To check if the blade is sharp enough, see if it will shave arm hair when held about 1/4 inch above the skin-- you should hear little "pinging" sounds and see the buggers fall down. If the blade does that, then it is probably your technique or prep. If not, it was either not honed very well or you rolled the edge when you stropped it.

Note on stropping, it is ok to use a little pressure, but you must keep the strop tight and *never* lift the spine... which is what rolls the edge.

If you send it to be rehoned, when you get it back don't strop on your first shave-- that way you'll know if it was you...

-Chief