Thanks for the links! I`ll have a squidge at those after tea I`m enjoying maintaining the razor as much as the shave actually, much as I enjoy looking after my engravers, the two aren`t too far apart at all. I think I`ll have a bit of a play with different passes then, that sounds like it might improve things As I say though, I`m chuffed already, if I can do a full shave with no problems the rest will come in time Oh and I bought an Alum block..... It said "soothing" on the box. What did I do? I patted it all over my face and spent the next half an hour to hour feeling like I`d used a cheese grator on my face!! lol Not very soothing. I`ll save that for cuts as it`s obviously ONLY meant for! lol I`ll get onto Ebay and buy the barbers block, thanks for that, I`m sure that`ll do for me at first. I meant to ask what oil you guys use actually, I`ve been using Linseed oil from my workshop until I can pick up something more suitable, it does leave a little residue though...