First razor!

Hello. Im new here and new to straight razor shaving. I just shaved for the first time yesterday, and I was using a back up blade my buddy had. I think he got it for really cheap off amazon just to have as a back up. (His regular blade is a Dovo Bismark.)

I had no problem on my cheeks and sideburns, but i had problems with it pulling really bad where my beard was thicker around the chin and neck. I actually had to finish my neck with my Mach 3. HA! I still enjoyed it and I am looking forward to getting used to doing this. I just ordered a Dovo Ebony Silver Steel from VintageBladesLLC along with their house brand strop. Anyone have experience with either of these? I am using Williams Brand Soap from CVS along with the boar hair brush they had. Is this a decent beginner set up? I have been reading about Williams soap and I know that it requires more water than other soaps. Anything else that is easily accessible that would be better for me to use?

I have watched Lynns DVD and many other videos, so hopefully I wont make too many beginner mistakes!!

I wish you luck, but the beginners' mistakes are out there waiting to be made. Your setup is fine for now if the blade arrives "shave ready". Your problems will come when your shaving technique gets put to the test. It takes quite a bit of shaves to get it right, but if you stay with it, you'll do fine.

Saound like you're off to a great start. Coming from Vintage Blades, the razor will already be professionally honed and the strops are very good in my opinion.

thanks! i just did my second shave with the cheap one i mentioned. went much better than yesterday. Probably because I didnt have as much hair on my face today.... Looking forward to my Dovo!

That's the same razor I started with, and bought from the same place. Definitely a fine razor and a good looking one to boot. Take care of it, take your time, pay attention, and you'll be fine! :) And welcome to SRP.