I bought a H. Boker tree brand razor from a friend about 9-10 months ago. Besides using a disposable on my chin the first time I haven't used any other razor but my straight since. I bought a vintage hone in August of last year and have learned to use it well enough to where I can hold a hair in my fingers and cut it with one swipe (and a ting sound). Also I can now shave 95% of the time without cutting myself and without having to use my free hand to stretch the skin. A shaving method I have seen in many old movies where the actor is shaving themselves and the scene isn't trying to make them look manly or such.

I can shave to the point where it's almost baby smooth (after cold water rinse and 10mins after shaving where my face is post shave relaxed) and I still feel roughness that I didn't have when I used to shave with a mach (whatever it was 5 I think) and although I wasn't around (am 40yrs old at this writing in 2015) when the first Remington electric razor came out I remember seeing the retro revived comercial where buddy says "as sharp as a blade or your money back" and I have used a modern electric razor and it too shaved closer than I am able to with my straight. So either it's a case of mistaken memories or I am doing something wrong. In technique, sharpening, prep, other and or all of the above. Furthermore without actually going to an old school barber to have a straight shave (with one of those silly disposable straights) I won't have much of a yard stick to compare with. And btw my razor is hideously sharp I believe, and is capable of cutting skin with even the lightest of touches as I found out when rinsing off the collected soap in the bath once and tapped my leg by accident.

I know I suck at stropping because if I use my hone for a few strokes and forgo the strop my razor pulls exponentially less than if I strop after or only strop. I also only shave 2-3 times a week * which is more than enough time for my razor to straighten properly. Also I don't think it is over sharpened and or developed a wire edge as I feel no resistance when drawing a finger tip from spine to edge **. I believe I have covered everything if not I guess I'll find out.

Hopefully finding an answer to my problem

* I still can't grow a full beard at 40yrs old and my facial hair is slow to grow

** I can never remember what is perpendicular etc... so any answers need to be in terms like I just used or it will end up in a clarification question type response from myself