Hi all.

I've been at this for a few months with a full shave every three days or so. Starting to get the hang of the shave, but not do sure about my strop technique, or may procedure.

I strop with a very light touch, 50 laps, x-stroke, pre-shave. I typically make it through the first wtg pass with no issues, but things start to get grabby on the xtg pass. I stop and strop another 50 laps and proceed. Then repeat again before the atg pass.

I suspect it is one of three things that is giving me fits, one of which I've all but ruled out. A) poor strop technique, B) beard of steel, C) problem with steel of razor. C) is the one I've almost ruled out. I thought perhaps I had razors with poor quality steel/ruined temper/or sub-par bevel. However, I'm getting the same issues with all three of the razors I'm using which were allegedly (and I have no reason to doubt it) shave-ready.

Not much I can do about my tenacious beard except to condition it, which I've been doing.

That leaves me with my technique or duration there of. I would really like to get this nailed soon, as I'm on the SRP LE razor list and it's due towards the end of this month or beginning of the next. I would hate fubar this gorgeous razor that I've been patiently anticipating.

I don't know if I'm not making enough laps, using too much pressure, or what. I keep the spine on the strop at all times, even for the flip roll and the end of the stroke. I *try* to keep the pressure at a minimum, using only the weight of the blade, but this is difficult to discern.

I tried doing more laps today pre-shave (100) and things were going well and progressed through the 1st pass and was rocking along through the second pass when I experienced a little cut. Well, a little cut that I didn't blame on me. Already had nicked the nostril, the cut the cheek. So I figured I would add a little lather and noticed a very nice slice at the jaw bone I didn't even know was there.

So, any particular tips I might try that I'm missing. Any feedback is appreciated.

Thank you!

Spencer