Ha. Exactly.
Apamburn, no idea what DMT stands for--it's a good brand name for diamond hones. D6EF is a model number for a 6"x2" double-sided combo hone.

For what it's worth, I agree with those who recommended sending it out to someone for a good sharpening. The answer to your question about whether a straight can be as sharp as a disposable is heck yes. Especially with a Solingen razor in decent shape. My feeling is that if you're not removing hair after multiple passes, your edge probably took some damage somewhere in the sandpaper honing (stropping?) progression you described. I can't remember a time when I had to take a second pass to get a close shave with a properly sharpened razor.

Like someone else said, get a good touch up from somebody so you can see how it's supposed to handle. Then do the bare minimum possible to maintain that edge (shouldn't need to hit the sandpaper....ever).

And you also might try pulling your skin tight & making crazy faces. That was a game changer for me. But then, I'm all old and wrinkly like a shar pei, so maybe it's just me.