There are quite a few tricks to push 8k hones to the limit..

Try letting the hone go to dry (damp) as you finish on the last 15-20 super light super even laps..


Also keep in mind that you did not "Keep everything the same" you took a razor that was shaving ok then did 30 perfectly smooth laps that you paid very close attention to and got a better result.. You don't actually know if that was the result of the Lather or the result of 30 laps that you paid particular attention to