1) Walmart has a thing called "Shave Secret" which is clove oil and some other stuff, comes in a small (1 oz?) bottle. After I wash my skull I put about 10 drops of Secret in my hands and rub them together and then massage my skull with it. Do this while the skull is still wet. Then I put whatever shaving cream I happen to be using right over it. I tend to favor Head Slick or some of the Edge gels.2) I go front to back on the top and sides and back to front on the back. Basically it's just going against the grain. After the initial shave I run my hand over my head and feel where there is stubble and I go against the grain in those spots as well.3) I usually watch the lube strips. Once they start to appear worn I change the cartridge. Better that than blood letting. In the event of a cut a styptic pencil burns like hell but it does stop the bleeding. Also, did you know that the original HB is made for cartridges that fit, I believe, the Atra razor? They also make an adaptor that takes Sensor-type carts. My fave is the Sensor Excel but there are some other brands, like Personna triples, that fit, too. I don't have real good blood retention with the HBs for some reason.Point being that there are other, less expensive, carts out there and there will inevitably be the one that you find to be just right.4) I use a mixture that I make myself as an aftershave. I get a bottle of Dickinson's Witch Hazel and mix in a good portion of Aloe Vera gel, enough to thicken it just a bit. Then I drip in about 20 drops of Tea Tree Oil, I always get the real oil and not just a fragrance. Health food/vitamin stores (GNC, etc) carry the oil. Shake it before every use as there is always some separation of the ingredients.
Timmj............ actually having serious, and correct, answers for once.........