Thread: What am I doing wrong?

Newbie here (please don't hate me). After several years using a safety razor, I just purchased my first straight razor, a new Boker Classic 5/8", along with a Fromm strop. I've been reading a lot of introductory material on this site and elsewhere, so I feel like I'm in a good position to get started. I've tried shaving with the straight a couple of times now, but I'm having a major problem: the razor is not cutting my stubble. I'm using the recommended angle (roughly 30) and I believe I'm applying the correct amount of pressure, so my only guess is that the blade is not properly sharpened. I've tried stropping it, but it hasn't helped. I understand that razors rarely come in a "shave-ready" state, but I'm not sure what to do next. Any advice or recommendations would be much appreciated. I'm guessing this must be a fairly common question for newbies like me.

Yep Real Common Here,, My Guess Would Be Not Shave Ready,, You Put Your Location In & Thats A Great Start,, Locals Will Chime In By Days End With All The Help You Need ,, Good Luck,, Glad To Have Ya On The Forum,,, Ty

I'm in Lewisburg, PA.
Thanks!

B8t of a new guy myself but id say, buy another razor off the forum here so you know its shave ready. Use it while sending the other to one of the honemiesters here on the forum.
But what do i know.

Depending on where you got the razor, it might not be shave ready. Almost always, the factory edge is not really ready

Keep your angle very low, your skin taught and the razor should slip the whiskers off with the lather, no pressure required. If you have the angle too steep it will scrape and not cut. With the razor almost flat, the spine about to or three thicknesses above your skin, all should be good. Check and see if there is anyone in your area that has some experience and can check your edge.

Its either razor or technique so was the razor truly shave ready. Where did you buy from. Sending it out for a pro honing eliminates the razor and its either technique or stropping after that. If you shave before stropping when you get it back it will give you a baseline. If it drops off after that it is likely stropping.

That 30 degree suggestion is rarely right. Try having the spine almost touching your cheek. That lower angle may make a big difference if the edge is decent.

Where did you buy the razor? Some vendors will hone razors before sending them out but most don't. We used to have a member services section on this site but it's gone away for some reason. Send me a PM if you'd like some help getting it shave ready.

I have the same issue! Had to go back to the shavette (from my new 'shave ready' TI) this morning as it felt like i was tearing the hair off, Ive been stropping carefully and correctly but it makes no difference. Luckily my local barber is hosting a 'sharpening and honing workshop' next week so hopefully will get the edge tidied up.