Ok, I am new to this stuff, and I have been reading and searching to find answers, and to be honest I think I have, but I couldn't help post my experience so far so someone would tell me what I already know so I can keep going.

I bought a Boker Arbolito straight razor, and a Muhle "handcrafted silvertip" brush which they advertise as very good. Also got a horsebutt strop with the linen bit on it, a nice stand, and some muhle soap. My problem is like many, I am getting razorburn on my chin area. Not terrible, just enough to annoy me for a few hours. I started like I was told, not doing it. I did the sideburns and cheeks without an issue, also can do the neck without a problem, and for the most part my upper lip has been uneventful, minus the slight burn from the last shave. I haven't been doing it but about a week now, but I feel pretty confident in all of those areas of my face, now I am just working on technique and getting a good pattern down.

My chin has more dense hair than the rest of my face, so I think that is part of the problem. Another one is I am in korea (army sent me here) and the water is on the hard side, so I am having a bit of trouble getting a good lather going, I can do it, just hard to do, and I feel like when I get home it will be better. I realized after my last shave that I may not be letting the lather sit long enough, I read somewhere that it should sit for a couple of minutes to soften the hair, and I wasn't really doing that. I also may be putting too much pressure on the area, since I am trying harder to figure it out, and I read that is a common problem.

I do like it, I couldn't stand shaving with electrics or cartridge razors. I must say my least favorite part of this is the fact that it is hard to practice, because after I shave, I have to wait until it grows back to work on my technique!

Just making sure it sounds to you guys like I am doing everything right, and I will continue on my path into the light. Meanwhile I am going to go read through all of the other people asking the same thing I am.