it seems to me that the best shaves I get are in fact with a sharp razor...trying to get too close of a shave with a razor that needs work almost always results in a nick, razor burn or both...I wish I had the facilities to work on my prep but alas, out here...aint quite the case...I've though about getting an electric tea water warmer to heat water for my prep but every time I go to the BX here, they're out...I think that me prep need the most attention now, more than the honing, stropping or actual shaving technique...we'll see...