Benchmarks, milestones, signposts...
Learning any fine skill is a journey, and each man has his own indicators of progress. The first time he managed to strop without nicking or rolling anything, the first shave with no nicks or irritation, the first successful honing, the first multi-pass shave, aso. Learning straight shaving is like learning a foreign language: ultimate perfection is never reached, but at some point, he declares to himself that he is proficient: I speak German; I shave with a straight razor.
I reached that point today, after six months of near-daily practice. I did my usual single-pass shave before work, and was left with barely perceptible stubble felt only against the grain, even on my neck. I'd call that a success, and I'm confident I can repeat it.
Thank you to everyone here: without the combined knowledge of the SRP community, I doubt I should have reached this point.
What are your milestones? What tells you that you have made progress, or reached a new level?