My third shave went extremely well, when I put on my AS my face barley burned.

For my 4th shave I did not do anything different during my prep other than strop more. For my third shave I stropped 15 linen, 20 leather, and for my fourth I did 20/40.

After my 4th shave my face felt like my first, on fire. At first I though it was just my technique when shaving (which is still likely was a contributing factor). However I stropped my razor today and before I put razor to face I did a hanging hair test (cut loose hair with blade) and 95% of the razor does not cut the hair, the hair just glides over the blade. This is my first HHT so I do not have anything to compare it to.

When I stropped my razor the past two times, I used a light touch, I made sure the strop was firm and I did not use so much pressure that the strop flexed (using a hanging strop).

Did I strop incorrectly and dull the blade?

When I strop I try to put no pressure on the blade and what pressure I put (from holding the razor as it is moving) I try to keep on the spine. I noticed going down the strop is easier than going down in terms of maintaining lite pressure.

Could I be doing the hair test wrong? Any insight on stropping would be appreciated. I have watched several videos on how to strop and though I was following their advice well. Perhaps not.

Guess it is time to learn how to hone, and buy a new pre honed razor so I have something to shave with.

Any insight would be appreciated.