Quote Originally Posted by CraigSmith View Post
Only shaved about 4 or five times with a Lynn Abrams honed straight razor, Dovo 5/8 Special.... It seemed very difficult for the razor to cut my whiskers.....Is this in my stropping technique? Did I dull the blade by improperly stropping? .....I do not have a hone but am wondering if I don't need a couple of swipes on one to straighten it out?
You wouldn't exactly be a pioneer if you stropped it poorly...been there, done that. Got the tee shirt and the group photo. Got out a table knife, worked on my stopping for a day or two, did a bunch on the linen, then much more on the leather. Results: A passble shave, with <2 days growth. A number of other factors could be involved. I'd go there first if everything else is kosher. If that didn't work, I might consider 5 - 10 passes on a pasted balsa / strop. If THAT didn't work, I'd send it back out for a re-hone. Not worth the frustration to question my stropping ability AND my shaving ability AND my honing ability AND my perception of what does or doesn't constitute an acceptable SR shave pass or edge AND my career choices AND why I called that woman back after I...well....AND...

You get the idea.

Cheers
Scott