I feel like I've been getting better. Slowly but surely, every shave was getting better. It would still take a few passes to get close to BBS with my razor though. Then today, I used my freshly honed Dovo Special, worked over by Shooter. This was my first blade, and it was most definitely NOT shave ready when I got it. With shooter's help, that was fixed. And BOY what a difference! Now I'm thinking that my Ralf Aust that I got from SRD isn't up to par. Or they just aren't as good at holding an edge. One or the other. Either way, MUCH easier this time! The Dovo cut almost BBS on first pass WTG on a weeks worth of growth, and just needed one more pass ATG to get BBS. My neck still does not agree with multiple passes but at least I got it relatively smooth without too much razor burn. Even with a full week of growth, it pulled a little blood from my neck. I have always gotten that, which was one reason I switched to straights in the first place, but at least this is not nearly as bad as before. So that leaves me with a little improvement. Not complaining that much. Next step is figuring out how to cut down on that irritation and scraping off the skin. I've always had the problem, usually after one pass with a M3 or now two passes with a straight. I can handle a single pass with the straight, it doesn't leave that much to see. I would love to see what anyone else has to say about possibilities. cheeks, lip (upper and lower), jaw line... all BBS. neck? stubbly but any closer and i'll bleed out.

Anyways. I guess the TL;DR is can Ralf Aust blades be honed as sharp as Dovo Special? and any tips on dealing with neck burn?

Using AoS pre oil and balm. VDH soap. Dovo Special, fresh from hone, not stropped.