Rookie Straight Razor Mistakes.

A once over with bathroom tissue will ensure the removal of any water on the razor. Everywhere, between the scales, all the hard to reach places. The tissue allows you to see the moisture, if any, as you remove it. If the toilet paper stays dry, your dry enough. I then allow it to air in a safe dry shelf.
I spotted one of mine, so I'm telling you from mistakes I've made.

 

I think I will need the blade looked at because it's not as sharp as I think it should be and stropping only seems to be a minimal help. Stropping does seem to make it so it will shave, but it drags and pulls a bit. It's not as comfortable as the first 2 shaves were and my DE's just seem much sharper. I must have messed up somehow and dulled the blade.

 

I myself have been recently reminded that proper stropping is essential to get the best from your edge. I learn things the hard way too at times.

But I've got a sharper razor and better shave as a result.

Just go ahead and mail it off to someone to hone for you.
It ain't the end of the world.

You can learn this stuff. We got better things and technology than guys who have done it for thousands of years before we were born. Just a matter of practice and attention to details. Speed comes with years of experience. Staying in a holiday inn and watching a few YouTube videos won't do it. (Even if they do help). But experience will teach you how to do this...and it's a very satisfying feeling when you get good at it all.

 

I keep my straights in the bedroom. When I fill the sink with hot water for a wash, my small shave room (toilet) gets warm and steamed up really quickly. If you had a shower, or multiple people using the bathroom, it would be worse. I keep mine well away from all that moisture and put silica gel bags in my razors box.

 

We haven't heard from you, for a while. Have you given up??