Just thought I'd post a little update from a first timer.

"Santa" brought me a kit from Tony Miller (thanks to all for the recommendations and info found here). So of course I had to try it out Christmas morning. I was a little nervous, but luckily, I think all the research I did here beforehand paid off (I had nothing better to do - the wife made me wait until Christmas to open it, even though it was here for two weeks!). The first shave went very well, not super close, but I was mainly just going through the motions to see how it felt. The toughest area was the neck (I sport a goatee, so I was spared any lip/chin issues). There might have been one tiny nick, but didn't even need the styptic, cold water closed it up. I'll agree with what a few others have said, the left hand actually turned out very well, possibly because I was so carefull with it and used very little pressure.

I've had three more shaves since then, and each one seems to be getting better technique-wise. I haven't even opened the pasted paddle yet, I'm hoping that the hanging strop will keep me going for a while. I've been doing 40 passes on each side, and that seems to be working well so far.

The only issue I have is the dry Nevada air makes it difficult to keep a wet face during the shave (of course, I'm taking quite a while right now, too). I find that I shave half of my face, then re-wet the left side and re-lather. That seems to help. I'm also going to give some different soaps and cremes a try to see if that helps.

Anyway, so far so good. Here's to many more pleasant shaves!