So a lot going on.
Firstly, what kind of razor is it?
How many laps are you stropping?
Are your stones lapped and beveled?
Are you setting the bevel on the 4K?
What method are you using to determine the bevel is fully set?
What are you using for magnification?

Formulaic honing almost never works, you have to do what the edge needs. Get some good magnification and look at the edge and bevel. If you see chipping, those chips need to be removed by fully setting the bevel and removing all the cross grain stria, then remove all the 4k stria with the 8k, however many laps as it takes. Stropping on “razor quality”, Chrome Oxide will polish the bevel and edge for comfort and add bit of keenness.

Circles work well for rapid metal removal, because of the alternating cross direction. Looking at the stria you will see random direction from circles, which can cause chipping at the edge. Straight laps will give you a straighter edge, which is the goal of honing. Make sure you are honing all the way to the edge, reading the first three posts in the honing forum are packed with honing information.

Changing hands while honing, adds more variables to the process.