Had my first shave with a real straight razor yesterday. I have used a Shavette for the better part of the past few years.

Had the new razor (A dovo special 5/8) sent to Lynn to ensure that it was honed properly. Stropped it as per the instructions I've read, using one of Tony Miller's 4 sided strops. 10 passes on a rough leather side, 10 passes on a smooth leather side.

In comparison to the shavette, it really felt like my beard was being pulled at rather than cleanly shaved off. I don't doubt Lynn's hand when it comes to honing, so am trying to figure out why it was not nearly as "effortless" a shave than a Shavette with Feather platinum blades in it.

I kept the blade flat when stropping, using enough pressure to keep it in contact - could I have dulled the edge nonetheless?

I'm not intending to use any hand pressure when shaving. At least not any more than I do when using a Shavette. Am I using too light a touch? Everything I've read suggested the blade edge / angle / weight should be doing the cutting, not my hand pressure.

Could it be possible that a 5/8 is just insufficient for my beard thickness?

Any other ideas?