Just did my first straight razor shave ever. A new, Dovo razor honed by Lynn Abrams. (It easily passed the hair test) Prepped with hot towels, shave oil, and G.Trumpers shave cream on a beaver brush. It was painful with a lot of pulling sensation from my whiskers. Not a close shave at all. Couldn't get near my chin for the scraping sensation. Hmmm. Thought I had the pre-shave routine down, as I have been using the brush/Trumpers for a couple weeks. Watched the Lynn Abrams DVD twice. He made it look so simple and non-painful. I havent had a shaving experience that miserable since my wife used my sensor XL on her legs without telling me. I want to say that my beard wasn't soft enough. Maybe not enough hot towell time? I just cranked up my hot water heater to see if that helps. I also usually shave in the shower so hopefully the heat will help. Overall, pretty disapointed. Now I am drinking a Bells Kalamazoo Stout and sulking. At least I didn't cut myself...... Any advice would be appreciated