Sometimes it seems like I can use all the same stuff. Same pre-shave, soap,etc. and even with the same products (and razor) I get different shaves and my face feels different when I'm done. I'm one year new to straight shaving so I can't determine what makes the difference. :shrug:
Having said that, I like to rinse off the Noxema or rub it in real well because if I leave it on the surface of my skin it seems to gum up on the razor edge. This seems to make it feel like the razor isn't cutting. Then I rinse the blade under hot running water and I have to wipe some of the gunk off the very edge. When that is happening I normally add water to the brush and either mface lather or with the extra water whip some thinner lather. The goal is to dilute any remaining Noxema on my face. So when using Noxema I don't like any left on the surface of my shin when I shave. Did that make sense? Anyway, it's probably different ways to use the same products that result in different results when I shave.
Jack