it was professionally honed by a guy from the forum so i think i dulled the edge some how when i first stropped it, kinda annoying but i can't expect to get it all right first time, as much as i try!

as i said, it was a BIG improvement today over yesterday and i'll strop it a load more tomorrow and see if that helps improve it again, the sharpness tests you posted are great, thanks for that, certainly not sharp enough for the HHT though so guess i've got some way to go before i'm truly shave ready.

i do have a norton combo stone 4000/8000 which i could (sharp intake of breath from everyone ) give it a quick go on the 8000 using the new info i have at my disposal.