Taking up the straight again

I started shaving with a straight razor a couple of years ago, and made all the mistakes... "pushing through", nicking my strop, the whole nine yards. I remember I was just about getting comfortable when I decided my razor (a low-end new Dovo) needed a hone because the strop just wasn't cutting it. I wound up putting it aside, and just never picked it up again.

For whatever reason, a couple of weeks ago I got the bug again. I decided to buy a set of Norton hones, and after watching countless videos, I gave it a go. My second 'first shave' was a little rough, but this time I had the benefit of a lot of great advice from this forum. I decided about halfway through that my hone wasn't quite shave-ready, so I finished up with my cartridge thingy and re-honed. The next day, I tried again - got all the way through a shave, though it didn't feel as comfortable as I remembered my best shaves feeling.

So, I decided to try a professionally-honed razor. I bought a sight-unseen razor from whippeddog.com, and it was the longest five days of my life waiting for it! When it arrived, I had a few days' growth to get rid of. I was shaving within the hour :) It wasn't perfect, but I was confident enough in the quality of the edge that I did a couple days' shaves with it (even removed a 2-year goatee in the process!) and it's now clear to me that it was largely that I needed to get my technique back. After three days in a row of shaves, I'm not getting much in the way of razor burn at all (largely, I think, thanks to all the advice about blade angle that I'm *finally* taking). I'm not getting super close shaves, but they're solid, and my face is comfortable enough to do it day after day, which I've never really been great at - I have a pretty heavy beard.

I shaved this morning, and just a few minutes ago I decided to look at the edge I honed vs. the one on my "new" razor - and mine looked pretty good. So, I did something I've almost never done before - I shaved a second time today! (yes, I'm a little obsessed). I'm happy to report that while it's probably (hopefully!) not the best edge I'll ever hone, it was comfortable to shave with. Yes! It feels like such an accomplishment! Next, I'll tackle a couple vintage blades I got off ebay... :) :) :)

Thanks to everyone here for all your great advice and support - I couldn't have done it without you!

+jeff

G'Day Jeff.
Glad to have you back.
Good to see things are getting better for you
Hang on and enjoy the ride

Sometimes a break is all that is needed to get you back on track. Since this is a hobby and not a necessity (any type of razor can be used to scrape hair off your face if need be) enjoyment is paramount when using a straight razor IMO. If you aren't enjoying yourself anymore I agree, it's time to step back and wait for the bug to bite you again. Glad to hear you're back in the game and remember it only gets better with practice :)