Still Progressing...

So I've done a few more shaves, with varying success. There's a couple issues that I know will just have to come with experience (had some drag in the shaving cream, needed more water in the mix...things like that), but I thought I'd ask advice to see if others are caused by technique issues or what.

I'm getting a lot of irritation. Thus far I've only done my cheeks, and I try to take as few strokes as I can, but the last time it looked like my 5 o'clock shadow had just turned from black to red. Under the sideburns there were pretty distinct red lines, from where I started the stroke. Would this be from a bad angle? Too much pressure? A different type of irritation from where the hair follicle was cut...looked like bad acne. The redness only lasted a couple of hours but I could still feel it the next day. Improper stropping/dull blade? Sensitivity to shaving cream?

Just curious if anyone had any suggestions. Thanks again!

Irritation in combination with nicks where you put the blade down on your face? I'd say that you're using too steep an angle.
If you place the blade flat on your face, and then lift the spine about two times its own thickness, that would approximate a good cutting angle. The most shallow angle that cuts your whiskers is the best.
Also, your pressure might be a bit too high. Many shavers that migrate from a cartridge have the tendency to use too much pressure. (Of course I don't know what your previous shaving system was) Pressure has to be minimal with a straight razor. Think of it as floating barely above your skin with the razor.

I hope this helps. Keep us posted.

Have fun,

Bart

What Bart said + the possibility of an overhoned edge.

I had pretty good shaves up until two nights ago. Pretty sure that I had gotten too comfortable and was applying too much pressure. Afterward, my skin had the same problem as yours. From what I understand, there really shouldn't be any pressure. Just let is slide over the skin.