Thanks for the detail. Sounds like you are well on your way towards success. Your razor that is beginning to dull - I would say that is probably from learning to strop. A well honed razor should be able to be stropped and shaved with for months - unless you are just learning.

Do you have a barber's hone or a 12k hone for touch ups? 5 laps on a barber's hone would probably bring the dulling razor back to shave ready. There are plenty of guys here that can help with bringing it back.

Let us know if there is anything we can help with.