1000 straight questions...

One tip I found to be useful when I was starting out was: Instead of focusing on 30 degrees or whatever, use multiples of the spine width........2 spine widths for the WTG, 1 for the XTG and less than 1 for the ATG.

As usual, these are just guidelines and need to be adjusted as you figure out techniques that work for you.

Another thing: When you finally think you have it down, get a freshly-honed razor from a trusted professional and use it without stropping. You may be surprised to find that for all the skill you've developed, you may still have messed up the edge.

Thanks Timwcic and yohannrjm! I tried shifting the angle this morning but primarily what I did was change the WTG angle. It had been too shallow and, honestly, I was hesitant to go to a 30 degree angle. But, for the most part, it was a relatively smooth pass. I look forward to playing with the angles more and trying to "tighten up" my technique.

I got the Dovo Gentleman with the Yew Wood scales. I believe it's the Dovo model 121. I travel quite a bit for work. So I figured the strop from whipped dog would make for a great travel strop as well.

I think the Gentleman has great artwork - I really like that one.

I had my first shave with the straight today. One WTG pass with the the Dovo and one ATG with a Gillette Fat Haddle Tech. I do have a full goatee so some of the harder area's are not an issue. All and all I think it went pretty good. The biggest question I have is how the hell do you see yourself in the mirror? I of course had that issue with the shavette as well. I'm assuming I just need to get use to contorting my head around to see.

I'm assuming I just need to get use to contorting my head around to see.

Thats the trick for me. It is something that will get easier in time

+1 on what Timwcic said.

Also, there is nothing wrong with starting the shave with a straight and finishing with the razor you were using before. I've always liked the strategy of shaving the easy areas, like the cheeks, with the straight and finishing with a safety razor, expanding the areas used by the straight as your skill grows.

Shave two went well today. Instead of placing two fingers on the shank I only used one. It felt more comfortable and like I had better control. It also helped with seeing what I was doing. I did notice that after today's and yesterday's shaves my skin felt dry and a little leathery. Other than adding the razor I have not changed anything with my routine. Is it fair to say that is because I need to improve my technique or is it just more common with using a straight?

The dry skin is most likely due to your technique. Don't worry though, it takes time and you are off to a great start.

Two suggestions:

1. Put a quality moisturizing lotion or after shave balm on your face after shaving.

2. You are likely pressing too hard with the straight razor. Try to remember to shave only the lather and let the whiskers take care of themselves. For a lot of folks, they aren't getting that many whiskers off in the beginning and tend to press harder. Doing this can seem like it helps, though it doesn't really. It takes most folks about 4 months to get the hang of it.

Make sure to do good pre-shave prep. when shaving, focus as much as you can on a light touch while having the blade at the right angle.

I'm happy to jump on a Skype or Facetime call if you begin feeling frustrated. Having said that, it sounds like things are going very well.

I don't know why you would experience dry skin resulting from a specific razor type. There has been good advice given thus far. Experiment with angle and pressure, what works for you will come clear with experience/time. Starting out, a light touch will be beneficial.

Enjoy the process and don't get in a hurry.

I took a couple of days off from using the straight but I jumped back on that horse today. It had nothing to due with the razor, life was just a bit to hectic the last few days. This morning I was very mindful of the "too much pressure" comments I got. When I sat and thought about it I realized I was "white knuckling" the razor. This of course I'm sure is because I was not fully comfortable with it and I took the phrase "use a firm grip" a bit too far. Once I relaxed my grip the razor seemed to glide a lot better. This was by far the best shave I've had so far.

dabearis Steve, First, I don't use a straight for every shave. Sometimes I don't have time. When I was learning to use a straight, using a safety razor for a day or two allowed my skin to get back to its like new appearance.

Next, the other day, some of my skin felt dry after shaving with a straight. I took some time to analyze why. First, shaving with a straight requires a lot of concentration. I have ADHD and my mind wanders easily. I have to really, really focus on using the lightest of light touches as my norm is to press too hard.

Next, there are whiskers in places on my face that stubbornly refuse to be sheared by the straight. I went back over those places too many times. Consider this. Our whiskers are very tough and our skin is very fragile relative to the whisker. It's important to go over a specific area the least amount of times necessary to get a good shave. With a straight, I can feel and hear whiskers being cut. If whiskers aren't being cut, that area is done. Even though I prefer not to do so, I should have used a safety razor to get those completely stubborn whiskers. My goal should be to get a close, comfortable shave rather than using the straight to the bitter end.

Next, the enemy of the Close-Comfortable Shave is striving for the Baby Butt Shave. While I know this, going for the Baby Butt calls to me. I have a coarse beard, which makes shaving without irritation more difficult. The time may come when I can get the perfect shave with a straight, though it hasn't occurred yet.

So, I'm striving to keep focus, use the lightest of light touches and keep the blade at the correct angle, which is 30 degrees or roughly two spine widths of the spine. There are places on my face, like around my nose, where I use a shallower angle. The shallow angle won't get as close, but is less likely to cause a nick or irritation.