How many shaves? or "My beard is too tough!"
Disclaimer: I'm new to this. I've shaved maybe 5 times with my straight. I think I can finally get (most of) my neck and cheek as close as with my Dovo as I can with one of those Mach 7's with the 5 blades and the rubber spatula bit.
Prologue: For some reason, when I got the razor, it was dull. My first shave was therefore a disaster. I took it to a well-regarded mom & pop shop in San Jose, and they sharpened it for me. Honed it, I guess. They didn't recommend a hone it myself. A few shaves later and I am realizing that even with stretching and lathering and everything, shaving my chin is downright painful when I do the "against the grain" pass. The blade really does drag. When I'm finished, my face is very sore.
Questions:
How many shaves should I be able to get between hones?
Should I get my own kit and start honing?
Is it possible that something other than a dull blade could be the cause of my problem?