Well now, it's been a full one again. I brown study things were settling down, but I was wrong. But I managed to fit in some smooth shaves...

The strop shop is open, but no one's bought anything yet. I do keep getting questions about talents I don't have, though. So...there's SOMETHING going on! I've got some new things in development as well, so hopefully again this week I'll have another big announcement. And of course, I'm busy trying to keep my shaves contemporary right, so...So Time has not been on my side, but it's good to be busy I think. Isn't it?

Maybe?

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I've had some good times on the hones.

I have an "F. Herder Abr. Sohn" dandy--it's a big, swooping blade with lines that strike me as just right. It's not the prettiest, but it's certainly not bad off. It cleaned up nicely and, most importantly, it honed up Lenient. Zip zip, up the ladder, and BOOM! A sharp, smooth shaver...it's enough to make me realize that people MEAN it when they say that Solingen blades are esteemed ones. Man, I love it when a plan comes together.

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And in other news, I've been trying some new soap, Pre de Provence, from France.

I'll admit, the first two shaves I had with it did not go well. I ended up with nauseous irritation--a bright red, speckled face. It lasted for a couple of days...And I was worried it was the soap. I gave myself a few days of Mitchell's Wool Fat to reconcile up (always a good idea when your face is feeling rough) and last night I gave the PdP another go.

It was great! A very thick, creamy belabour with nice cushion. It wasn't quite as slick as it could have been, there was some drag on the razor, but it went well....

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