Not sure what to think

[ats200]

Today I gave it my first shot with a straight razor. I used a brand new DOVO silver steel 5/8 just out of the box. I won't say from which vendor I bought the razor but it did include a sticker saying it was honed by Lynn.

The problem here is that when I took it out of the case I tried to run it along my arm hair as I've seen some suggest as a test of sharpness and nothing happened, it just skimmed right over the hair not cutting any of it. I assumed maybe I was doing something wrong because it was honestly the first time I've really held a honed razor.

I showered, prepped, and began the shave very slowly just on the cheeks with very short and steady cuts. Right away it felt like it was almost pulling the hairs out of my skin. I assume my technique was very flawed but I made sure to keep a VERY light grip on the razor and try to let the blade do the work so I don't think it was my hand doing the "pulling."

I managed to shave with the grain on both of my cheeks before I decided I probably couldn't get much further. I finished the shave with my Mach 3 just to be safe and to avoid cutting myself in other areas of my face on which I was uncomfortable shaving.

Just a note, I did not try to hone or strop the razor myself at any point so I can't imagine I did anything to the blade on my own. I also pulled a small hair out of my head and tried to cut it and until I put tension on the hair (wrapped it around 2 fingers) it didn't cut - this was after my attempt at shaving.

Does anyone know what I could be doing wrong, angle of shave maybe? I know to always assume it's my fault and not the razor's (especially one honed by Lynn).

Thanks in advance,

ats200