I'm determined, and stubborn, so I honed the razor again last night, after the previous 2k posts. I paid special attention to pressure at the toe and heel. I'd do a set of back and forths, slightly angled across the stone to keep the whole blade in contact. And then x-strokes, again with extra attention to pressure at the toe and heel. Without doing any breadknifing, the slight frown in starting to decrease already. After honing, I stropped on chro-ox, 0.5 diamond spray on felt, and naked leather. I shaved rather well. Far better than any time before. No irritation, and no signs of razor burn at all today. It didn't shave quite a cleanly in all areas, and required a few touch-ups. Overall, I'm pleased so far, but not satisfied. I think I can get it a little better.

One area of note is the slight upward curve at the very end of the toe is now nearly gone. I've honed it so the entire length of the edge is flat. Is that slight upwards turn desirable, something to be maintained? I've noticed that the spike point would gouge me if I wasn't very, very careful. To maintain that, would you lift the spine off the stone at the very end of a swooping x-stroke?