MR GLO again for prep, and then a very good lather from Mike’s Natural Wild Honeysuckle. His soaps really do require starting with a damp brush and brushing the soap briskly and firmly, generally adding a tiny amount of water along the way to complete the loading.
Phoenix Artisan’s two-tone Ascension (the baseplate is a darker color than cap and handle) did a very nice job. The Ascension is an excellent razor, and it’s occasionally available in metals other than aluminum — copper and stainless steel, for example. I suppose a titanium version is possible, but I’ve not heard anything about a tungsten model, which would be quite hefty.
I dried my perfectly smooth face, applied a splash of Phoenix Artisan’s Honeysuckle aftershave, and welcome the day and the bright sunlight.