SMF

Stropping -- Under 2min.. Something to do while waiting for the lather to do its magic. Shaving -- Comparable to DE Cleanup -- Under a minute (a quick wipedown with alcohol and with a dry kleenex) Touchups -- Every 5-10 shaves, 5 strokes on your pasted paddle or finishing hone should keep it going f...

I'll second the suggestion to go to Tony Miller. He has the best deals to get you started and his strops are ultra-cheap considering the size and manufacturing quality.

I didn't get good results from barber hones (even though some people did), but as long as the Norton is lapped flat and you do a proper x-pattern stroke, you'll eventually get it there. As for finishing/touching up, 5 strokes on the chromium oxide every 5-10 shaves is all it takes. To me that's much...

I don't think a fraction of a second will make a difference, I still prefer the feel of a straight shave. That's probably a function of final finish on the blade as opposed to lather-pushing.

That forum is run by Robert Williams, a highly reputable knife/razor maker. A while ago he told me that he gets the best edges when he finishes the blade with the UF.

I'll second the suggestion to use the Norton 4k/8k to get the blade shave-ready. Chances are it'll even be finer than the barber hone. Once you get it there and want to put some extra polish on the edge to make it smoother and gentler on the skin with the same level of performance, either get a real...

That'll make the guide truly Canadian

Filly 12 is one of the top performers in my greatly reduced rotation.

You got a great soap for starters.. It's my favourite scent from her lineup (and I have 4 of them in my rotation with a few spare cakes). Even though Colleen's soaps don't lather like some other high-end ones that I've come across, I concur with the observation that it stays moist throughout the pas...

Once you get the hang of stropping, it'll take you under 2min for 30 strokes... As I mentioned in some other threads, the minimum amount of time for the lather to do its work.

Life ain't interesting without complications... Once you set up your regular rotation of razors and gear, it'll become easy and hassle free. Touching up my blades takes less time than replacing a dull DE blade. Stropping gives me something to do while waiting for the lather to do its work. There's o...

I wouldn't know.. I ride a Yamaha

I was doing some shopping in downtown Toronto and came across this piece by Van Der Hagen Enterprises (Liberty Hill, TX)... -It came in a green and white cardboard box on the outside and on the inside, it had a thin transparent plastic case that can be used as a travelling shaving bowl. A nice touch...

Thank you gentlemen. I already have the Proraso pre/after shave cream. Where can I get my hands on the KMF stuff? Aveeno is probably easy to get @ WM.

I've heard good things about Indian+legitimately-made blades. Their steel industry was built by the Russians. I'm still waiting for the Derby to let up (which is hard as I only use a DE once in a blue moon). As for this black market crap... It's not worth the rupees it's melted out of.

I will be going out to the boonies for a couple of weeks and will be bringing minimum gear. I'll be eaten by black flies if I use a scented soap, so I was wondering if you guys know of any good brushless creams that would be available in Canada... Does Lush have an unscented version of Ambrosia (ass...

I bought a pack at the local dollar store for $1. I'll have to test them but there's still some life left in the Derby that's residing in the Tech. I almost never shave with a DE. Maybe I should go for another DE shave tonight. If it starts pulling, I'll try the SuperMax next.

You may want to check out www.thewellshavedgentleman.com. Tony Miller sells great starter kits and is one of the most helpful vendors out there.

Using a straight is a completely different ritual. It gives you two doses of satisfaction....
1) For your shaving technique
2) For how you maintain your blade
It's more challenging, but more than worth the effort.

I have one of those, waiting to be scaled and sent to my stepbro for honing practice. Yours is in pristine condition. Mine doesn't have model markings and it's stiffer than your typical Solingen biconcaves even though it is a biconcave grind. 6/8 round point with 3-pin scales. I also have a small 4/...