I have just shaved for the first time using a straight. Woohoo. It was quite nerve racking.

I used my DOVO Birmark which my girlfriend got me for christmas.
Other equipment I have is a leather/canvas strop, a 5000 and 8000 grit waterstone and a cheap but new razor off ebay.

I used Taylors sandalwood shaving cream with a Taylors best badger brush.
I managed to do two passes with the razor but felt the blade was catching too much to do a third. (I had one nick)

So afterwards I used a bodyshop aftershave balm and my face is a tiny bit raw but there is definate potential here.

I have a few questions. You guys seem very friendly and helpful and I have tried to read as much as I can but there is days worth of research I could go through without getting the answers.

1) I have tried to hone my cheap razor on the 5000/8000 grits using the pyramid system but its nowhere near shave ready. Is it possible to get it shave ready with the 5000 and 8000, if so how?

2) My DOVO was advertised as shave ready but couldn't pass the hair test. Therefore I gave it 15 X passes on the 8000 grit, stropped it and used it. As I mentioned it was good for 2 passes but feel that it wasn't the perfect straight razor experience. How much do you recommend I hone the razor to get it perfect.

I'm not really keen on sending my razor away for someone else to do it. I have the time and patience at present to do it myself. But then again I really don't want to ruin my DOVO as it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever owned.

Please Help

p.s. All my family and friends think I'm mad for taking this up, but i'm so sick of using gillette abominations.