I just (really and finally) started shaving with a str8 week ago or so, and found out that the first few shaves were horrible, although I used pre-honed razors from Lynn and str8_razr (Andrew). Indeed, my face was red all over. I didn't get any bad nicks, though. The razor didn't seem to slide well enough on my heavy beard and I imagine shaving against the grain is still impossible at places. It also gave me kind of a dissatisfying feeling when the razor passed over the whiskers on the sides of my chin. I could say it hurted a bit.

My stropping couldn't have been so bad since the razors still pass the hanging hair test after a week of use. I can clearly feel them becoming sharper after stropping.

Now, after the first few days, the shaves have started gradually get better. It's quite amazing how things have changed and how my skin has adapted itself on the razor. In fact, last night I had a superb shave with almost no irritation whatsoever and only a small nick on my chin, healed with cold water.

I have still much to learn on this: shaving my chin, shaving against the grain, etc., but there's no turning back now, as the sensation of shaving with a str8 is just so great.

BTW, I've used 5/8 and 6/8 full hollows. I ordered a 6/8 wedge from Andrew few days ago and gonna try how it does the job.