A gentleman well lathered is half shaved. Or something. Well, you get the point. Lather WELL, use hot towels, lather second time, just soak them whiskers. You will get good shave on well prepared face even with not so sharp razor. I strongly suggest that you dont go across or against the grain for the first 10 or so shaves, untill your skin gets used to the real razor treatment. And do get a shavette or feather. That will train your hand motion for a real razor.

I am a beginer myself, and trying to get my (stainlesssteel) razor shave ready. I must say that the stropping makes a lot of diference. Take the time and practice your stroping motion, cause you wont be able to shave without it. I thougt that my foult was my honing, but it was my stroping technique.

The real razor do require more pressure than a DE, at least my razor in present condition, but i still manage to get great shave. Even if you feel a little drag, it is no problem for your face, it will burn a lot less than the same drag from the M3.

For your aftershave, dont go with the classics like Dominica BayRum, or anything with alcohol in it, at least your face is use to the str8. Select something with moiturising properties. I have used Nivea balm, and it is good product. I now use my homemade lotion made from aloe, chamomile, almond oil and honey.

That is it from my not long expirience with a str8 rzr.