Second straight shave.
Same straight (George Butler 5/8 KEEN), same strop (handmade 3" roo and linen), different brush (620), different soap (Latha)
Stropping this morning felt a little less weird, then again I started by holding the scales - I assume this is a no-no. Was comfortable but... Don't worry I reverted back to flipping the shank.
The 620 built a beautiful thick protective lather, but it seems maybe the Latha's lather was a little too thick for the purposes of the straight shave. Was weird, compared to yesterday (and the MdC) the lather seems to have made my fingers more slippery - had less surer grip on the shank and tang - but on the face the lather didn't give the same glide as the MdC. Odder again, the wake of the Latha was far more slippery to grip for the skin tightening than the MdC. So I assume I made too thick a lather. All-in-all today was a little messier than yesterday. Caught myself in the reflection at one point and my face looked like a toddler eating an ice-cream cake. Seriously how the hell did the lather get up there? Anyway, most strokes were a little surer but again the slippery shank was a little off-putting (and, no, the jimps didn't help much).
One thing I achieved today, that I didn't yesterday, was to hear the blade sing.....twice! First time was early on the right cheek readying the first stroke, blade to face, touches skin, a little downward for the stroke but it resisted immediately. "TING!". "WTF was that?". Thought nothing of it but then the area went a little red - my first micro-cut, nick, slice, not sure what you call it? No blood dripped just slightly highlighted red across the shortened line. A little later on the second pass across the left cheek. Preparing for the second stroke and "TING!". This one was louder with better resonance (I'm sure it echoed!) and I could feel a little bite. Again, no blood to really speak of just a thin (longer) red line. Stings a little now (10 minutes on) though. Funny how the blade bites at the rest. Is it an angle thing or?
Think I did better yesterday. Not sure if it was the lather, more attention (though I was still pretty damn focused/fearful) or what it was but I felt less adventurous by shave's end. Still did both cheeks, neck and even ventured to immediately under the lip.
Much to learn...which is exciting.