Brand New Razor, Worst Shave ever!

[razornoobie]

For Christmas I received my first straight razor (a Thiers-Issard 5/8 Carbon Blade).

The product packaging said it was ready to use out of the box...but I tried and it wouldn't cut my whiskers worth a damn!

So, I sent it off to www.classicshavings.com "professional straight razor sharpening service" and just received it back today.

I just gave it another try fresh from the sharpening service and while I could cut some whiskers, it felt like it was "snagging" and needing to be pushed through the hair (yanked out little by little). I read on your Stickies that Lynn Abrams (classicshaving.com honemiester) is a pro..but it's not cutting through my whiskers!

On the upside, I haven't cut myself a single time, on the downside that almost makes me think that the razor sharpening service maybe didn't get it sharp enough?

I've watched dozens of youtube shaving videos, and read every online "straight razor" tutortial google has on the first page!

I guess I need a personal opinion on what I could be doing wrong! My beard is pretty tough (but I trimmed it down to stubble with an electric buzzer before starting), but after my face was too sore from the tugging of my straight razor, I pulled out by Mach3 Turbo (the one that vibrates) and didn't feel a thing -- and it was even a razor cartridge 3-4 shaves old.

What gives?

Any insight would be helpful.

As a side note, I haven't yet stropped the razor. I was hoping it would come back from the sharpening service ready-to-use so I could find out if I like straight razor shaving before investing in even more gear (as if a $200 razor wasn't enough). Is basic stropping what's _absolutely_ ruining my shave, or is something else awry?

Thanks!

RN


p.s.s. I use a badger hair brush & Art of Shaving un-scented shaving cream, and Art of Shaving after-shave balm.