Thanks for the info! Since you stone is flat and clean then we can eliminate that as a source.
Since you tried that many laps on the 8000 then we can eliminate that as a source. The solution is a coarser grit. Like 4000. You have a choice, either a standard 4000 waterstone or a pasted paddle strop with a coarse abrasive. Get ahold of Tony Miller for the paddle strop and abrasive. He has his stuff available in the Gear for Sale section of the Gallery. The other option is Ray at www.classicshaving.com. He has all of the above.

try a sequence of
10/5
5/5
1/5
1/5
on the 4000/8000 hones then strop and test shave. You will feel a difference.
Adjust the sequence as necessary and repeat if needed. Such as

5/5
3/5
1/5
1/5

The hanging hair test is not performed like you think. I will try to send you a jpg of it via email.


Hope this helps,