To start read my sig to avoid nicks. Following that advice has worked for me and some others I know of.

I'm wondering if your razor is truly shaving sharp ? Did you have it honed professionally ? Even if you did stropping improperly can kill it. IME it should glide through the whiskers on the sides of the jaw. If it doesn't IMO it isn't sharp enough.

The blade angle is very important. It will vary some depending on where you are but sometimes the spine closer to the skin can help. Angle of attack is important too. When you've got some stubble take your finger tips and feel the direction of the whiskers. This is called 'mapping' the face and will help you know where WTG, XTG and ATG are on your particular map.

Sounds like you've been doing the reading. Keeping the fingers of the stretching hand dry is the trick. Experimenting with stretching in a different direction if the one I am using isn't working has helped me to solve problems. Hang in there and don't give up on it. You'll get there if you keep on keeping on.