Initial Straight Shave successfully complete

Overall, I'm pleased and this is just the start of a new shaving venture. Both of my current straights need a bit of work and C FrankC was kind enough to let me borrow his Harthy. I am currently sporting a chinstrap beard that I thought would be helpful and help me by concentrating on my cheeks and neck. While my cheeks are smooth, my neck is decent. The beard my have been more of a hindrance than it was helpful. It really limited the space to use and was a bit more tough with he longer blade that a straight has versus a DE. I did get a small slice on my right cheekbone and knew I did it right away. That happened at the beginning of the shave and the rest of the experience went very smooth for a first time. So, I've definitely learned to respect the steel to say the least. Big thanks to C FrankC for all the information he provided me with yesterday and for the use of his great Harthy. Thanks again Frank!

Congratulations on your shave! It sounds like you are off to a strong start, enjoy.

That fact that I'm not reading worlds like awkward, blood, irritation, deep cut, blood, nicks, styptic pencil etc.... all speaks to a successful shave, especially when you're having to do edging!

Congrats on a successful shave!

Congrats!

Sounds like you are off to a great start, just ease into it a little at a time. The shaves will just get better as your skill increases.
Practice and patience are the watchwords for progress, keep us posted on your journey.

I too sport a chinstrap with a goatee. If it helps, what I do is I do a first pass WTG right side cheek then neck, leaving space around my lines, then my left side. Then I use a wet finger to rub out and thin the lather around my left strap and goatee and do my edge work. I then line up my lower edge of my left strap, then repeat on my right side. Now with all the edge work done, I can proceed with my second pass.