What a difference! Not sure what happened really as I changed almost everything. If you all remember my first attempt was so horrible I blamed the razor for not being properly honed.. not so sure now. But it breaks down like this: first attempt.. little research, jumped in, cold shave, lack luster lather, weird angles, pressed too hard, murdered my face. Second try: Lots of reading, questions, watching vids, stropped the razor carefully, followed gssixgun's vid.. hot towel, hot lather,hot towel again, hot lather, very light touch (imaging that) pull skin tight.. hey! I shaved! I cant believe it.. it was like a different razor. How can it seem so dull one time and sharp the next? granted it wasn't a perfect shave but compared to the first it was night and day.. Only one mishap when I was using left hand, came in too hot and had the razor pointed straight at my face(duh) got a nice cut but other than that I did pretty well. One thing I would like to mention for new guys is you really just barely have to hold the blade to your face.. I think we are so used to being aggressive with a cartridge razor it just comes natural but you have to be very light with the SR. I dont see what kept me from cutting my face off the first time. Now I'm just wishing my beard would hurry and grow out so I can shave again