Great pic and post. How do you find the beard oil I've been considering some for a while now.

Shave eleven of my january focus. I got ten comfortable shaves from an Astra SP blade -- it used to be four. Along with getting a better idea of my shaving angle, I'm also discovering some new ideas with regard to my beard's trouble spots -- the corners of my mouth, and my upper lip are both much easier to shave well, without nicks or irritation thanks to the focus. I have to admit that I could tell from the feel, that I had a brand new blade for today's shave -- it felt good.

Bama san -- you are a true guru.

I'll try to keep Ivan at bay for you. Rimei was a decent blade. Vincent the same, just not very durable. Baili......run screaming as fast as you can!!!

Yes, we've had our eye on you from the beginning.

January 27

Thanks! My buddy turned me on to beard oil and balm. I only have the honeysuckle, it smells fantastic! He has gunbarrel too, which I personally didn't care for, but he likes it. The oil just conditions, the balm has a little hold too. It's a place local to us, http://themodcabin.com/

Mine,too. I'm always amazed what I can learn on a shaving forum.

Jan 27 Focus Shave 20

Today's razor is Jerry Stark refreshed on a J Nat then Dovo red/black paste then 200,000 grit diamond past. This is the second shave since the refresh.

I looked the edge in my loupe and there are allot scratches on the edge so I was little nervous about using it. It was popping hair like crazy so I went ahead and shaved with it. The edge felt very smooth and kind but no sharp. I thought I would get a irritation free shave and I did. To my surprise it was also BBS.

Irritation A Closeness A Smoothness A Keenness B+

QCS Vetiver
Gem Star Customs Elk Antler silver tip
Woodhead scuttle
Jerry Stark 5/8 round tip
PRC strop
Speick AS
L'Occitane ASB
Le Labo Santal 33

That is not a real Fifty Fathoms but a modified Seiko Homage

Yes it takes extra time but it is worth it for skin care and satisfaction of mastering an age old skills....
.... whom am kidding? I like straights for the 'COOL' aspect of it and the look of shock on peoples face when I tell them how I shave. There is a saying in Korean that rough translates to 'One must suffer for fashion.'

I hope you catch up with plumber. I wish you speedy recovery.

Nooooooooooooooooooo!

Thanks for your kind words! When the feel of a new blade is readily apparent, you are well on the way to shaving nirvana.

I love those big Seiko Automatics! Great watches.

Never sharpened a chisel but I am sure a razor can be honed on a power bench grinder but...... it will likely results in some cool scars and chicks dig scars.

I think this one falls under, 'Hey y'all watch this!'

Welcome back Neal!

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Pre: Hot Shower, Sterling Pre-Shave Soap, Chatillon Lux Pre-Shave Butter
Soap: Strop Shoppe Baker Street
Brush: Thater 4125 3 Band
Razor: The One Blade
Blade: GEM Super Stainless #3
Post: Alum, Witch Hazel +Menthol, Whipped Shea Butter, Fine Platinum

Another great shave with The One Blade. It's so easy it's habit forming. Near BBS on 2 passes plus clean up today. This the third shave with a GEM SS was smooth and efficient, no nicks, no cuts, and no weepers. The Thater 3 Band bulb is very soft, has medium backbone, with a luxurious full face feel. Finished with a nice splash of Fine Platinum. Have a Wicked Wednesday everyone.

Welcome back, again. I was wondering if things had gotten rough again.

Glad I could provide something helpful to someone in the world of straights! I know exactly what you mean by fairly easy to learn but difficult to master. I found a couple of small cuts in my mustache area as the day went on. Nothing too bad, but enough to remind me that I still have to focus and pay attention.

I was enamored with the idea of straights quickly after making the switch from carts. The extra work and lack of results when I did my first few shaves made me rethink and kept me from working at them more. I spent the better part of the year working on technique through these threads, which really prepared me more for the Pain Stick and straight.

Now, I look forward to some of the maintenance like stropping. It really isn't more work, just a bit more time.

I like the scales on your razor.

What do you use the Dovo paste on?