wow, you guys are swift in the response department. thanks for all the advice.

here is my razor
Gun Metal Titanium Straight Razor
hopefully it is not a piece of junk.
I do not have a strop yet, but ordered this one:
Razor Strops, Hones, and Accessories
and i have a hone which i purchased from the same store which "sharpened" my blade.

the store is called leavitt and pierce in Cambridge MA. they are more of a smoke shop than a straight razor shop but they do have a modest shaving section (like a gentleman's store).

I just tried the hanging hair technique and either i have no idea how to do it or the thing is way too dull. I first tried to swiftly move the hair into the blade (without the blade moving) and could not get it to cut, then i tried swiftly moving the blade at the hair, also would not cut. I had to hold the hair on its ends and move it downward over the blade (the blade in between the two ends) and push down before the thing would cut.....

So thanks for the advice, i am going to find someone on this forum to re-sharpen it. I think if i KNEW the dang thing was sharp then it would be easier to perfect my technique.

Anyone else have a "professional" sharpen your blade so poorly?

-G