Thread: I'm doing EVERYTHING wrong. Please help.

You're biting off way more than you can chew in the beginning!
You just need to go back to the basics.
Get the razor honed by a pro.
Strop slowly.
Learn to build your lather.

Buy a second Razor that is honed by a pro so that you can compare what it should feel like when the first razor needs to be touched up.
Only change products when you have perfected the current products in use.

Your post reads like you dismantled your cars engine only to find you needed to change the battery in your smart key

Originally Posted by Scareface

...Buy a second Razor that is honed by a pro so that you can compare what it should feel like when the first razor needs to be touched up...

+1 to the second razor option. Degregation of an edge happens so slowly at times you'll possibly not notice you're shaving with an edge as sharp as a spoon until you end up looking like this...

If I were you, I'd visit a senior member nearby and let him assess your razor and technique.
There's a lot of things that can go wrong!

Another option, although maybe not as popular, would be to get a shavette or DE to start with and then after that has been mastered come back to straights. That way you eliminate stropping, honing, and many other variables and can focus on creating lather and techniques with guaranteed sharp blades. Then add some variables in later? This is how I started years ago and then a couple years back transitioned to a pro honed straight and then worked out the honing aspect. A lot of people have reported difficulties adjusting technique to a true straight but I didn't have any problems personally. There is a great shavette section on the forum here.

Just another option.

Don't give up...your not doing everything wrong. Your just not doing a few things as well as you should be for just starting out. They add up is all. Just keep at it and start small. Shave small sections at a time.
I would say don't worry about honing for now. Concentrate on shaving for now. You cant rush time and experience. Also by the way just send out your razors to be honed, its well worth the service. Also buy a used vintage already shave ready off this site so you have 2 razors. One to shave with the other out to be honed. Small steps best of luck