Gents,

I have been shaving with straights for about 4 months, and DE's for about 7, and tonight nothing went right with a vintage Solingen straight for me. If I'm shaving with a SR I typically do it at night, after stropping, then take a fairly relaxed shower where I wash my face several times. After that I use Proraso pre-shave cream and leave it in while I lather up.

Tonight However, I decided to forgo the shower, and use a similar routine just in the sink. I even lathered my face and left it on for a while before rinsing and using the preshave, then lathered again. I was using a well known, well liked, and reputable glycerin shave soap. I got about 2/3rds the way through my first pass and just had to stop. I couldn't dial in the lather, and the razor was catching quite a bit.

Now I know enough at this point that technique is a huge part of shaving this way, but does anyone else just have an "off" day? I ended up finishing the failed pass with a Gillette superspeed and then doing one more with it, leaving the bathroom rather frustrated.

surely I can't be the only one... Did I doom myself by not using my usual routine?