Hmmm... Yeah, you are definitely on the right track! So, you get the stubbly thing after multiple passes? Some people do 3, others 2. I still have a bit of stubbly feel after my first pass when I go from chin to chest but when I reverse going chest to chin during my second XTG pass I get the smoothness I'm looking for.

Not sure about the trouble with getting hairs to catch... When I've honed properly and I do that either the hairs just burst as the blade comes in contact and the end goes flying away... Or, if the hair is thicker sometimes I feel the edge catch the hair and then pop and rarely, for whatever reason, the hair will split with one part remaining attached and the other coming off like a fillet.

Either way, if the hair pops or catches mid-hair then you are set. If you are using a hair held by your hand make sure to really choke up on it... Hold about 5mm or so away from where you want to cut and as you do pull the razor up and away slightly from the hand holding the hair. It should catch/pop.

Play with blade angle by laying the blade flat against your skin prior to your stroke then raise the spine up off your skin very slightly and try a pass... Repeat that over the same trouble spot until you get the angle/feel to come together at the same time you are getting the shave you want.

But, it just takes time and you shouldn't push it if it is getting frustrating. When I started I did what I could with my SR then finished with Mach III (I was never cool enough to go beyond 3! ;-) ) and just walked away.

I wonder if there is a way to mass-Skype so someone can point the phone at the mirror and a bunch of Members can shout out ideas like on The Price Is Right? That wouldn't be intimidating or distracting, nah!

You are WAY getting there if you are working this far into a shave in a week... Hang in there!

Shawn
-----