schwack

well, the sharpening certainly worked, and most likely my stropping technique has improved slightly. got a nice shave with little irritation and decent closeness in the trouble areas. getting better at under the nose. still cut the mole a little. it might be gone altogether after a couple of weeks.

the old man is holding on to a straight razor or two that used to belong to his dad. i'm going to attempt to acquire it/them and put it/them to use as a living heirloom rather than a dusty/forgotten/bottom-of-drawer heirloom. though my blade is of the highest quality, the handle is kinda cheap. perhaps the familial blade is housed in a nicer handle.

perhaps not.