Quote Originally Posted by dinnermint View Post
The first thing that comes to mind is skin stretching. This can help alot getting in closer, which will result in less passes, thus less irritation.
Ah, yeah, that's great advice. I sometimes forget to stretch the skin a bit, so that's definitely helpful.

Quote Originally Posted by dinnermint View Post
As far as being a beginner, the chase for a perfect BBS might not be in your best interest. Getting your stropping technique down is paramount at this stage, just after shaving technique. Go for close and comfortable.
Yeah, I'm not going for that - I'm really, at this stage, looking to get close to what I get with a cartridge razor. I know it's an art, and I'll have to perfect it, but I guess I tried to go "cold turkey" from my Mach3. I just really want to get good enough at it (for right now), that I can get a comparable shave with my straight razor.

Quote Originally Posted by dinnermint View Post
Your pre-prep looks good. I never used a hot towel, but when I saw gssixgun's video on "the shave test", I do believe he wipes off all of the lather with the hot towel before reapplying.
Yep, that's where I got the pre-prep technique from. I basically copied gssixgun to the letter.

Quote Originally Posted by dinnermint View Post
The "rubbing off on a towel" does concern me a little. I usually use TP for better control and make sure you pinch the blade, with the spine pointing towards the palm and the TP wrapped around the spine. Usually 1 square folded in half twice. The edge should not cut into the TP whatsoever, it will dull the edge.
So maybe I should explain this a bit more. I got this technique from Lynn's videos, but it probably got corrupted along the way somehow. Basically, when I go to clean off the shave soap/hair that's collected on the razor after a couple of swipes (or maybe even one long one), I run it under the hot water I have running (just the blade). Then, so the blade isn't dripping wet (maybe it should be, but I didn't think it should), I lightly dab it on the towel that I've folded into quarters on the sink. It's mostly to remove the excess water, but it could be affecting the edge of the blade I suppose. This is probably slightly sloppy technique - I'll try wiping it the way you recommend and see if that makes a difference.