I just got a shave-ready 7/8" straight and tried my first shave. No cuts, surprisingly enough, but no shave either, except under the nose, which as never been closer.

Two problems, as far as I can tell:

Some of the whiskers lie very flat, and almost have some skin over them, kind of like semi-ingrown hairs. I may need to go whole hog and get the hot towels, which I didn't bother with this time.

I think the beard is coarse, and first time out I was too reluctant to apply pressure.

Any thoughts? I'm pretty certain the razor is sharp enough, it came honed and stropped from a SRP member and passes the hanging hair test.