So I’ve clocked 3 months now and thought I’d share how it’s going. I started out a bit shaky and definitely favouring my right hand to do 3/4 of my beard area. I noticed now as muscle memory has kicked in, that my left hand may actually be shaving better than my right hand! I like the way the blade can be precisely controlled around the jaw, under the nose, and next to the nose (which was never as easy with a safety razor).

The 14 mins includes heating the water, stropping the razor, and finishing up. Yes it’s longer than a safety razor shave, but it’s closer and more controlled, better for the environment, and more satisfying. All I’m replacing now is shaving soap every 4 to 6 months or so, and pre-shaving oil which lasts a good year.

Where I save some time is whilst the kettle is heating the water to 90 degrees Celsius, I’m busy stropping the razor. I’ve certainly noticed doing the stropping well (and using a little chrome oxide compound every week or so on the canvas side of the strop) makes for a much sharper cleaner shave. All I probably still need a very fine honing stone. Muscle memory also helps to make the stropping an easy background task.

#traditionalshaving #straightrazor #environment #shaving