Can you give us some details please:

How long have you been shaving with a Straight?

First razor or first new razor and what is it/how long have you had it?

Have you had a chance to search for a mentor in the area?

And do you have something to lap the stones?

My suggestion if you can't find a mentor is use your free honing from Lynn first.
Normally you can maintain a pro-honed razor for a very long time (like outlast you) with the 12k, dropping down only if you let it go all the way to dull or it is damaged - and lifting the spine while Stropping will damage the edge...

Taking out chips is "restoring" and takes some time to master. Bringing an edge back to form is "touching up" aka honing. It takes practice and patience but with a mentor or some time watching the reference material you can master it.

And we have all been in the spot you are in now...hang in there.

Smooth shaving