Oooooo ouch. Well kind of sounds like my first attempt. I looked like I was in a chain saw fight and couldn't get mine started.

Good choice, by the way, on the Dovo. Start with 30 passes on the cloth side, then another 60 on your leather, I think you will find that's a pretty good combo for your stropping.

Hey, if anyone asks about your 'scars', just tell them they are dueling scars. Go slow. It sounds like you are on the right track, just don't let your ego get in the way of your caution.

P.S. This 67 year old face has some 'dueling' scars as well, they are called CHARACTER lines.