Well I read Lynn's informative thread for beginner straight shavers and it helped a lot. It is definitely a confidence builder. I started with the blade flat on my face and did one slow deliberate pass and took no hair off LOL. Then I re-lathered the area and started flat and tilted the blade slightly and did a pass and this time I heard the hair coming off. So I re-lathered and at the risk of causing a little irritation did another pass of the same area. I must say the resulting shave was very smooth and most importantly no cuts! over the next couple of weeks I will keep progressing until I am able to do the entire shave with the straight. Thanks to Lynn for writing such a helpful piece.