To me it seems most SRP members recommend the spine stays in full contact with the leather all the time. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
However I never managed to shave more than 5 times before having to hone again. Only my problem areas (chin, moustache and area around Adam's apple)get two passes, cheeks etc need only one pass per shave.

Lately I started to strop with the spine hovering 1-2 millimeters (one millimeter is 1/25th of an inch) above the leather applying very light pressure. That way I get an edge that is much keener and lasts longer. And it takes only a few passes on my loom strop.

Any thoughts or observations? Please let me know!