i used to shave every couple of days for my job, which is the reason the straight appealed to me, but i dont need to anymore. i hardly shave once a week now.

shaving with cartridges always irritates and leaves a rash/bumps so i bought a straight, hanging strop, and paddle strop. soon after getting it i got a new job and didnt need to shave as much so i didnt. there in lies the problem. since i dont shave much i dont get much practice with the straight or stropping so progress has been super slow. cant seem to get a smooth shave that doesnt pull, and also doesnt take forever, with a 2, 3, 4 week beard and my wife doesnt want me to shave everyday, she likes the beard.

since i shave so little should i sell my straight stuff and get a quality de and blades? id like to have a nice shave with non irritated skin afterwards but i really dont feel like putting in the time it takes to use a straight and perfect technique. it is intriguing, as a man i guess, to use something dangerous to shave with but cant say its worth my time right now.

also i have pretty thick individual hairs, kinda rectangular in shape, and a thick beard which doesnt help.

so what do you guys think? am i just doing everything wrong or is my shave schedule and impatience a good enough reason to switch to de?

thanks.

equipment:
dovo 5/8" stainless steel half hollow razor from the superior shave
http://www.shaverhut.com.au/media/ca...-white-5_1.jpg

3" big daddy leather strop from star shaving
3" "Bid Daddy" Leather Strop

3" 2 sided paddle strop from star shaving
2 Sided Paddle Strop, Balsa/Felt