Hi guys! I'm new to this site, I'm over at The Shave Den on the same nick but this is my first post here. I just purchased a Wapi with Violet Scales from Invisible Edge in Eng. I have shaved with it about 4 times now. Luckily ( knocks on head"wood") no major cuts a few tiny nicks here and there. Well, anyways right to my list of questions. I have been browsing this site quite a bit, and I'm having a bit of trouble.

I had some decent first shaves, I went ATG/WTG and Across the Grain too. I almost got a BBS on the second try, however my skin started to get irritated and red with razor burn
I noticed the blade jumping and skipping against the grain, not on my cheeks or neck, but on my lip and chin
I should note that I have an extremly heavy "tough as nails" beard. I mean I shave with a Merkur Futur with Feathers and Feather's only last 3 shaves with me, and their toast.
MyEquipment is as follows

American Made Latigo and Cowhide strop 28 long 3 wide
Wapineca Shave Ready razor.
I have many brushes (some I've made)
Lots of creams and soaps.
My favs being my Puter 24 Silvertip ( knot from Goldennib)
Fav creams are my C&E West Indian Sandalwood.
Pinaud Classic Clubman Aftershave.


Ok so I recently ordered two diamond pastes .5 and .25 and I decided to paste my cowhide side of my strop with .25 diamond paste to hone my edge a bit as I notice its nowhere near as sharp as my Feather blades. I get a no nick BBS shave each time with my Feathers but my Straight causes me topush to hard and get razor burn.

Ok so I stropped last night about 20 times on the .25 and then about 40+ on my Latigo.
I noticed the edge appeared sharper I havent shaved with it yet.


Sorry this is so long winded ugh.
My question is with a heavy beard like mine is .25 and .5 diamond paste enough to keep a prehoned razor in tune. If not what stones would you reccomend I get to hone up my razor without going for my lungs ( I'm thinking 50 -75 bucks tops) I mean eventually I want all the gear but with one razor I don't see the point right now.

Thanks for looking and reading this bloated post lol I promise my next post wont be nearly as long, Ijust wanted to get all my info out there upfront

cheers
D