Advice needed

[General28]

I need some advice. I’ve been using a DE razor for some time now. I think it’s getting close to a year. Shaving is a breeze with my Merkur or my Gillettes, a 48-50 SS and a Tech.
I recently picked up a straight razor from The Art of Shaving when I ran across one of their shops in my travels. I thought I would try it this morning so I lathered up my Woolfat and to my surprise I couldn’t seem to shave at all with it. It seems very sharp to the touch and I stropped it some, but it pulled and stuck to my face to the point that I could not use it. I tried different angles but that made no difference. I watched the videos on You Tube, and I would think that the razor should cut through the hairs. The best I could do was to hack at the whiskers. It would not slide along my face at all. What might I be doing wrong? I didn’t expect to start out as an expert, but this didn’t go well at all.
Any advice will be much appreciated.

 

[persco]

A straight razor bought from a store will seem very sharp to the touch (because it is), but it will not likely be "shave ready." You probably need to have it honed by someone here. New razors are not usually sharp enough to shave with the way they come from the manufacturer.

A shave ready straight will be extremely sharp and shave you closer than a DE. At least that's my experience having used a straight as my main razor for a year now.

 

[chess1]

most like that blade was not shave ready . You will need to send blade some honemaster's close where you live and get it sharpened. then you will have different shaving experience. this is the link choose one . good luck and have patience. you will get there.

http://badgerandblade.com/vb/showthread.php?t=44244

 

[SavantStrike]

A straight razor bought from a store will seem very sharp to the touch (because it is), but it will not likely be "shave ready." You probably need to have it honed by someone here. New razors are not usually sharp enough to shave with the way they come from the manufacturer.

A shave ready straight will be extremely sharp and shave you closer than a DE. At least that's my experience having used a straight as my main razor for a year now.

+1 since it was from AOS. Not that I have anything against AOS, but they don't have a reputation for selling the sharpest blades

That said it always feels like the blade is dull when you first start, so after you send it to a honemeister and go to use it, even though it might still feel dull, it wont be. I recommend you get it honed though.

 

[General28]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I looks like a unanimous vote that it needs to be honed.
Anyone know someone in the Phoenix area?