Hi all,

I'm brand new to the site even though I've been stalker status on here for the last couple months reading up on straights. For Christmas I received a 5/8 Thiers Issard straight razor and a Dovo strop. I was having extreme difficulty at first as all newbies do, and then I read the piece on here about how razors are really not "shave ready" until professionally honed. I sent it down to SRD's and got it back a few weeks ago. I noticed immediately better shaves and was much happier with my gift.

Recently though, I've been having slight issues with the sharpness of my blade. I've never been able to get it to pass the hanging hair test, even right after I got it back from SRD's. Should a razor be able to pass this test to be considered sharp enough to shave with? I've also watched numerous videos of gents using straights and their blades always seem to pass so effortlessly on their faces. Mine is never that smooth, there's always a little pull. I'm fairly sure my stropping is not what it should be, but I would like to know what is the standard I'm trying to achieve?

Any advice would be appreciated. I'm looking forward to enjoying this for years to come, I just need to get better!