Today I had my 12th straight shave and thanks to the advice here, they're just getting better...and easier! 
I know I've still got a fair way to go, but I think I've reached a milestone...a SAS (Socially Acceptable Shave) that won't need a touch up from a DE
I've got a few rough patches: under my jawline towards my right ear, the crease below my bottom lip and the center of my filtrum. I might have been able to finish up below my jaw but I thought I'd stop after 3 passes! Better yet, absolutely no nicks or cuts...although I had a very close call on the point of my chin with the last W-E XTG!
I'm still just using the one razor, French 4/8 round, despite having a selection of straights calling out to be honed!
My technique still needs a lot of work...nearly 40 minutes, start to finish is probably a bit excessive
I think my stropping is improving, I'm getting a bit faster and more confident...which probably explains the nick on the strop as I was finishing! Fortunately, it's a clean cut, on the edge, near the top.
The biggest change in my routine was shaving 2 days in a row, before today I've left an extra day's growth before getting the straight out. Shaving a single day's growth from my chin (particularly course there) was much more straightforward
I have given the French a quick "touch up" on a Chinese 12k, 20 with slurry, 20 with just water and 10 dry. I think this might have made up for some of my earlier attempts at stropping!
Again, thanks to you all for the advice (direct and in other gents' threads) and encouragement
I know I've still got a fair way to go, but I think I've reached a milestone...a SAS (Socially Acceptable Shave) that won't need a touch up from a DE
I've got a few rough patches: under my jawline towards my right ear, the crease below my bottom lip and the center of my filtrum. I might have been able to finish up below my jaw but I thought I'd stop after 3 passes! Better yet, absolutely no nicks or cuts...although I had a very close call on the point of my chin with the last W-E XTG!
I'm still just using the one razor, French 4/8 round, despite having a selection of straights calling out to be honed!
My technique still needs a lot of work...nearly 40 minutes, start to finish is probably a bit excessive
I think my stropping is improving, I'm getting a bit faster and more confident...which probably explains the nick on the strop as I was finishing!
Fortunately, it's a clean cut, on the edge, near the top.The biggest change in my routine was shaving 2 days in a row, before today I've left an extra day's growth before getting the straight out. Shaving a single day's growth from my chin (particularly course there) was much more straightforward
I have given the French a quick "touch up" on a Chinese 12k, 20 with slurry, 20 with just water and 10 dry. I think this might have made up for some of my earlier attempts at stropping!
Again, thanks to you all for the advice (direct and in other gents' threads) and encouragement
