Thread: I think I've got it!

I've recently (3 weeks) started shaving with a straight razor. I've had the usual learning curve issues, small cuts and less than close shaves. But today it all came together, I now have a sense of how it's supposed to feel when shaving and more importantly when stropping.
I stropped about 50 times on the canvas of my Artisan strop, and about 30 times on the leather. Lathered up with some Kiss My Face cream, using a cheap boar bristle brush. I manage to get a good lather with this combination.
Two passes, I'm getting a feel for shaving with both hands. I seem to have gotten a better feel for how the blade feels while making good cut, using short strokes.
I've read many of the posts here, and they've been very helpful. It seems that the main thing for me has been developing the proper feel.

Thanks.
Mitch

Yes, must use both hands. After a while your unorthidox hand will be just as good as the other.

Well congratulations! It feels like a victory doesn't it? I have a theory that those of us in a prior life that used cartridges, would press down or towards the skin when the shave wasn't as good or just in general. The more the razors dulled, the harder we pressed. With the straights, I think of a parallel movement. I think of gliding the razor against my face and perpendicular pressure in to the whiskers. Once I thought of shaving this way, I have not had any razor burn, very few nicks and zero cuts.