Getting nowhere fast. I have acquired a very old Frederick Reynolds blade from Sheffield and a new stainless Gold Dollar from China, + a 4000/8000 stone and a home-made strop impregnated with CrO2. I have watched several videos on the use of stones and strops, and have varied the pressure and used a sharpie pen to ensure that the cutting edge is visually sharp and not rounded. All of this to no avail. I cannot get a sharp blade that will give a comfortable shave . I have been able to bring the blades to where I can hear it ring when I cut hairs from my arm, but still not sharp enough to shave. What's next ? . . . . . maybe a microscope to view the edge . . . . but what do you look for. Theres a lot of advice out there, but does anybody know for certain other than the people at Gillette and they aren't telling. Seems like for most of us, its guess work and luck.