Sometimes I use straight rubbing alcohol after a shave just to see where my honing is at. No burn=good honing, some burn=almost there, feels like fire ants attacking my face followed by bright red patches=back to the hones. If that happens I usually follow the rubbing alcohol with a witchazel wash and then some alcohol based aftershave with menthol (like Aqua Velva blue ice) to punish myself so I don't make that mistake again. That's just me and what I like though.