Despite thourough pre-shave routine, stll having trouble
I began straight razor shaving recently, and have noticed the chin/mustache area is the most difficult spot. My pre-shave routine is a hot shower, during which I apply hair conditioner once or twice to my face. Then apply it once more before applying shaving cream (don't have pre-shave oil yet). Then I go straight to shaving (chin area first), so I know my hair must be pretty soft after just exiting the shower and applying hair conditioner.
But after this my razor is still not having satisfactory results on this area, and others. The hair is mostly not cut down to the skin-level, and the razor is uncomfortably moving accross my face- sometimes it feels a little like I'm hacking away (having to run the razor repeatedly over certain areas, and having the razor come to a "stand-still" when it encounters hair). This was after a good stropping (albiet being down by a newbie). This all may be to blame on my beginner-status, but maybe this is a sign that I need to send off my razor to be honed.
Thanks all for any advice.