Thread: Straight Razor Identity Crisis

So my razor (Prima Klang) seemed to be off (it was starting to pull) so I ordered a Naniwa 12k, a Naniwa lapping stone and some CrO paste for my balsa wood strop. In the mean time I had to go back to my G. Fusion but I kept the same beard prep and used my SRD soap instead of ordinary Gillette shaving gel. Got the smoothest shave, the best I've had so far with anything... straight, Fusion or electric. I'm not ready to throw in the towel on straights, while I have Lynn's DVD and have watched it repeatedly, I am assuming my honing technique is not the best. On top of that, the really smooth shave with the Fusion came with a price; no blood but let's just say that aftershave lotion is not optional. And there are places on my face as I write this that are feeling a little heat (even after the cold water and the lotion--interestingly it's not pink though). Is this normal? Am I walking some well worn path and all the experienced people reading this are chuckling to themselves remembering this time when it happened to them? Or have I stumbled onto the means of how to at least get a smooth shave (though not a particularly comfortable one--at least post shave) with a cartridge?

Sorry for the rant.
Thanks.
Adrian.