I do feel much the same as you, Glen.
Lots can be learned about a razor when honing it.
Not sure I can determine to 100% how it will shave, but more often than not I'm pretty darn close
And I'll always get a feel for the qualities of the steel-

That is on stones I have intimate knowledge about, meaning I've done hundreds of razors on 'em.

Every now and then when using new stones or say at razor meets and stuff I will interpret the steel wrong and end up with a less than ideal edge. Even though it might have felt like a clean home run..