First - Hello to everyone here. Like all forums of this gentlemanly nature, there is a great deal of good information to get yourself going and avoid mistakes. However, the trick is listening to that advice.

As we all know, youth and inexperience can tend to make an ass out of ones self. I am not young, but I am inexperienced, and now I'm an ass.

Lynn gives some excellant advice for us newbies on the first shave. Listen to it! That means you! You know who you are. You got all of the equipment. Stropped your razor, lathered up and the first few strokes went well. So, you figure what the heck, I'll do a full double shave on my first time out of the shoot. Really bad idea. He says start on the dominant hand side with the dominant hand, shave under the sideburn to the jaw, and go slow slow. Then do the rest of your face with your usual equipment. Sounds simple enough. So do it.

Nope. I went into a full WTG and ATG double shave. I can only say that I am lucky I did not do more damage. The only nick I got was right on the underside of my nose (actually on the nose) which is someplace you don't even need to shave. So tomorrow, I am back on the Lynn Abrams plan. Take it slow, learn the feel of the razor and enjoy the experience.

I will say in spite of my exuberance causing me to run full steam ahead, I really loved it and I think I'm hooked.

Thanks again to all of the experienced advice given.