Oh it was a fantastic price but I am just about overloaded with brushes.

I know that feeling!

I buckled.

Congrats I had a feeling you would but I was betting you would go for the Kamisori.

Looks really sweet!

Thanks Clint. I still might get a kamisori at some point. I do like it, but I don't care for the wrapped handle. Hunter at PRC offered to remove the wrap and do some custom handle work to give it more grip. After looking at all their razors, I actually thought the Hydra would be a better starter razor for me. It is a 6/8, compared to the 7/8 blade on the kamisori. I figured the Hydra would be a little easier to maneuver. And when all was said and done, the Hydra was about half the cost.

Charlie, I agree. The Hydra looks fantastic. Which set of scales did you select?

Thank you, Clint. I opted for the black acrylic scales and the ivory acrylic spacer, mainly for the water resistance. I like that color combination, and I thought they would be easier to maintain than wooden scales. However, the walnut scales are probably my favorite of those that are offered.

PRC will install custom scales if you have something in mind. You can even get "Go Dawgs" engraved on the blade.

I've enjoyed following your progress this month! How do you like using the Muhle R89? It was my first DE razor, and I enjoy using mine. I'm considering it for my December focus.

Just for fun, you might consider trying an R41 head on the R89 handle at some point.

Mark, I've been on the fence about a Simpson's Chubby 2 in Best. How does their Synthetic offering compare to a Best?

Charlie, their Chubby 2 Handle is awesome. The Simpson prices really do reflect the difference between the two. Their Synthetics are very nice but...Simpson's Best is better, and their Super is way better. If you can afford it, get the badger.

Thank you, Mark. I appreciate the feedback! A Simpson badger is on my list at some point. I'll think about a Super instead of a Best.

Anybody who will willingly pick up a Soviet razor and try to make a shave out of it deserves a membership. While they aren't as potentially deadly as pain sticks and such they have their own unique dangers and twists. I keep looking at a couple of mine thinking I need to give them another try but so far sanity has prevailed and Ivan has been quiet.

Have you tried the Super Pro yet?

I'll have it posted in a few minutes.

You're still coherent. That's a good sign.

NOVember - NO Variation

November 28

Razor - Feather SS AC Pain Stick
Blade - (1)
Brush -BoS Omega 10066
Soap - Mitchell's Wool Fat
Post - Cold Water, Alum, Nivea

Well boys and girls this is it. The final NOVember shave. I won't start my December plans until Tuesday but I am going to use a different setup for Sunday and Monday. Since @wristwatchb was going to the Super Pro blade today I joined in to keep the BOPS solid as a rock. After a month of some really nice shaves with the Feather SS and Feather Pro blade I was curious to see the difference in the Super Pro. I've seen varied reviews. Some say it's an uncontrollable beast, some say it's just a more efficient version of the Pro, and some say it's just harsher. Most users of the Artist Club series razors, I've noticed, seem to prefer the Pro. More than the Super anyway. One other point of order, while I have really enjoyed this month I still think a Kai blade is a bit more to my taste. I need to spend a few shaves with the Kai Captain Original to see how it compares to the Feather Pro, but in the milder versions of the blades the Kai has always been a bit smoother than the Feather. Same for me with DE blades as well. Kai fits me better than the Feather.

Well, on to the shave. Another great lather from BoSFat. I have really been able to zone in on the optimum lather this month with just this brush and soap. I find myself spending less time loading and getting more lather out of it. Once you get the water and MWF right it's absolutely a magnificent soap. I'm not sure I would ever find one I like better. Not that I won't try some to find out, I'm sure. Those AD's kick in you know. The Super blade looks just a bit different in the handle. Definitely a bit more exposure and just looks more like a ground edge instead of a machined one. So, without further ado, let's try to cut something. Hopefully just my beard.

I set down flat against my face on the right cheek by the ear and took a stroke down as I adjusted angle. As soon as I felt it start cutting I held that angle. Definitely a bit shallower than my angle with the Pro. I probably use an angle between 15 and 20 degrees with the Pro but I held it much closer to 15 today. Got a really nice first pass on the right cheek and down the neck. I will say, though, the feel is enough different to make you hold your breath a bit. It's almost as if you add just a minute amount of angle you'll be in trouble. Very fine line to hold, or so it seems. Went to the left hand for the left side and again set down flat, rotated into the angle as I took a stroke and that side went equally well. And equally on that fine edge. Rinsed and lathered and went XTG. Working around and against the edge of the goatee was rather interesting. Again, it's just that feeling that any error will be too much of one.

Finished the second pass with a near BBS. I will say this, hold the angle right and pay attention and this blade definitely delivers a close shave. Scary close, as some have put it. Some touch ups and I would have BBS but I decided near was good enough. Bloodless and really a nice shave to end the month on the pain stick.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Thank you, Charlie - and I loved reading the daily episodes of "Pain Stick and me - the story of an unusual friendship"

The R89 was my first DE razor as well, and I kind of rediscovered its qualities over the course of the last few weeks. Great Razor for sure. I thought about getting a R41 head, but that will have to wait until next year ... I still have quite a few Razors in my den that I haven't used yet. And I'm a little bit afraid of that OC beast On the other hand: What's the worst that could happen?

Great job, Neal, and a wonderful description of shaving with the Super Pro! You're a Feather man at heart.

Congrats on all the fine progress you've made with the Pain Stick this month! It's been fun learning right along with you. We're birds of a Feather, no doubt about it.

It has been a fun month. Given the early days I wasn't sure it would turn out this well but I can honestly say the Artist Club razors definitely have a place and are very functional and effective razors. For those who don't want tot invest in strops, honing needs etc. they are definitely a way to experience straight razor shaving. I'm even considering buying one of the folding SS's or a Kai perhaps. I could see myself with a small collection of different AC's. Yeah, just what I needed. Another budding AD. Let's see....there's SAD, RAD, BAD, RBAD, now ACAD. When will the madness end!?!?!?!?!