Quote Originally Posted by Alembic View Post
Well - you are getting some great advice from the previous posts.

I'd like to add this. While you are reviewing prep, lather building, stropping, shave angles, pressure etc., try and set sone realistic goals for yourself. Three shaves into this is mighty young - thirty shaves is still young. I think everybody would be surprised if you had a safe comfortable BBS shave after three shaves. And, IMHO I think going into 3 passes out the shoot is too much for your skin to handle at this point - especially since you are still trying to get your angles and pressure correct. A straight razor takes off a lot of derma and your skin needs to break in to accomodate this.

The advice that is given here is to start slow concentrating on safe and comfortable and then start going into quality. Finish with a DE (or other) razor while you are getting the experience and improving. This will take time and to put it in perspective, 6 months is a very realistic timeframe.

Good luck and keep at it.
Great advice. I've been at it now for almost 2 months and I'm just now getting to the point I can get a consistently good shave using only the straight razor. About 60 or so shaves down. The biggest thing, I know when to back off to prevent getting bad razor burn. I'm willing to sacrifice BBS for a comfortable shave.