Thread: first shave

I have been shaving for nearly 2 months with a DE and was getting good results so I figured I'd screw everything up and go for a straight, here's the short story.

Tools:
ERN (see below)
TM beginner strop
Body shop shave cream
Vulfix (crappy) badger brush
Body shop Arbor asb


Day 1.
I received my vintage ERN razor yesterday see here: ( http://straightrazorpalace.com/showthread.php?t=17026 ), with a TM beginner strop, making today the first day I've shaved with the thing. It is lighter than expected.. but anyhow
here's how it went:

After my usual shower/conditioner in the shower, I jumped out and lathered up. I stropped the razor as best I could for about 30 passes, as I tried to learn the technique (which didn't take long, but speed is still slow - technique is more important than speed to me). I relathered, and then began to shave.

Pass 1:
WTG down. Managed both sides of the face, the neck and the lower part of the chin, had a bit of trouble with the upper lip but persevered. Razor is catching/sticking a tiny bit but this is probably my technique/blade angle rather than the blade

Pass 2.
Relather then, XTG, both cheeks were ok once more, I used a buffing type of technique, though keeping the blade angle consistant was tricky. This is where I got a one hairline cut (as I moved the skin under the blade.) I missed a few spots at the jawline and on the upper lip.

Pass 2.5.
Touchup. I usually relather certain areas and reshave them, this time I did both my cheeks XTG in the opposite direction, just under the jaw line and the sides of my lips. This was most difficult with the straight but again I worked with the blade, light touch.

Finisher.
There were one or two stray hairs that I caught with the DE, but this was so minor it is barely worth mentioning. ASB applied

Tally:
Cuts: 2 (one pinpoint, one line - both non bleeders that closed up between passes, both just below my lower lip) less problems than with the de.

Skin:
feels good.. Looks better than it would with the DE. Overall, happy. Nice close shave

Tips for future:
Practice stropping.
A little pressure goes a long way.
Actually felt easier to shave the left side with my right hand than my left (did on pass 2, tried left hand on pass 1) Will try to learn how to shave with my left.

Overall, success.