BnB,
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'Seems like you're getting good help already. 'Sorry to hear about the slice. I also spent too much on first blades... and most other mistakes. If it was expensive, I probably made it several times. Experience is what allows you to recognize a mistake when you make it again.
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My early experience is recent enough (2yrs ago) that I still remember it well. So many of the experience guys wrote about the first 6 mo. really being about learning the shave, trying different stretches, strokes and blade angle 'til they find what works well in which area. The more angular your facial features, the more work it'll take to get it right. It is definitely true that it gets better and better w/ experience. Plateaus happen, then you try another technique and the shaves improve more. By then, you're toast. Shaving w/ anything else seems half arsed.

At this point you don't seem to have made another normal big mistake (which of course, I did). The experienced guys say to shave about 6 mo before taking up honing. When learning the shave, the quality of your edges is very important - you need better edges than the experienced shaver. It helps to have a 2nd blade to use while one is out being honed. It needn't be a costly blade - just one that is sound and well honed. Trying another size or grind exposes you to a different feel - and you start to learn what you prefer in a blade. By keeping the blades in the humble price range, you get to experience more without going broke. Maybe the best way to do is to find others in your area that are willing to let you try their gear. If your travels take you near the Portland, OR area. Gimme a hollar and you can try lots of gear. In the mean time, if you need a had with your edges, I'd be happy to help - just the actual cost of getting it back to you (postage, envelope).
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If that slice is still healing. Make sure you don't shave over it again until healed - it'll just keep opening it and delay the healing. Lynn once said Neosporin help a nic heal faster. I've found that to work for me also. The brand neosporin has ingredients the low cost generics do not. The inactive ingredients is a 'who's who' of good things for skin.

Keep posting, asking questions. We love our shaves and will work pretty hard to help others love theirs.