I just got my first straight razor from Vintage Blades - a nice Dovo "Best", honed by the Honorable Lynn Abrams. So, I realize I'm treading on uncertain grounds, being a novice used to a Merkur DE.

I felt a *lot* of pulling on my first shave. Much, much more than with my DE, for example. I reviewed 'The World of Straight Razor Shaving', and the 'hanging hair' test doesn't work.

Advice? Is it plausible I got a less-than-ready blade? Any ways I should test this, beyond the 'hanging hair' test?

I'm a bit reluctant to hone the blade, because at this point I'd assume technique is the issue. But the 'hanging hair' test makes me wonder. I don't want to get discouraged because I'm combining a dull blade and poor technique!