So I've done my research, I've read pages and pages about shaving with a straight razor, how to strop, how to hone, etc. I have sharpened knives for years, and can get very good edges, but I've never tried honing something as fine as a straight razor.

I watched god knows how many videos on youtube, so when I ordered myself a factory Dovo Best Quality, I knew I'd probably have to hone it. I got the razor along with a brand new Norton 4000/8000 grit stone and a Jemico strop.

The razor showed up today, I tried the hanging hair test, which it did not pass. So I soaked the stone for 15 minutes and went to honing.

For the life of me, I cannot get the razor to pass the hanging hair test. The best I can get (and only sometimes) is for the razor to snag the hair and split it lengthwise.

I went very slowly, was very careful, put minimum pressure on the blade and made slow, deliberate strokes.

In my final attempt, I gave the razor 50 strokes on the 4000 grit, followed by 50 strokes on the 8000 grit, and finished with 20 passes on the strop. I managed to get it to cut one out of 5 hairs, but that took some fanagling and was probably a fluke.

I have absolutely no idea what I could possibly be doing wrong... and I feel like an idiot, to be honest. I've maintained blades for years, just not one this fine, and apparently the technique is completely eluding me.