So I've shaved a couple of times since my first post.
Things seem to have improved significantly. I realised that my angle of attack :) was too shallow around the chin, giving rise to the lack of cutting power. I also figured out that XTG is easier there than WTG.
- My stropping was too slow. So I sped it up, and the razors sheem sharper.
- 2 x WTG is not necessary over the whole surface of my face. As has been suggested, concentrating more on the problem areas gives me a closer shave.
At this point, the first WTG pass is about the same in efficacy as one WTG pass with a Tech.
To eliminate variables, what I'm going to do is:
1) Send one of the razors to be professionally honed.
-- It will certainly answer the question of whether razor sharpness is causing an issue.
2) Change more to a second XTG pass where needed. I think that a little more practice will improve the outcome of my shaves to the point where the clean-up with the DE is unnecessary. That's the current goal.
I appreciate everyone's input. Your comments have helped troubleshoot my straight razor experiments.