Hello everybody. Just thought I'd introduce myself and say howdy. I've been forum lurking for about a month now trying to absorb everything I could so I could start smart. And yesterday my first straight edge came in.

I decided I wanted to go with something new and pre-sharpened before I started on the vintage stuff, so I would have a base line, so I got Thiers Issard's Evant Sonnant Extra. Nice blade, cheap scales, which is fine by me. I'm really looking forward to trying my hand at making some custom scales.

In some places, best shave ever, even over my old DE. Specifically the mustach, cheeks, neck (my wife was so excited by my new hobby she wanted to play too, and has claimed sovrenity of every shave from the ears back. Yea, she's awesome). So, the easy stuff.

Overall a good shave, a few nicks, but not bad for a first try.

The throat, chin, and jawline are another story. Still a good deal closer shave than I ever got with a disposable or cartridge, but no matter how many times I went over my chin, it just never seemed to get that nice baby face feel. Admittadly I didn't go against the grain, which I HAD to do with my DE to get it that close. I tried once or twice, but it skipped. My neck also feels pretty torn up, which is honestly pretty common for me, though this was worse in that there were a few nicks this time. So I'm wondering if it is just going to be practice, or if there is another problem. Here's my routine:

Razor: Thiers Issard Evant Sonnant Extra from Classic Shaving (pre-sharpened)
26mm silvertip brush
Taylor of old bond shaving cream

1. long shower, washed and exfoliated face
2. Make a good lather, apply shaving cream for 2 minutes
3. strop razor while lather continues to sit
4. Shave!
5. Rinse with cold water
6. clean up with one of those little white chalky sticks that stings like a mother
7. should probably consider an aftershave. Hmm.

Anyone have any more good tips for a begginer? I'm hoping the hole neck being ripped up thing will subside with time.

One more question: does increasing the angle from 30 to a more agressive, say, 45 or 55 get a closer shave? Or am I just hurting my face.

Anyways, glad to meet you all. I appreciate all the advice and such you have put on this site for begginers, it has really helped.

Course, now I'm in trouble. Those restorationists in the wookshop have their hooks in me, and I've got two old razors waiting for cleaning, sharpening, and scaling. ::sigh:: this could get expensive.