I just received my straight today with my strop and brush and soap. First things first stropping correctly is harder then it seems and I have already taken the tiniest bite out of my strop. need to slow down a bit until I have it down I think. This won't affect my stropping will it. I mean the small cut. I used a soap as my lather and found out that it dried out by the time I got to that side of the face as I ignored Lynn's warning about only shaving one side burn. What can I say I really liked it. It was so peaceful dragging one blade across my skin instead of 3 and actually having to pay attention to it. I did a 3 pass WTG, XTG and ATG and made it out with only 3 small nicks and a tender face. Not bad for my first time ever. I just have a few questions. How do I make my lather stay wet? Since I am learning and it takes me a long time to do 3 passes. The whole thing took me about an hour. The only part I struggled with was near my Adams apple because I have a "defined" neck with not much roundness to it. Also can someone help me get a process going because I had no idea what to do with my brush after I lathered. I put it back into my mug. I tried both the shaving soap and the shaving cream and both of them dried and flaked. That was the only thing that made my shave a little uncomfortable but all in all I've got to say I can't wait to shave again. Any advice would be appreciated. A little about razor care would help too such as how to store, what to oil etc. Thanks guys!