Stick with it! There seems to be a slow learning curve w/ this; at least for me. Having a shave ready razor from Lynn is a great benchmark. It also lets me know how slowly I'm catching on! I keep plugging away, though w/ a medium and a fine barber's hone & then stropping. My older razors keep slowly improving. Thumbnail tests are never a problem; I even use this test w/ my knives (tho' at a steeper angle). Hanging hair is not as good, even w/ the shave ready as my and my wife's hair is very fine. Hair on arm test seems very similar to the shave ready, BUT the shaves aren't nearly as good yet. But every week they get a little better. Now I'm afraid of overhoning!