I guess I'm only just had my first shave now that the razor is sharp. I didn't strop it as I assumed it was most likely done after honing and just gave it a bit of a wash and had at it.

It's like night and day. It still pulls a bit but I suspect that's either because I have tough beard (which I didn't think was the case but it might be) or my technique.

I have to say my skin is sensitive at the moment so I might skip and day and suffer a heavy beard for a day. I did get much closer at some points than I ever have with any other means of shaving so that's a good start. I also did have to clean up with a cartridge razor afterwards but it didn't take much off since the shave was closer than it could get already.

Now that I know I've got the right setup I can just work on improving my skill. I did nick myself a few times but no worse that I'd do with a cartridge razor when I'm rushing things. I'll give the razor a good stropping and try again in a few days.

On a side note, when I was asking the older guys in the office about getting a straight razor honed people's interest piqued, seems a lot of people are rather fascinated by the art of straight razor shaving. The looks on their faces when I told them I've already shaved with it a few times is priceless, they seem to think that you'll cut your face off or something. Of course I don't correct them on the danger perception, it's entertaining...