Randy pointed out in another threadthat overhoning the cuttign fins away is a common mistake. Try honing in a quiet room and listen to the fins get filed away on the 8000 side. I found it easy to use just a little too much pressure or a few too mant trips and the cutting sound begins to diminish. Is it possible you're overdoing it at the heel, grinding down the 'teeth' and this is why you're not popping hairs there?