Thanks for the quick responses, gents.

Glen,

I know my lather is good (plenty wet, good cushion, blade moves very slick). Also, my WTG and XTG passes in these two spots are definitely comfortable (no tugging, skipping, etc.).

My edge SEEMS okay... though, even though it's shaving comfortably WTG and XTG (and even ATG on my cheeks), I still wonder if it could be better. Once I get my Norton set in (and, man, next Thursday REALLY needs to get here), I'm definitely going to see what can be done in the honing dept. to make a difference (with your videos playing all the while ). So far, this razor has only seen time on a DMT to remove some chips and a small crack, some 1k wet/dry paper and a LOOOONNNG time on my barber's hone and strop. Given all of that, I'm surprised it shaves so well.

As for my technique, well, I'm obviously still learning, but up until this last week or so, I haven't had an issue. I know something has changed for sure, it's just a process of elimination to figure out what, be it prep, edge, technique, blade geometry, etc.

By the way, I definitely want to thank you and everyone else here for being such a great community. All the knowledge and wisdom here is astounding, and I know I wouldn't have come as far as I have without you guys.