This is kind of a ramble, but here goes. I have shaved twice now. Once two days ago, and again an hour ago. I'm not doing what I would call well.

I'm using:

A Dovo classic 5/8, pre-honed and shave-ready from Vintage Blades
The shaving soap that came with it
Vulfix 2233 Super Badger brush
Castle Forbes pre-shave

Before I got started with Str8 shaving, I told some family and friends I was going to try it; they all told me I was going to cut my throat and teased me. Which intimidated me somewhat.

So anyway, my pre-shave routine both times has been as follows:

Took a hot shower, scrubbing my face with hot water only.
After the shower, my face seemed very dry, especially the second time.
I applied a steaming hot towel for a minute, repeated twice
I applied the pre-shave oil, fairly liberally.
Applied the shaving soap. I could not get what I deem a good lather in the mug, and I did try.
Repeated the steaming towel.
Re-applied the shaving soap.

Before the second time I stropped for the first time, 20x. I hung it from the robe hook on the back of the bathroom door, and I felt it may have been a little too high.

I tried to determine if my whiskers were as soft as they ought to be in order to begin, but I couldn't really tell. I have very stiff whiskers, esp around my chin and upper lip. My jaw line and chin are kind of sharp.

So I started with my cheeks, beginning at the sideburns, going WTG. This actually went pretty well. I gained some confidence.

Where I ran into trouble was everywhere else.

My neck hairs around my Adam's apple grow sideways, in the same direction on both sides. And I have been unable to figure out a way to shave WTG without cutting myself. I tried shaving XTG and ATG and got a lot of resistance.

I was going really slowly to keep from killing myself, and one problem I had was that my skin kept drying out. So I would splash more warm water and apply more soap. However, I was concentrating so hard that sometimes I would realize I was trying to shave myself while dry.

I have a dimple in my chin, and that, combined with the stiffness of my hairs, made shaving there very difficult. Although I did feel that I got better at it the second time. Again, my hairs grow somewhat sideways here, and it was very difficult to shave WTG to get started.

Both times I was determined not to finish with my standby Gilllete Mach3 but both times I caved, due to razor burn. I'm pretty sure the razor burn was mostly a result of me going over the same places too often,

Afterwards I splashed with cold water several times and applied Castle Forbes aftershave, which I actually like. I did cut myself a few times, but I clot quickly so I am unconcerned about that.

I'm wondering if my blade is too long, because sometimes, like on my neck, I felt I couldn't get to a concave place without cutting myself.

I am undeterred in my quest, but I definitely need advice.

Oh, and yes, I watched Lynn's video. But I may watch it again.