4th Week - Finally got that BBS with my straight razor. What a relief!

RUINED: leather strop, honing by Lynn, my face for the last three weeks
PURCHASED: new leather, Lucky Tiger Bay Rum AS, Norton 4k/8k stone, and another styptic pencil
WATCHED: every YouTube video from - Lynn Abrams, gssixgun, DrMatt357, geofatboy, and a few others.

TODAY: I re-established the edge on my razor with the stone and VERY PATIENTLY AND METICULOUSLY stropped it afterwards. Now THAT is what shaving is supposed to be like!! Was able to actually go over my chin and upper lip without crying. Went ATG with some success. 1000X better shave! Still had to clean up the chin and upper lip with my trusty Merkur DE, but I am feeling so much better now that I know that I can perform this skill with success.

Now all I have to do is hone my skills (and my blades) and relax! Thanks to all of you for all the advice you give. My next shave will be with my Granddaddy's razor. It hasn't been used since he died back in 1978. I am looking forward to growing this beard just so I can shave it off!