What Straight Razor did you use today?

Wade & Butcher Golden Concave 5/8 near wedge

That's good! And it supports my theory that the technique you acquire by mastering traditional-straight shaving is readily transferable to shavettes, and vice versa. I don't see the vast difference that some people talk about.

I don't know if it is a difference in technique, but I found a an adjustment in focus necessary. Shavettes are much less forgiving of even minor errors in angle and pressure. They are always on the verge of nicking you, as a beginner, where a traditional straight is very forgiving of these errors. That forgiving nature gives a beginner the opportunity to develop the skills needed to maintain proper angles and pressure without losing blood.

I used this shavette for a week before I got my first traditional straight. I bled more times in that first week with this shavette than I have in the subsequent 14 months with traditional straights. Even after about 8-9 months of using traditional straights, when I first picked up this shavette again, I was really nervous. But it didn't take long to realize that my new-found confidence and success with traditional straights cured the risks of the shavette.

So yea...long story short...In my opinion, it can be beneficial to learn with a traditional straight, even though the techniques are pretty much the same.

Point taken. I learned with the Feather AC DX kamisori-style and there was quite a bit of blood-letting during the first month, some of which was simply due to my own recklessness. (I'm amazed that I didn't acquire the nickname Scarface during that period; on the contrary, there was nary a comment about the state of my face, except from my wife, who thought I was nuts. People are either unobservant or too polite to say anything, I guess.) After that initial ordeal, I found the adjustment to a traditional straight to be minor. From my current vantage point, where I feel I'd have to try really hard to cut myself with any kind of straight, the differences between fixed- and replaceable-blade straights seem insignificant.

At the risk of being a repetitious bore, my ongoing inspiration, whenever I'm starting to feel reckless, is the touch employed by this Japanese pro as he wields a shavette to shave a young lady's eyelids:


Happy Happy Go Shaving Day!

Dubl Duck

I've shaved with the Ralf Aust 5/8 every day for the last 20 days. I think I'll switch on the 1st. It's been a long time since I've shaved with a single razor for an extended period.

Wade & Butcher Invincible 5/8 belly hollow

Last month worked so well, I think I'm going to do it again.  For the month of February, I am going to be using the Ralf Aust 7/8 for the entire month.  It was touched up on New Years Day, along with some others, and as the first 3 shaves demonstrated, it's very sharp and very smooth.  

Wacker 7/8 full hollow

Lee Mfg. Magnetic 5/8 full hollow

Perfect Wizard, 5/8, square tip with notch.

I used a Wade and Butcher special 5/8 straight to the dome I would love to post a SOTD but I have no idea how to post photos on here