Is this a good indication that the edge is getting to where it needs to be? To my thinking, it has to be getting pretty dang smooth to get this, right?

I'm still working on the Solingen on the 8k. On one side of the razor, I can definitely feel the edge "suck down" to the hone. On the other side, it's just starting to 'suck down'. I'm working on very light strokes to keep things as even as possible until I get both sides smoothed out equally.

Shave - wise: Much *MUCH* better - a little bit of pulling on the moustache and chin, but nothing like what it was - I think I'm getting pretty close.