So I thought that I would get into Straigt Razor Shaving and for the most part I like it. I've been shaving now for 3 weeks, and I'm starting to have my doubts. I'm sort of a dive head first and break my neck type guy, and try and figure things out later. I did a lot of research before I did anything, so that I wouldn't slit my throat (I've managed not to slit my throat...so far). My razor is a DOVO Solingen with a Bergischer Lowe blade. I also bought a Fromm razor as well for practice. When I first got the DOVO I was able to do the hanging hair test and I was amazed it actually work. Which leads me to my first question. Should I be able to do the hanging hair test before every shave? I haven't been able to do it in about 4 shaves now. I have made sure that when I strop I keep the blade flat with no pressure, but the wieght of the blade. I have been doing 15 strops on the nylon, and about 50 on the leather, and I still can't do the hanging hair test. I have been getting really nasty razor burn on my chin(only on one side of my chin), and around my mouth. I look like I have a nasty rash around my mouth. So I though that I would have to maybe give the razor a little update, a little refreshing. So true to myself, I went out and bought some pretty good honing stones. Again I did some research on honing and have watched coutless video on how to do it...blah, blah, blah. I went out and got a #4000 Grit King Super Deluxe Finish Stone, a #8000 Grit Takenoko Polishing Stone, a #10000 Ceramic Super Polishing Water Stone - Naniwa, and a #12000 Kitayama Super Polishing Water Stone. I tried to give the razo a little sharpen, and again could not get the hanging hair test to pass. Which leads me to my next questions. I shave about every other day. Roughly how often should I have to hone my razor(just a refresh)? The razor came honed. I know that honing depends on how damaged or dull the blade is, but if I am just giving the razor a refresh, how many round trip strokes do I need to make on my 4000, 8000, 10000, 12000? I don't want to over do it, but I just want to have a nice sharp blade so I don't rip my face apart. Like I said before, at first I was thrilled, now I'm thinking about going back. I don't want to because I've spent a fortune on razors, stones, badger hair brush, cream, shaving cup. I like it because it relaxs me, it set the pace of my day. But when I get razor burn, it hurts like all hell and all I can think about is everyone starring at my mouth. Like I said before I've done tons of research so I know that I am shaving correctly, the blade is flat on my face with a very shape angle, I'm not digging it into my face. I think I have the correct technique (but what the hell do I know), I've only been doing this for 3 weeks. I have a couple other questions as well. Everyone says a straight razo shave is sooooo smooth. Really how smooth is it? Right now I am led to believe that I can get a smoother shave with a mach 3 or a fusion. My other question is, once I start getting pretty good at straight razor shaving, How long should it take to shave? Right know it takes me a minimum of 20 - 30 min. Any help is much appreciated, and I hope I didn't come off as "complaining". Like I said before I do like it and it sets the pace of my day. I just don't want to give up because I am doing something wrong and have wasted $1000. Please, Please, Please HELP!!!!