So I received my first straight kit today morning and was excited to try it out. I took a hot shower, did the hot towel (not hot enough though...because someone used the shower for an hour before me ) and whipped up AOS sandalwood with 3 drops of glycerin.

I stropped on the fabric about 25 times and then 50ish times on the leather and managed to produce two small nicks...it's not really a big deal since this is my learning equipment and it was expected. So on to the shave...it really wasn't too bad, and I ended up with a CCS.

The highlight of the shave, was when I did a fool's pass...I don't know what came over me but...I just went for it, and survived without having to go to the emergency department. My heart was pounding slightly when I went ATG on my upper lip, and even though I did okay, I would rather not have to take that kind of risk, so I'm hoping that in time I won't have to do the fool's pass.

I nicked myself above my upper lip on my second WTG pass and ended up with a little razor burn but that was the extent of the damage. Going WTG was pretty smooth but there was a little tugging going ATG, which I think is probably a combination of poor stropping and blade angle.

All in all, it was really not bad, and I can only look forward to improving.