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no need to reapply the pastes until they're all black and aren't sharpening anymore. A few drops should last you months before you need to reapply. Just wipe the blade off whenever you switch...

Congratulations on your successful first shave; any first shave that you survive with only minor wounds should be considered successful, actually shaving hair is a nice bonus :-)

As for sharpness,...

Yup, for pasted paddles move the razor with the edge trailing.