Greetings all!

I've been lurking around for a week or so, having got it into my head to try shaving with a straight. I've always had no end of trouble shaving and normally can only shave every second day. Lately I've been using one of the fancy-schmancy four-blade disposables, which has been doing a good job, but the expense and sheer waste really began to get to me. So all of you inspired me to try a new approach!

I picked up an inexpensive, used, shave-ready razor from Invisible Edge and a basic strop. I happened to be visiting a friend in London last week and we happened to walk by the Trueffit & Hill shop, so I popped in to have a look and left with the West Indian Lime Shaving Cream.

Today I took the plunge, had a long, hot bath and soaked my face in the bath, then put lather on my face, put a hot towel on, put more lather on, and used the razor for the first time.

The damage wasn't too bad: no real cuts or nicks, though there were a few tiny blood spots and the base of my neck went bright red in parts (though I have that problem no matter what type of razor I use). The only injury was to my thumb, which I somehow managed to slice.

The shave was wonderful. Not as close as I get with the 4-blade cartridge, but in some ways it feels smoother. And, odd to say, it *looks* better (where I've done a decent job). I can tell that it will take a lot of practice, but it was a very enjoyable and relaxing experience, setting aside the stress of using the razor for the first time.

My thanks to all of you! While I've never posted before and don't know any of you, the generous advice and discussions on this board gave me the confidence to give the straight a try.

-Brian