Hmmm.... You said the marker test showed the bevel was set for the whole length? That would mean that you're honing the entire length. Also means you shouldn'[t have to use any sort of rolling X stroke or any of that stuff. You think there's any chance that the toe might have got that way because of some trauma? after which someone took a grinder to it ... and removed the temper?

Just speculation. If it's honing evenly then it should get sharp evenly.
"If it's going to take more than a couple of hours..."