Rolling X = Frustrating yet worth it....
At the start of the month my first straight razor arrived in the mail (it was a brand new Dovo). After struggling with a Col Conk hone I proceeded to rip flesh from my face. Gave up on that and got a Norton 4000/8000 with some finishing films. Got a great edge across 70% of the blade and began to get some good shaves - but still with quite a bit irritation.
Today I get up from night shift and spend 3.5 hours working on the "rolling X". The result is a fantastic edge the whole length of a blade and a shave the likes of which I've never had before! In comparison to my old gillette or my first attempts with the Dovo it was like having angels kissing my face. Perhaps a bit much by you get the idea!
Thank god for the fact that 5 years in the Army turned me into an obsessive compulsive freak who can't leave well enough alone!