I joined this Forum roughly one year ago. I had just bought my first vintage straight razor, and needed help with it. And I started learning sharpening, honing, stropping, shaving technique . . .

This morning, I was able to do two passes with a straight razor, one pass with a DE:

. . . BBS in most places, DFS in the rest

. . . no razor burn, no nicks.

I figure I've learned how to shave.

It hasn't been a quick learning curve, but it's been fun. And I'm still climbing.

My message to others:

. . . Yes, "learning to shave" can be slow. But it _does_ happen.

Charles

PS -- the gear:

. . . George Butler "Shakespeare" straight razor (eBay, I honed it)
. . . Gillette Tech with Feather blade (antique store, $5)
. . . pre-shave: Dove "Damage Therapy" hair conditioner (Costco)
. . . Proraso shave soap
. . . Plisson badger brush (I've used it for 20 years)
. . . Japanese soup bowl, floating in a sinkful of hot water.