Quote Originally Posted by ace View Post
I think you have to start with a sharp razor or you're doomed. I can take a sharp razor, skip prep altogether and shave with just water on my face and get a decent shave. I don't choose to shave that way, but I've found that it tells you whether you're blade is truly sharp.
+1

I shave a small patch on my neck to test a razor after honing. I don't even use water. I wouldn't shave my whole face this way, but it gives me the best feedback with fewest variables. Even with no prep, no lather, no nothing, I don't have any discomfort. The blade shouldn't be pulling at all if it's properly honed.

You said you had it honed locally, and I don't mean to bash whoever did the work for you, but I would try another person. Maybe the person who honed it for you didn't really put a good edge on it to begin with, and you have been struggling with a poor edge all this time unknowingly.