I did it!
It took me 2 hrs, and the alum block stung like the dickens! But no bleeding and no missing fingers
Am I supposed to start one of those journal things?
Well, I guess I might as well try this journal thing. It will help me keep track of my progress, it feels a bit public besides who else am I going to tell other than you guys
So I had my first shave. It was slow going but it was very enjoyable.
I assembled all the necessary components: Good music, good lather (P.160), pre-shave oil (my own mix), alum block, new Castor French point razor and hairy legs. This may be more relevent later if I have another straight to compare edges with but, my straight was honed or polished (see I have so much to learn) on a Water of Ayr stone which I am told is smooth more than sharp, which I think is to my benefit.
I went with an ATG pass starting from the ankle. Didn't expect all the hair chopping noise but it was kinda kool. After one calf was done I did it again, it wasn't very close, still too much stubble. Ended up doing two ATG passes on my calves and just one pass on thighs. And alot of fiddleing with little tiny strokes on my knees. It seems that my knee hair grows in alot of different directions, never really thought about that before.
By the second leg I realized that bending my knee made it easier to shave with the straight (this is opposite of what I do with DE) so there was alot less blade skidding / jumping going on. And since I have never really seen anyone doing their entire leg with a straight razor I had many things to figure out in terms of holding, pressing and pulling to get things tight on the thigh part, my calves were easier since much of it can be done with just flexing and pointing my feet.
In the end not the closest shave but still very nice, no nicks and no post shave issues.
I used my bench strop I made afterwards and stroped 20-30 times on the canvas side and 100+ times on the magic towel side. I am bad at keeping count. I just want to do it until my arm gets tired. Darn OCD.
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