Aloha!

Congrats on the smooth plunge into straight razor shaving, OP. And hats off to 10pups for the mentoring. A true gentleman for helping an emerging straight razor aficionado.

Mentors can make all the difference in the world.
I started shaving with a straight razor when I was 18 and inherited my grandfather's Solingen. Back then, there was no internet, so I was isolated. My grandfather had long sinced passed, and my father was a DE only guy with no straight razor experience. Luckily my cousin (20 years my senior) was a barber that straight shaved and he took me under his wing and taught me how to strop and shave with a straight. He also honed my razor for me when I needed it. Without his guidance, I would probably have given up and started shaving solely with a DE. I owe him a debt of gratitude, may he RIP. Mentors can be a lifesaver.

-Zip