Newb - how is my shaving routine?

Since I'm awaiting the arrival of my first DOVO straight and strop, just wanna see how my routine is compared to others:

1. Take a hot shower --- while I shower, I fill my mug with hot water and place my badger brush inside to soak
2. Get out, dry my entire body except for my face and neck
3. Lather-up -- I take my brush out, and empty the mug -- I use William's Classic Mug Soap, and work up a nice lather. Once I'm done, I place the mug with the soap/lather in my sink full of hot water (the mug is just floating in the water, it isn't submerged -- this is a trick I use to keep the lather warm throughout the shave)
4. Apply lather to face and neck
5. Pass 1 - WTG
6. Re-lather
7. Pass 2 - WTG/XTG (depends how ballsy I'm feeling and how my 1st pass went)
8. Warm water rinse
9. Cold water rinse
10. Apply Nivea for Men After Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin (Extra Menthol)

When I receive my pre-honed DOVO, I MIGHT experiment with an ATG pass -- Most likely not, since I'm still not even 2 months into shaving with a straight.

I strop before I get into the shower and I don't use after shave or use a cold water splash. Otherwise pretty similar.

I also strop pre-shower, but our routines are almost identical. You're on the right track :tu

When you say pre-honed, you don’t mean factory honed do you? If so, you will want a pro to hone that blade before it touches your face, otherwise your last step may involve gauze compression bandages.

Lynn honed mine :)