No blood :-)

This was maybe my 15th-20th shave and it went pretty well.
Only problem is that no matter how much I hone and strop the straight pulls.
Can it be because my strong beard or should it go smooth if sharp enough no matter of beard toughness?

Sounds like it needs to be honed by a pro, please check the classifieds and welcome to SRP.

I have a fairly tough beard and the razors edge is definately a part of it, but not the be all and end all..!

Its really a mix of a shave ready razor, good stropping, beard preparation and technique. You need all of these elements to get a truly good shave..!

Dont sit there and blast the razor to bits on the hones, as you risk getting an overhoned edge.

Its a very common thing when you first start to not get a good shave and blame it on the razors edge, when in fact its usually one of the other three things thats the problem!

If you're not sure about the razor, the best advice I can give is to send it to a pro for honing. That way you will KNOW that you have a good edge.

Second, stropping. Make sure you are making even strokes and keeping good contact with the strop at all times. Roll on the spine and keep the razor flat on the strop or you may get a rolled edge, which will harm the fine edge of the razor.

Good beard prep is essential. Soak the beard or take a hot shower before hand. Use a good quality soap or cream and take time to really work the lather into the beard with the brush.

Technique; Keep the razor at a good angle on the face (around 30 degrees). Any more or less and the razor will not cut properly, instead it will just pull on the beard. Keep your touch light and let the razor do the work.

Hope this helps and good luck...!

Goc,

If i may ask, what is your current beard prep? I'm not sure if you are or are not aware, but beard prep can soften the toughest of beards and allow a properly honed blade to cut through the hair like a knife through butter, or as i like to say-- Jewish mother through self esteem. Do you shave after or before showering? Do you hot towel? Are you experiencing tugging WTG? ATG? XTG? Just some specifics like that might help us deduce what the problem area is.

-Jaxx

EDIT: +1 on stropping technique and competent razor angle from Stubear.

Goc,

Stubear has it pretty well nailed. I am becoming more and more convinced that once the razor is sharp, not kinda sharp, but sharp, the next most important thing is stropping -- followed by good prep and good lather... There needs to be a harmonious mix of ingredients and techniques for the shave to be smooth and comfortable. It will come with time -- and good stropping. I like Tony Miller's real linen fabric strop followed by laps on horsehide and I'm coming to more and more feel that it is the linen which is key to keeping an edge sharp for a long time.

I've been wrong before, or was it that I was wrong to think I was wrong? :) But 40 flax followed by 40 horse licks have kept 2 Friodurs (plus other rotators) sharp for months.

Happy New Year and good shaving,

:beer2:

Thank you guys.