So I bought a stainless steel half-hollow (I think) off BST, and so far, I'm just not having much luck. I'm spending a lot of time adjusting my angles and pressure, but things just aren't happening for me. But, then someone suggested that it might just be the razor. Either due to it being stainless steel (I'm not 100% sure what that meant, but I felt like I should have, so I just nodded along.) or... maybe the design of the razor just doesn't work for my beard. I'll stick to this one for a bit longer, but it's something to think about. I've got a pretty thick, coarse beard.

I was suggested a wedge works better, but I also read something about full-hollow razors being better for hard beards. This is a point I'm none too clear on. I'd like for my next razor to be factory new, but I'm worried about investing in a piece that's not going to work for my face. At the same time, I don't want to put money into a bunch of secondhand razors that I'm going to keep passing on. I'm 22, a student and poor. Money's an issue.

So, the jist of it is this: I'm planning for the second razor, I don't want to spend a lot, and want a factory-new blade. I've got a coarse, thick beard, a good strop, but not a lot of skill (yet. Hopefully will by the time I order.)

Recomendations?