I started using a straight razor a few weeks ago and bought a few hones and learned to do that as well. I started with a Gold Dollar razor from ebay.

I just had my best shave yet yesterday by the way.

Since I didn't have anything else to compare my work to I decided to order a used shave ready razor from Whipped Dog.

It arrived today (as did several other items). It's only a little bit sharper than my honing job so I'm glad that mine is close and also glad that there is a little room for improvement as well!

Unfortunately if arrived with a crack by the pivot fin and the scales came off shortly thereafter. I still shaved with it without scales.

I had planned on making some scales for the GD razor so now I'll just start with the WD razor first.

I'm starting in on hand-polishing the blade and then I start the process of making scales. I have the raw materials for that now (pins and washers arrived today) and the black walnut blanks arrived a few days ago. My next attempt will use more colorful and figured wood.

My box of 100 Astras and a Gillette Super Adjustable (Black Beauty) DE with long handle arrived today as well.

After shaving with the WD blade I finished up with the Black Beauty. I had no trouble shaving with that. I'm sure all my practice with a straight razor helped since I knew to do multiple passes and to always keep my skin lathered.

I also knew to let the weight of the head be the only pressure used. Yesterday my 12 pack of Van Der Hagen shaving soap arrived.

So the next project will be learning the in's and out's of hand polishing carbon steel. I'm not using any hand tools on this. So far I used some micro film that I had laying around. I also have 1k and 2k wet/dry sandpaper and green chromium oxide "crayons".

I tried a little "Goof Off" on the tang and it got a little off but I think the rest will require time, sandpaper and elbow grease.

At least now I don't have to question my honing skills and my shaving technique has improved at lot lately by keeping the angle narrow.

Most of the other things that I see people worrying about (stropping technique and lathering) are minor in my opinion. They are issues only if you really aren't doing them correctly.

Otherwise, if you are having some issues I think it's generally due to other reasons.

I'm now officially out of the cartridge business. Backup will now be using a DE. I got a fixed angle (non-adjustable) Gillette chrome plated model yesterday which I haven't used yet along with the adjustable "Black Beauty". Both of these are nice looking DE razors.

One has a long handle and one has a short handle. I sanitized both upon arrival.

The only other items I have on order are one bar of Sandalwood shaving soap and another straight razor (Union Cutlery's Spike). I might get one of the Torrey models at some point and then I'm good except for learning more about how to use them, hone them and possibly rescale them.

I think I've done pretty well in the two or three weeks that I've been interested in wet shaving!

Now I'm ready to unload all my expert advice and opinions.