Oh I`ll keep it up! When I have trouble doing anything it just spurs me on to master it, it becomes a bit of an obsession until I get it right lol I`ve got my Cromium oxide on the way along with a few strops (including a 1920`s no 16) so I`m not even using the straight until I`ve had the oportunity to get it on something a little more abrasive than just leather. I`m sure that will do it actually, I won`t be needing the set of hones I`ve bought for ages yet. I love my tools though, especially the finer ones! I`ve got a load of stones for my engraving kit but new ones were needed for this obviously so I`ve bought these...
Naniwa Super Waterstone for sharpening knives and tools - eBay (item 280521741028 end time Jul-15-10 10:35:02 PDT)

Nice If a few goes on the pasted strop don`t improve things (which I think they will, it`s not THAT dull) I`ll start at the finest stone and try it after each go. New tools are like christmas in my workshop lol