Ok, I'll give you a few details about myself so that you may offer any advice, if you have any.

I have been shaving with a straight razor for about 3 months now, after buying a Dovo Shavette.

I have got to the point where I can shave a first pass, and on most occassions a second pass, without cutting myself. Although, if I'm honest, 'cutting' myself has never been the problem (as it has only ever happened when I am careless).

The problem is that cutting with the grain, and then cutting across the grain (on the second pass), leaves me shaved, but it isn't that smooth. It's quite clear that a third pass, against the grain, would be necessary to make the skin totally smooth (and it does). However, whenever I shave the third pass, against the grain, the skin pulls, and it is quite painful. When the shave is finished (after a third pass), the skin starts to bleed and it 'bumps', and usually becomes inflamed with a redish appearance. It doesn't bleed from a clean 'cut', as such, but tends to produce many tiny 'spots' of blood, instead. This generally makes my face look ridiculous for the rest of the day.

So, I can shave fine for a first and second pass, but the skin is not that smooth (despite being devoid of hair). However, a third pass seems totally out of the question.

I have tried all sorts of skin preparation, and the razor is very sharp when it has a new blade (although I find it much, much easier to shave with a blade that has been used a couple of times, rather than a fresh one).

Am I doing something wrong, with regard to the third pass?

Some people seem to be able to get a very smooth shave with only a second pass across the grain.

However, when I shave with my safety razor, I can get perfectly smooth skin, by shaving against the grain, with no irritation or problems whatsoever.

Why should this not be the same with a straight razor, if I can shave well enough on a first and second pass?

Thanks