Thanks for the advice everyone. I will try to find someone who can hone in town, though most of the barber shops here no longer use straight razors. I would, however, like to learn myself. I can't post any pictures at the moment, but the 4000/8000 waterstone is by Norton and it's 3 in wide, 8 inch long. I don't know the specifics of the razor at this moment, other than that it's old and by King Razor. As for technique, I do the X pattern with the blade going first of course. I don't put any pressure other than the weight of the blade itself when I move it accross. Granted my knowledge is meager, but I seem to be doing it correct for the most part based on the sound of the blade. I'll try to get pictures if it's necessary. The idea that I ruined the blade through the TNTs sounds like it might be the most likely explanation since it would explain why my blade still isn't sharp after mostly honing it for so long on 8000 grit.