Hello everyone,

I completed my first straight shave yesterday and it did not go as well as I thought it was going to. I read alot here, watched Lynn's DVD, watched a few videos on youtube, so thought I was ready. I managed to complete a few strokes down the left hand side of my face to the jawline, but could not manage to find the skills to use my opposite hand for the right side. Forget about the neck...froze up there.

My biggest concern is that I think I may have destroyed my razor or strop (if that is possible). When I went to strop at the end of the shave, I washed and wiped the razor clean with a tissue, but when I went to move the razor along the strop the far edge 'dug' into strop and scratched it the entire length. I was not pressing hard and went slowly. I thought it might be my technique, but tried also on a paddle strop I bought, and the same thing happened. I think perhaps I have done something to the razor?