I just had my first shave with a straight razor this morning. I feel like a new man. I walk differently now. I speak differently. My interactions with other people are different. I owned every conversation I had today. Throughout the day as I ran errands, met some friends for lunch etc. I kept saying to myself, "I shaved with a straight razor today. Wow." This is how a man shaves. This is why I got myself a straight.

Now, I will not describe my first shave with a straight as spectacular or anywhere near BBS for that matter. And I didn't expect anything of the sort. However, contrary to sound advice, I did manage to do 2 full passes wtg for some descent results. I've been wet shaving with a Mach 3 for years now, so I know my face well. I shaved my sideburn and just could not stop there, so I just decided to go for it.

Don't get me wrong, there was a couple of moments where I had to pause and take a deep breath, and I took it slow. I spent the better part of half an hour (maybe longer!) to finish my entire face. But I never stopped respecting the razor and was always aware of what the blade could do if I got careless. So I am relieved to say that I finished with only 2 small nicks, which stopped bleeding on their own very soon after my shave.

Anyhow, here are my humble beginnings:

SRD Vetiver Soap
Dovo Silver Steel - Ebony
EJ BBB in faux horn
Filly Strop

I want to thank this forum for being such a great source of information. I never thought I would say this, but I can't wait until it all grows back so I can do it all over again.