What a difference!!!!!!!!
Well, I touched up the razor last night on the hone and stropped according to all y'all's instructions (it wasn't exactly the prettiest thing to watch but I didn't slice the strop and practice will provide improvement). There was a remarkable difference. I don't know how to describe the feeling when I did the thumb pad test but I could tell that the different stropping made a noticeable difference in the edge. I want to say that it felt thinner but that isn't the right word.
At any rate, I shaved this morning with 2 days growth and from the first pass, I could tell a difference. I could hear the blade slicing through the hairs on my cheek. I did 2 passes (WTG, XTG) and finished up with just water for the ATG pass. I still have some spots that aren't completely smooth but they're the same spots I have always had trouble with AND I can tell that it's much closer than previous shaves have gotten them.
No razor burn and the witch hazel felt nice and cool and refreshing.
It was a little rough though. Not any pulling but just not as smooth a cut as I'd like so I think I will do a few more strokes on the Norton 8k and re-strop. I will be getting a wide bench hone from Tony soon with the Cr02 on it. Speaking of Cr02, where does one purchase it? I can buy the diamond paste from Classic Shaving.com but they don't sell Cr02.
Thanks guys for all the advice. You've made a dramatic improvement in my shave.