Here are some little tips to help you guys out:

Using a good slow honing stroke is critical. Equal pressure, equal distance, equal angle on each side.

Use a slow hone and take your time. The 8K or a barber hone helps control the amount of steel removal. Also controls the amount of damage you can do with a bad stroke.

A good bevel smoothed out patiently is worth the wait.

Stropping should include a slight x pattern added to it in both directions.

Keeping the strop taught is important.

When the edge gets better after each shave you know your stropping correctly.

Rubbing the cream into your whiskers and letting it soak a little extra time will help a lot.

The point of greatest purchase is just in front of the fingertips stretching the skin. Once you slide out beyond 3 inches from your fingers, your fingertips aren't providing much support.

One of the most important tips with a straight is to use the time and focus you must achieve to carefully ensure you get a good shave. Sloppy is not tolerated or helpful. Its not a swipe/swipe affair with a straight.

Each part of your face needs a certain angle and direction of blade movement.

Don't relegate yourself to WTG, ATG, etc. The angle and direction you attack any part of the face is up to 360 degrees in direction. You can go against and across in any variety you choose.