I need help with steel like whiskers that grow against the skin. What is happening is the razor mostly skims over the whiskers without a cut when WTG (or even a slight angle). If I go ATG, the razor just stops. Going faster or harder ATG just causes irritation.

I've attempted to remedy this by shaving smaller areas, but I'm still getting stumped. Raking and slamming the blade into the hair isn't helping either.

Advice? Techniques?
Or is this the end of the road for straight razor shaving for me?

The quality blade is professionally honed. My shaves are every morning, so the hair is not long. I take a hot shower before my shaves, and use a quality cream and brush. I typically shave with a slant safety razor that cuts easily.

Thanks,
Jake