Congrats on the first shave. Remember this is an art (that includes making good lather) Check here Category:Lather - Straight Razor Place Wiki Two things - Did you start with a professionally sharpened razor and if you did proper angle and skin streching plays a major role in a good shave. Coming from a mach 3 I had to learn both too. Now that the first one is done at least you have the basic idea and are now ready to begin the quest to the great shave. Stay with it you'll get there it just takes time.