So I received my brush and a tub of Taylor's today (still waiting on my strop). I had been practice shaving all week with a butter knife so I decided to go ahead and try this out today. My first impressions are great--when I started out shaving years ago I used disposable BICs which were really painful while shaving.. Electrics were better, but couldn't get longer hairs, so I had to trim with the attachment and then finish with the shaving head--still very uncomfortable and time consuming (Norelco 3D).

I noticed right away that straight razor shaving was much less painful and irritating to my skin. I did well on both the right and left cheeks, and then I started on my neck (not because of impatience but because I used a bit too much TOBS and didnt want to waste it) I used both hands on the razor while shaving. I only managed to nick myself once (which is actually less than using the BIC and electric) and was really proud of that. My main goal was not to rip my face off and I accomplished that, however my shave wasn't super close as I have an even amount of stubble on my neck (the face was closer but still not perfect). I'm mostly sure that my razor is shave ready, as it passed the thumb test, and I'm 100% that my technique needs to improve. Anyone have any advice as to how I might get closer? Do I need multiple passes?