First shave was bloodless
Got home from an out of town wedding last night and the "vintage" razor I had purchased from HNSB's "Straight Razors for sale" website was waiting for me. Along with the strop, and VDH brush, soap & mug kit I had bought elsewhere.
Braided a cord to be able to fasten my strop to the door knob in the bathroom, stropped the blade and put a hot wet towel on my face for 15 seconds or so. Built up a good lather and commenced with my first str8 razor shave.
I'm sure I can improve my technique, but the whiskers are gone, and no vital fluids leaked out of my ugly mug