I've been shaving semi-regularly with a straight razor for 2-3 weeks now, with mixed results. I get a decent shave on my cheeks, and lately have been doing ok with the neck as well. I have 2 problems though:
1. My skin gets fairly irritated, especially on the neck.
2. I'm completely unable to shave my chin. The razor just stops dead as soon as it hits those thicker hairs. If I use very short strokes I can scrape it away a little at a time, but it's very uncomfortable and would take all morning to do the whole chin this way.
This is my shaving routine:
1.Wipe face with a hot wash cloth (I don't shower beforehand).
2. Apply lather
3. Let the lather sit while I strop the razor
4. Apply some more lather, and make one pass with the grain
5. Wipe off with the wash cloth, lather again, and make another pass against the grain.
6. Dab on a little rubbing alcohol in lieu of aftershave.
7. Shave troublesome spots with an electric razor.
I'm getting a decent shave -- comparable to the electric, maybe a little bit better, which is good enough for me. I'm not that picky.
I don't shower before shaving because I ride my bike to work and shower when I get there.
My razor was bought off ebay, but sharpened at a local knife shop by a guy who uses a straight razor himself, so I assume it was honed at least reasonably well. He did mention that the razor might be a bit small for shaving a heavy beard, though.
I strop on the leather side of a DOVO paddle strop. I suspect my stropping technique may be at fault, but I'm not sure how to tell if I'm doing it right.
Any suggestions?