Well, I can't sleep right now so I'm going to chime in.

I am no honemeister. I started straight shaving because I was tired of paying for disposables. My first hone was on an 800/400. I know, my poor dovo. I tried shaving with it and clearly I dulled it. Went back to the dumb knife store people and asked for the highest grit hone. It was some unbranded ceramic, slightly finer than a spyderco fine. Ok, I've been honing knives since I was 8 and was an obsessive compulsive when it came to making things sharp. With absolutely no training or guidance, I went to work. Ok, I was told this one piece of knowledge. "The razor's edge angle is exactly what the spine to the hone is." Well, I didn't follow that advice and I lifted the razor slightly and because the hone was 2" wide, I had to use an X pattern.

I have no idea how I did it, but I managed to make that razor shave. It probably sucked, but it shaved. Fast forward, and I've got the proper equipment and knowledge to hone up a blade. Ok, how did I learn. I went the dumb ass route where I just keep trying until I get it right. I don't even know how many times I messed up the blade on my Dovo...

The easiest way is to first: be obsessive about sharpness. Second, understand what the final product is supposed to be. Third, watch a video or have someone show you. That said, its really about practice. No matter what, your going to be bending over that hone for hours. The beginner has to go slowly. Very very slowly. Then keep doing it for hours until you develop the muscles memory.

I hear dish soap or some other lubricant helps "stick" the blade to the stone. Probably not necessary on a 3" hone though.

Also, being really poor and having plenty of time on your hands helps. At that point, you can't afford to send it to a honemeister and you have to get it right or else you can't shave.