Hi Guys,

I switched to a straght from DE a couple of weeks ago. I got a low-end Dovo SS 5/8 razor, 0.5 u diamond paste for one of my leather strops, and dove in.

The edge looked pretty bad under my microscope, so I pasted the strop and went to sharpening. After finishing with linen and bare leather on another strop, I could take slices from hairs on my arm. I'm not exactly sure what a "hanging hair test" is, but I canpop an arm hair in half by pushing the blade against it.

I shaved, which went alright, and then went for 20 passes on the linen followed by 50 on the leather. Back to hair popping sharpness. About 3 shaves later I had to hit the paste again.

My beard is pretty heavy, but I am only getting about 3 shaves before having to go to the paste. There is no wire edge -- I keep tabs with a 20x loupe and a microscope. The edge looks pretty rounded.

I suspect either I am using the razor in a manner that destroys the edge (most likely) or that the razor is too weak for my beard. I couldn't find anything searching, but I would assume this question has been asked before.

Any advice?

Scott

P.S. I have plans to buy a DMT (for lapping) and an 18k or 30k Shapton for future honing.