Thread: Pulling and tugging what am I doing wrong?

Hello all,

I am a complete newbie to not only this forum but straight razor shaving. Okay so my lovely girlfriend gifted me a Dovo straight from TheSuperiorShave website. Now that site says all razors will be professionally honed before shipping them. So I open my new razor gitty and all, watch Lynn Abrams DVD beginning to end which I picked up from the web, and decide to strop my razor on the small (maybe an inch wide?) paddle strop which I have. I did maybe 20 passes on the strop. Then I took a hot shower, washed my face, used Proraso preshave cream, then hot towel to the face, began shaving for the first time....overall the shave went better than expected. The blade seemed sharp and able to cut with ease. My biggest issues were my chin line, and the chin not to mention I did not even try my upper lip. Did 3 passes. Shave was great. Cleaned, dryed and let the razor sit out over night. Next day I stored the razor in the little "Silicone-Treated Cotton Razor Sleeve" purchased from TheSuperiorShave.

I then let my beard grow out for about 7-9 days before reshaving. Yesterday I was excited again as I decided to shave again, did the same exact prep on face as well as stropping 20-25 times only this time the razor did not seem like it could shave at all....it would pull and tug on my skin and whiskers and barley get any hairs. Multiple passes had to be done and still the shave was not close. I had to give up this go around and go back to a disposable. Razor out of the box passed "hanging hair test" after this second shave it could not pass the test.

Okay did I somehow within 35-40 stropping motions between two sessions on the strop "de-hone" this blade? May I have switched the angle from my first (and better) shave? (I find this unlikely as I tested all sorts of angles this second go around and the razor just seemed to pull and tug instead of cut/shave)

My biggest concern when getting a straight was not learning to use the razor but the care of the blade. (stropping, drying, honing) Also I have noticed two faint discolored marks right on or near the heel (possible oxidation?) These photos probably wont help but either way if it is oxidation what can I do? Is wiping the blade and scales with toilet paper until dry and letting it air dry plus storing it in a "treated sock" not enough post clean-up/care?

Okay I am sure I have bored everyone to death......I am just another beginner attempting to learn, please spare me.

Thanks a ton in advance for any and all response.
-ElSonador