I'd like to thank all you guys here at Straight Razor Place for fully preparing me for my first shave. I just got all my necessities together this week and have been anticipating shave #1.

I decided to make my first attempt this morning. I took a hot shower and got everything in place. Stropped my shave ready razor using minimal pressure with many passes in the "x" pattern. I'm taking it real slow and light to develop my stropping technique. I tested the blade on my arm and it popped the hair right off. I then proceeded to load my badger brush with glycerin soap and lathered it up with some Nomad shave cream from Crabtree and Evelyn. I used very small light strokes with the grain on my sideburns making sure to find the best angle. I did well with my sideburn, continued with my cheek and then went to the other side. I very carefully went on to my neck. It was going so well that I was going to attempt my chin but decided that I needed more practice handling the razor before I sliced my chin open.

So for my first shave I only did WTG (with the grain) and it went well. I finished it all up with the disposable. After washing my face off I used an Alum block, some light witch hazel and followed with a Lemon based aftershave gel from the Art of Shaving.

I'm happy with my efforts and I am real excited to learn, slowly but surely, how to shave like a gentleman. I attribute this successful shave to all the wise shaving experts and feedback from all the newbies. Thank so much and I look forward to mastering this artform.