This may be worth a follow-up. Tried the un-taped honing again. Passed the sharpie test and I could see the bevels meeting under the scope. Got a sweet edge on it and made it cleanly through about 1/2-3/4 of a shave and away she went. Taped it again, put the new edge on and it went two more shaves and felt good enough for a third. I give up! I put a coat of baby oil gel on it, wrapped it up and stored it in the medicine cabinet. Too many good razors in the rotation to keep fighting with this one.