After the last two purchases, my straight razor acquisition disorder has faded into the background. It's not that I now have everything that I want. It's because I'm spending my thoughts, time, and energy on a different obsession. (Kind of like structured procrastination: using one character flaw to offset the effects of another.)
Since I watched Joel's video that shows him getting a near-BBS shave in a single pass, I've been focusing on technique. I am nowhere near BBS after a single pass, and I figure that if Joel can do this, and AFDavis can do this, there's no reason I can't learn to do it too.
Instead of seeking more razors, I've been studying shaving videos for nuances of technique, looking at blade angle, skin stretching, and angle of approach. I'm paying close attention to how my razor feels as I shave, so I can spot any areas where I can improve.
Joel and AFDavis both said that sharpness is key (and that makes sense), so I want to get that edge as sharp as it can be -- which means I'm using just one razor most of the time. I've made a few stroke on the pasted paddle strop yesterday and today, not because I thought the blade was dull but to see if it'll get any sharper.
I'm not sure how long it'll take to get the current razor, the black-handle Geneva Cutlery 6/8, fully tuned up. Once it's in top form I have ten or twelve other razors that need the same treatment. Most of them are in good shaving condition, but I want them sharper than just "good shaving condition".
Now about that SRAD... I think it's still sitting there in the background. But I have new razors that I've only shaved with a couple of times. Until I have that circa 1870 wedge, and the Dubl Duck, and the others in in ultra-sharp condition, I don't need to buy more. (Famous last words?)
Since I watched Joel's video that shows him getting a near-BBS shave in a single pass, I've been focusing on technique. I am nowhere near BBS after a single pass, and I figure that if Joel can do this, and AFDavis can do this, there's no reason I can't learn to do it too.
Instead of seeking more razors, I've been studying shaving videos for nuances of technique, looking at blade angle, skin stretching, and angle of approach. I'm paying close attention to how my razor feels as I shave, so I can spot any areas where I can improve.
Joel and AFDavis both said that sharpness is key (and that makes sense), so I want to get that edge as sharp as it can be -- which means I'm using just one razor most of the time. I've made a few stroke on the pasted paddle strop yesterday and today, not because I thought the blade was dull but to see if it'll get any sharper.
I'm not sure how long it'll take to get the current razor, the black-handle Geneva Cutlery 6/8, fully tuned up. Once it's in top form I have ten or twelve other razors that need the same treatment. Most of them are in good shaving condition, but I want them sharper than just "good shaving condition".
Now about that SRAD... I think it's still sitting there in the background. But I have new razors that I've only shaved with a couple of times. Until I have that circa 1870 wedge, and the Dubl Duck, and the others in in ultra-sharp condition, I don't need to buy more. (Famous last words?)
