It just seems to get better as I go. Of course for a newbe there are a lot of things to get better. I have only used a Genco that I got from the classifieds here. I apologize to the person I got it from because I can't remember who that was. But it was a shave ready Genco for $35 Shipped. First shave it pulled hair. As I said everything gets better so it's hard to tell why, but the last shave was really smooth. For one, my technique is getting a little better I think. I'm learning to strop better and giving more strokes on the strop, and the strop is probably breaking in. And I started using Castle Forbes Pre-shave. What ever it is, Probable a combination of it all, I love it. My wife even said I was getting better ( nick wise ). Now to try for no nicks at all. I have a bunch of razors I need to get honed as soon as possible, but I love my little Genco. It shaves really nice. I think I need a few more Genco's.