So on Sunday, I decided my skill had improved and I was going for a full 3 pass shave. I tried not to say BBS, but I knew I was gunning for it. I stretched with all my might and really concentrated on a smooth slicing stroke (no other way to get a clean shave on this face). On my second pass (XTG) I notice that I was leaving very smooth almost dry skin behind. My lather was plenty wet, so I assumed I was finally seeing the results of good technique. I know think that was a sight that I was using too much pressure. By the time I tried the ATG pass, I was feeling a little burn, but not anything that I didin't think coudl be handle by a little WH and some Clinique PS Healer (great stuff!).

I did get the smoothest straight razor shave I've had to date; probably 95% BBS. But about 15 minutes into church I couldn't concentrate on the sermon because my face was on fire. It was smooth but HOT. I went to bed Sunday evening with a still slightly burning face.

Monday, I shaved with the old Gilette Fusion, my rusting can of Edge gel, and extra light pressure. I got a close, relatively irritaiton free shave, but an hour later my skin was dry and the stubble was hard.

Determined not to give up, today I decided to do one pass with very light pressure. That pass resulted in no irritation, but a crappy shave. So, I did an XTG pass, again focusing more on controlling irritation than cutting whiskers. Then a little touch up on the chin with the Gillette (sorry, had to be done).

My shave was mediocre, but I have NO irritation and no dry skin. I think I took a big step on the learning curve this week. I discovered that when I try to shave closely, I increase both angle and pressure. This is not good. I have to remember that the first pass is not supposed to be BBS. The second might not be either.

So now I sit here at nearly 4:00 PM with a less than perfect shave, but one that is as smooth as a full Gillette shave would be at this time (slower grow-back with the straight razor) and my face feels great!

I'm getting there. One small stroke at a time.

--David