I've been DE shaving for about 8 months. I've become really proficient and get terrific results, and its enjoyable.

I've always wanted to try a straight, and nearly did many years ago, but glad I didn't, as I was able to do more homework via the DE experience. So prep and lather are not issues, and I've done my reading on 'how to', and what to expect.

But my straight experience has been awful so far. I bought a vintage German blade from B&B, and despite the seller honing his own blades, this one was not shave ready for me. I sent it to Onimaru from here, and he's got a sharper edge on it, but it still bounces and tugs anywhere but my cheeks WTG.

To top it, after my second shave, it appears I've nicked the edge while stropping. So now I can't use it. Is this possible? I heeded Oni's advice to treat the edge with care and stropped it with as much care as I could.

So while I was very keen and looking forward to the learning experience, the opposite is now the case.

So am I expecting too much of this blade and my technique so far? I'm not expecting results anywhere near my DE, but was hoping to get a pass completed at least, albeit probably a pretty ordinary one.

I hold the blade quite firm to stop it skipping, but keep the touch on the face very light.

I've kept the blade very flat, to the point of almost sliding over the hair, but the only thing I can shave is my cheeks WTG. With stretching this takes me a little way down the neck too. I can do a few little of parts of the neck - has to be ATG though, I can't manoeuvre this blade WTG on my neck as the hair grows sideways and the blade won't fit shaving that way. But that's about it. No cuts, weeps or redness. But no shave either.

Just want to get some comments where I'm at. But I'm pretty much stalled here, with my blade as is anyway.