Quote Originally Posted by Gothamitic View Post
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I'm thinking of a few explainations for what I'm experiencing:
1. That's how it's supposed to be (which I think is unlikely).
2. My technique needs improvement so the edge will last the duration of the shave.
3. My razor is overhoned and the edge is too malleable.
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Hi

Let me try to give you some more info:
1. It's not *supposed* to be like this, but there are some members with more experience than you and on SOME (maybe even MANY, but not ALL) razors they have to strop between passes - I guess they may have really extra-coarse beards. I have had to strop between passes sometimes too - no biggie. What is your razor, btw?

2. Bad technique can certainly dull the edge in use. Depending on the angle you may be scraping more than cutting, which would also be a problem for your skin, most likely

3. If it's overhoned you'd feel like cats are scratching you (not that I have been scratched by cats ) so I don't think this is it. And, moreover, once the overhoned edge disintegrates unevenly I really doubt you'd be able to start the shave comfortably with just stropping. The overhoned edge needs to be fixed by say backhoning to remove stuff and even it out, and then a few strokes on a hone to bring to shave-sharp again

Most likely, in my opinion, is that your edge may indeed be soft, and also not quite honed to its potential (a bit dull) - so you have to coax it all the time. If you hone - try 10 passes on the finest stone you have, or maybe diamond paste

Good luck and keep us posted
Ivo