As probably the only female on the forum who shaves her face, I can now report that shaving my legs with a straight was a WHOLE LOT easier than shaving my face! It was a breeze, really, although I'll confess I avoided the sharp corners down by my ankles.

I've now been shaving my face with a straight exclusively for about a week, and I'm pleased to report it's getting better and better. Shaves are closer, and I haven't bled in at least 4-5 days, so things are much better. I think now it's a matter of shaving technique plus stropping technique.

Now that I'm over the hump and I have a better understanding of what stropping does (aligns the edge, right?), I went back and did a high-end hone of 12 strokes on the Norton 8,000 followed by 12 on the 12,000, 12 on the 16,000, stropping with the red paste, then stropping with the rough leather and then finally the soft supple leather I've grown to love (on a paddle.)


This is all with my back-up razor, JoshEarl has my primary one.

Also, legs were done with a Case XX Red Imp, which worked better than a Boker Shaver's Delight.

So now I have my face razor and my legs razor...and of course, the obligatory 20 pounds or so of various shaving soaps, pre-shave oils, aftershave, etc.

I'm happy!