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Have taken my first two shaves with a str8 and even though my technique has a long way to go, does anyone use a particular pre-shave to assist with gliding the blade through the stroke? Having visited the pre-shave board, I found discussions about oil, cold water, and additives for your soap. I know this is all very much an individual driven scenario, but what are most doing? :tameshigiri:
I would imagine that most use nothing at all.
Personally, I jump out of the shower, dry off, lather up, and go...but then again, I don't use styptic or alum either. If I nick myself and it bleeds, I just tell myself to suck it up and move on. I don't know why folks use those things anyway...it's not like you're bleeding all over the place when you nick yourself anyway.
At the moment, instead of focusing on pre-shave stuff, focus on prep. Make a good lather using a quality soap, take a shower before your shave, etc. Another thing is technique....ya just ain't got it yet. Not to worry, I sure didn't. Concentrate on technique. It'll take a few weeks before you even start getting the basics of technique down.
IMO, I think the biggest difference comes from the soap itself. Give something like Mitchell's Wool Fat (soap) a try, and you'll likely see a major improvement in razor glide. Bad soap can be truly awful.
EDIT: Oh, and improving your pre-shave prep may help. Like the above poster, I lather up after getting out of the shower, so the beard is nice and soft. If you don't have time for a shower, or warm towels, I've heard people get an improvement by putting hair conditioner on your beard a bit before you shave to soften it. I still think the soap will make the most improvement to glide, however.
For pre shave, try using ordinary hair conditioner. Wash it off, then lather.
As for glide, as mentioned, use a good quality soap or cream. It needn't be expensive. Look in the reviews section. There's a range of prices.