I like a fresh blade every day. It’s a small and affordable luxury when compared to the cost of, let’s say, a Treet Blue Special (11 cents) vs. a Fusion ($3.50). The only time I will use one more than once is in the case of certain stainless steel blades that appear to improve after the first shave (e.g. the Feather).

This afternoon, although I had prepared all my gear in the shower, I noticed too late that I had forgotten my razor! Dripping wet, I managed to get to my razor stash and grab whatever was closest. It happened to be the same razor I had used the last two times, containing a now 3-day old Sputnik. The blade dragged a little on the two-day growth and by the end of the third pass it had left a bit more stubble than usual. But, miraculously, after the 4th “gloss” pass with the TSS, it left my face in absolute EHM (Eunuch’s Hairles Mug) condition…a sure testament to the efficacy of the TSS in clearing the last bits of stubble.

The superlather was a combination of Valobra Almond Shave Soap plus Proraso Red Shave Cream…a terrific duo.