning. Irritation A-.

For some reason the Dove aftershave balm burns my skin. I think I need a new balm, just don't have the money until next pay period. All in all, good shave, but more than ready for the next blade. It may be great in an aggressive razor, but this SS seems to be too mild for a derby. It will be Crystal, Personna Blue, or Shark super chrome next. This may be my last shave until Monday or so, I want to skip tomorrow, and try a straight razor Saturday.
Just because I'm not shaving doesn't mean I won't spend every free second I have here at the Den though!

Pheww...the things a guy has to go through to stay on Ivan's good side!

Incredible story! I hope I can be as fond with my SS.

Nice work! You could place a wet towel in the freezer while you shave... Very soothing, and free!

You are correct in assuming the Derby would be better in an aggressive razor. Well done grasshopper. Love the progress you're making. Try the Crystal or Personna next...I assume the Crystal will be sharper than the Derby since it's from the same place as the Israeli Red Personnas, which is basically the same as the Blue on the American side. Good luck with the march in the morning!

Thanks! I feel like I'm catching on a lot quicker than I thought! I may try the crystal since I've already tried a personna. And also on the tryablade, I couldn't decide so I will wait until next pay period and probably just get the 32$ deal where you get one of each, or just get the massive Gillette pack.

So now you're trying to corner the market?!!

I'm very intrigued. I have one spot that has stayed irritated and today before applying balm, I kept wetting a face towel and applying it to the irritated spot and it did wonders! Definitely will try the freezer method.

I got the massive tryablade sampler. it shoulld take me a year or 3 to try them all.

I like where you're head's at. LOL You sound far too much like me.

He's getting in at the @Darkbulb level. Keep an eye on this one.

Life's short, why not enjoy all you can? Including over 100 different types of blades. i mean, that's all there is too life right? Wet shaving?

When I got it there were only 96 different blades. I feel left out now.

OMG, isn't one @NCoxSTL enough?

110 of those bad boys now

I might have to take inventory and order the ones I'm missing.

I think we need 3 or 4.

One is never enough. Although I will have to have an "original" stamp on me somewhere.

I'm thinking after my no disposable Nov (straight razor and rolls) I'm going to run thru my blade sampler for 2 months. blades that have positive reviews in Dec and Blades with negitive reviews in Jan.

Starting 2016, dangerously. I like it.