Did I do somthing wrong??

I'm on my tenth or eleventh straight razor shave with a shave ready razor bought from Cutz. Up until this point it has worked well. However, the past 2 shaves I have had more irritation and significant pulling. Is this just the razor dulling over the shaves, or have I done somthing wrong. I am very carful not to use any presure when stropping, I have not tried to hone this razor, and my technique has changed very little (carful about angle, direction, etc.). I think that the razor is just slowly getting dull, but I thought it would take longer to dull than this. I do have very thick individual hair, but my beard is not very thick.

If there is anything else I should be concerned with in my technique, let me know.

Thanks in advance for the help!

I know many will chime in with their experiences. I know many say they can shave with the same razor for months at a time but personally I find between 10-15 shaves and then it requires a touch up on the hone. It will still shave but the comfort factor begins to deteriorate. There are some razors that are tough as nails and last longer. My maestro went 30 shaves before it needed honing and my TI Damascus has logged over 50 shaves and is still going strong but those are exceptions.

Yep, also The number of round trips you take on the strop. Some members strop as little as 20 times. I have been using nothing but vintage blades and strop exactly 60 times on each side. Unless I get a blade from Billy's Blades or if I ever get a shave ready razor from a SRP member, I always hone before using. My 2 cents.
Ernest

Usually, you can get around 2 months on a honed razor before needing a touch up. Sometimes with new people, it could be stropping, even if being careful, the way you shave or a bunch of other stuff. No problem though to just touch up the razor and refresh it back to where you like it. No set rules and alot of personal preference and different techniques.

Lynn

For this type of touch-up couldn't he use .5 micron paste to keep the blade fresh, or does it need to go to the hone?

A Pyramid starting with 5-5 and 60 laps on my strop got it up and running. Didn't even need to go to a pasted strop or finishing stone (pasted strop on the way right now).

My first touch up... :D :y :nj