Hello All,

I'm new to the forum, but have been searching and reading for quite some time now. I've purchased a new Ti 5/8 sheffield silver steel razor with Norton 4K/8K hone, Dovo hanging strop, etc.. from Classic Shaving. When I recieved everything in the mail the first thing I did was lap the stone with 3M 1K grit wet/dry on some glass. After convinced it was indeed flat, I tested my razor for sharpness. It took a few strokes on the ol' arm, but hair did slowly seem to be dissapearing. Nothing really awe inspiring though.
I flushed the new hone to rid it of any left over 1K grit and sat down at the table with hone and razor. I did the pyramid recommended for a razor that is almost keen (maybe I should have done aggressive honing). Checking for improvement after a few sequences to prevent over honing. I couldn't really detect any appreciatable difference of the edge. I tried one more pyramid and stropped for a test shave.
To say the least, it was not shave ready. I've done the pyramid a few times now and the razor continues to hack at my beard. I know I'm the one at fault, not the razor. I must be doing something wrong here, or maybe just not enough yet. Maybe just a little more patience. I'm just wondering how much honing is often required with a new Ti to get it shave ready? I tried the hair test and I haven't gotten one to successfully cut yet. Not even running the hair along the edge in a cutting motion does it.
My first attempt at stropping made me realize just how easy Lynn makes it look in the video. I noticed when I was coming back with the blade, that the edge was not making full contact with the strop. I felt the drag of the rear of the blade and thought that I was feeling some of the edge as well. Nope. I've since corrected myself. The last time I stropped I lifted the rear of the blade ever so slightly to ensure positive contact with the stropp. This time without the rear drag interference I could feel the edge making contact. The shave afterwards was somewhat improved and the edge did look more polished. Is this way of stropping a big oops on my part??
If anyone has any suggestions on honing sequences or stropping techniques I could use to get my razor shave ready I would be immensely grateful! My last shave with the razor was like a lumberjack hacking his way through a forest. It did cut some hair, but it was pulling and there was nothing close about the way it was cutting. Any help will be appreciated Thanks!

- Tony