8th shave, no blood drawn!

I just successfully completed my 8th shave with my #295 Case Adoration razor (honed by Larry @ Whipped Dog) and didn't draw blood once, what a nice feeling!

I was originally using a VDH soap and getting some nicks (also three rough slices), but yesterday I bought the AoS lemon pre shave oil and lavender shave cream. Yesterday and today went superbly! I cannot determine if my technique is improving, the new product is THAT much better, or some function of the two.

What do you guys think?

Experienced shavers, how often do you nick and cut once you establish a routine?

If you are like me your technique and confidence will take about a year to get solid, and then a few months later...it gets really good and you very very rarely nick anything. Everybody is different, and maybe having only one or two razors would speed up the learning, as i started "proper" with 4 and now have 16 different blades (plus test shaving hone work for others). BUT my point is, are you still with me?, that once the hand(s) and edge maintenance/technique get settled in, THEN the beard/skin gets "wiser" learning to feel miniscule minute (and teeny tiny) variations in the edges you drag through the follicles.

My last nick (see "cut of the day" thread) was just a bump that i wasn't aware of. If i know a bump is there, i'm generally able to shave it without cutting it.

Also helps when you get good enough for 2 passes plus touch-ups. STOPPING if/when the mind starts to wander is a great key to success for the ADD like me.

I may nick myself tonight, but generally don't and don't even agitate the skin much. I haven't used alum in months. Heck I've even learned to cram in a quickie SRS. Because, like what else am i going to shave with? :shrug:

I doubt anything but a SR ever touches my beard again.

You've done very well, carry on.