Hi everyone,

Shave #2 is in the bag, and I'm still loving it. I've switched my routine from morning shower/shave to evening shaves to give myself more time during the learning curve, but I'm enjoying the end of day relaxation, so I might keep it up.

I had my first problem with lather today, a shaving cream sample from Origins just flat out didn't lather. I finally gave up and switched back to the SRD soap, and got a nice lather going. But I realized for my first question, how much lather is enough? Realizing the correct answer is going to be enough to cover your face for as many passes as you're doing...but more I'm wondering, when do the veterans feel like they have enough lather in the bowl, mug, etc? Should it primarily be in the brush, and I'm just a nervous rook that would like to see a pile in the bowl? Do you like to see a thin to decent coating around the edges of the mug before you say, "right, enough of that, time to apply!"?

I tried the neck today for the first time, just a WTG pass, but that is something of a rush feeling the blade pass over your trachea. I got a little bit of razor burn in the usual spot just under the point of my jaw on the left, but (probably just self-delusion) it seems like there's less than with a cartridge. However, I did notice as I was nearing the end of the shave, that I tend to go back a LOT and re-shave areas that I've already passed over and are no longer lathered. Sometimes returning 3 or 4 times, In part I think because my beard is dark enough I keep thinking I missed spots and go back to touch up...habit from cartridges I think. So first, I know I need to develop a pattern and stick to it. But I was also wondering, how bad is this habit? Is it something I should train myself hard to stop doing? Or does everyone not making a video of how to shave go back over places a few times (occasionally) before re-lathering?

Thanks very much for suggestions and advice!

Best,
Greg