Hi - I've been reading through the forums, checking online for tutorials, and brushing up on the how-to's of straight shaving for about a month now. I'm very excited to get started, and am thoroughly fed up with disposable crap.

After much deliberation, I placed a large order with Ray at classicshaving.com (he approved of the items for a beginner); and was very pleased with what I received... and today was the day I gave it a shot - and as expected, I've got a lot to work on!

I understand this is a bona fide SKILL, and I am SKILLLESS with a straight razor as of this point - so I'm not giving up!

First off - I simply don't know if my blade is sharp enough. I ordered a brand new Dovo silver steel, but I have no knowledge upon which to gauge. Prior to shaving I applied 1 micron and .5 diamond pace to either side of my paddle strop, and went 20 round trips on each side. Of course, washed my hands and the blade between sides. Afterwards, I followed up with 50 round trips on my hanging strop. For a new blade, I am under the assumption that this should have been enough?

I fully prepped with a hot shower, hot toweled my face for several minutes, applied a proraso preshave cream, and proceeded to lather up patiently with my new badger brush and classicshaving soap.

I started to shave with a north to south motion, first on my right cheek, following the grain of the hair... next to nothing was shaved. I pushed a little harder on the blade, the hair started to cut, but only a little. When I attempted a cross grain, or against the grain stroke, my skin simply started to hurt. I didn't cut myself, it was just a severe drag, and it was painful.

I didn't have much trouble on my neck... which was very exciting for me, because I've always had problems with shaving my neck with an electric or mach3 type blade. I have VERY sensitive skin, and many ingrown hairs from improper shaving - so, inevitably, while shaving over these bumps, I would get little nicks, and I dabbed them with the styptic pencil.

At the time, this didn't seem like a problem - but now I'm just not sure. I have huge red blotches all over my face, especially my neck (even though the shave was fairly good), and I'm not sure whether it's an allergic reaction to the styptic pencil, my face is simply not acclomated to the styptic, or I'm just doing something wrong with the blade and shaving all together.

I was careful to lather, and relather, and relather, and relather again! I didn't want to keep stroking the blade against dry skin... but after 3 or 4 times, I just decided to stop because I didn't want to keep running carbon steel over my raw skin. I cleaned up the stubble with a mach 3, carefully packed up all the gear... and let the stinging begin.

Any general tips you guys can offer? I'm NOT giving up. Thanks!