Did it! Then I REALLY did it!! Then I did again.

I did it...I stropped my new TI on the hanging strop. Then I REALLY did it...I dropped it...on the carpet, then it rolled and hit the vinyl bathroom floor (MAJOR heart attack). I inspected it visually (with the naked eye). No perceptible nicks, dents or anything. Soooo, I took a deep breath, calmed down, and re-read Randy's earlier reply to one of my posts and recommendation to use .50 diamond paste on my paddle strop for about 20 round trips, then the hanging strop for about 50 round trips, and then I did it again...voila!! The hair didn't hang!! Cut that sucker right in two, which the razor would not do out of the box. So far I'm half way there. The next thing is the shave test. It will be my first straight razor shave so I won't expect too much until I not only learn to keep it sharp, but also learn to shave with it. I'll keep you posted.
I need to get a microscope though to check for blade nicks. Called the local Radioshack and they only have a 10 power. I'll check their website.

Dang! thats too bad. Might be ok though if you stropped it and didn't have any scratches on the strop. The Radio Shack microscope is about the size of a credit card but much wider and costs about $9.99. I mention this because I'm sort of surprised that they would be selling a 10x microscope. Lets not be dropping those anymore ok? LOL

Aiiiee! Yeah, careful with those things, or you'll cut a toe off.

If you look at the edge and find nicks, they're probably going to have to be honed out, which is an expert job. Well, more expert than me, at least! If there are any scratches on your strop, the blade is almost certainly nicked. I'd suggest in that case sending it to a honemeister to have it put back in order.

If not... whew, that was a close one. :)

Keith,

It WAS a close one! But guess what? I shaved with it my first time and it went pretty darn well. I got one honest nick (not bad though) from not concentrating and watching what I was doing and another (dishonest?) nick when I just barely caught my right ear lobe with the toe of the razor. Other than that, a great shave. Especially for the first time. I'm going to let my face rest tomorrow and go at it again with the TI Monday. I did as someone (I can't remember who) suggested and practiced with a table knife and that definitely helped. The one thing I didn't do this time that I'll try the next time is shave the left side of my face with my left hand (I'm right handed). Some of the areas were easier than I expected (i.e. the neck) and some were a challenge (i.e. the chin). Overall, I got about as good a shave as I got the first time I used a DE safety razor and actually nicked myself less. Anyway, I feel pretty good about my first straight razor shave and I'm sure they'll only get better with practice. Can't wait til I'm proficient though. It took me about 1-2 weeks to start getting great shaves with a DE safety razor. But I'm sure the straight razor's going to take considerably longer than that in order to get really comfortable with it.
One thing I don't do with the straight razor that I did with the DE safety razor is stand in front of the sink and shave in the buff. With the straight razor I wear pants and leather slippers. Dropping that thing when I was stropping it kind of drove that message home. No injuries to report though...thank God!
By the way, I was able to order a Radio Shack 60-100 power microscope off the Radio Shack website. They're only $9.99. I'll inspect the TI blade with it for nicks, although it seemed to shave just fine. Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions. I'm already thinking about another straight as a backup. But I'll take my time and learn to use the one I have first. Have a great Sunday everyone.

Tom

Congratulations! Sounds like you're well on your way to being a regular straight razor shaver. And, after all, you did start out with a very, very fine blade to begin with.

I cut my ear my first time, too. I think it was the whole shaving the left side of my face thing, combined, as always, with a lack of paying complete attention. I fold it up out of the way if I need to get real close now. :)