This morning was my first shave with my shavette, and it went pretty well. No nicks or cuts, and I got as close as I usually get with a Bic razor. I did develop a couple of questions regarding prep though.

1. My shaving soap didn't lather like I expected it to. I'm using Van Der Hagen soap. It had the consistancy of a regular bar of bath soap. Is this normal?

2. After I would put the shave soap on my face, it would dry, which would cause the razor to not glide like it would when it was wet. I read that pre-shave oil helps with the dryness/gliding. Would a regular vitamin E skin oil work, or does it need to be a Art of Shaving style "pre-shave oil?"

Thank you,
Ben