Best shave yet!

I posted this in beginners, because I think I'm going to be a beginner for a long time.

My shave today was my Dovo Prima Klang from SRD, using Castle-Forbes Cedarwood and Sandalwood soap, lathered in a Dirty Bird Scuttle with a Parker Silver Tip brush. I decided I wasn't giving up until I was happy, so honestly, I couldn't say how many passes I made, but it was more than 3 (probably 5) mostly WTG and XTG. I kept to very short strokes with the razor, everywhere. I found that technique gives me more control and the ability to adjust angle more often. I had stropped the razor 10 on canvas and 50 on the SRD Paddle Strop. During the shave, I constantly took note of results and refreshed my lather if I wasn't happy with an area. No blood was shed and I got as close to BBS as I would ever hope to with my Mach xxx. When I finished I dried with a tissue and stropped 7 canvas, 25 Paddle strop leather.

I now have 3 razors in rotation: the Dovo, a Ralf Aust 5/8 and a R. Aust 6/8 stainless all from SRD. So far it's a toss up for me between the Dovo and the 5/8 R. Aust. For some reason the R. Aust 5/8 feels better in my hand (and has jimps) and the Dovo seems to not fit my grip as well. Also, it has no jimps, and I wish it did, because it feels a little slippery, which is one of the reasons I shortened my strokes (to re-grip).

I finished with drug store Witch Hazel followed by the Shave Den's Iced Bourbon Vanilla aftershave. All in all a good day. I really liked the lather I got from the Castle Forbes, but am rotating soaps also through a bunch of samples from SRD and elsewhere. So far the Castle Forbes is near the top of my list, with Pre de Provence and DR Harris also being very good.

Thanks to all the members for sharing their experiences and to Lynn for the wonderful honing on my 3 razors. My advice to other beginners...hang in there and keep adjusting different parts of your regimen. Sooner or later you'll hit a home run like I did today.