Thanks to you guys - success!
Here's what I used. First off, if it's not sharp, go back to the basics, i.e., lower grit/bevel set. And, most appreciated, do the honing under running water. Boy, did that help!
So I took my eBay McDonald, which I'd already "honed" thrice before (to no avail) and did a bevel set on the DCM 325 (yep, I know - very coarse. But I was in a mood.). Then repeated at 1000. And up to 12000, all naniwas. And I made sure to REALLY lap the naniwas this time - got them dead level before starting.
The difference was obvious during the honing. Left uniform metal traces on the honing stone immediately upon passing the blade over it. It simply "looked" different. Got a very curious water pattern as well, on the 8000 or 12000 grit (don't recall for sure). Small triangles of water pushed ahead of the blade instead of a continuous glob. Maybe 10 triangles across the width of the blade. Anyone ever see that before?
Anyway, easy to dry shave my arm and it sliced a hair, whereas before the hair would simply glide across the edge. Mucho stropping then put it aside until this morning. Got lathered up, realized I hadn't stropped this morning, stropped whilst lather endowed, then finally started shaving.
Went well. Not an epiphany or anything, but it shaved as easily as my SRD prepared Aust. Feeling it afterward it's not as smooth so perhaps still not as good or maybe I just didn't try as hard. Decided to be conservative and so didn't stress on the ATG under the neck, which is clearly where I need to concentrate my efforts. Cheeks are pretty under control.
So, thanks again for the suggestions. Now I've got two shave-ready blades and can contemplate a third ...
