After an extensive (almost mind-numbing) amount of forum research I've recently purchased a straight razor (Dovo Classic "Special" 5/8 Black), a Norton 4000-8000X stone, strop paddle with a block of chromium oxide, a linen/leather strop and a cheap 60-100X Radioshack microscope.

I have sharpened, thought it was ready and tried to shave 4 times already. Each time is getting better, less ripping and pulling until it was decent to shave my upper face, but my neck still eludes me.

I've been back into the forums again and re-read most everything again and I am more confused than ever. The general consensus seems to be to progress from the Norton water stones (using some type of pyramid scheme and an X motion) to pasted strops and then to the plain strop


HTML Code:
http://www.nortonconsumer.com/Media/Documents/S0000000000000001032/GeneralInfoDATA.pdf
Norton 4000X = 6 microns
Norton 8000X = 3 microns

HTML Code:
http://www.classicshaving.com/catalog/item/522944/196078.htm
Dovo Green Sharpening Paste = 6 microns
Dovo Red Sharpening Paste = 2-4 microns
Dovo White Paste = edge polish (??? <0.25 microns ???)
Dovo Yellow Paste = leather conditioner

HTML Code:
http://www.classicshaving.com/page/page/522944.htm
diamond pastes = 9 microns
diamond pastes = 1.0 microns
diamond pastes = 0.5 microns
diamond pastes = 0.25 microns

HTML Code:
http://www.leevalley.com/wood/page.aspx?c=1&p=32984&cat=1,43072
chromium oxide = 0.5 microns


However, it seems that there is a lot of overlap in grit sizes between the water stones and different paste grit size (i.e. Dovo Green Sharpening Paste (6 um) after the Norton 8000X (3um) would be counter productive). Any thoughts?
Also, if you have any other suggestions for improving my technique, please pass them along.


Thanks,
Mark

P.S. After a few more shaves, I will send it out to Lynn, through the classic shaving sharpening service and 'compare notes'.