On Nov. 6th I posted my first SRP thread (entitled "Day One") and received a ton of great advice. Since then I've tried to follow the guidance to the T as well as that posted in other threads (especially "Discouraged"). I've also been practicing daily (shaving) and honing on the 4k/8k a bit on the weekends. Lastly, I bought another SR on ebay (Bonsa Soligen 5/8, which I can't tell if it's carbon or stainless) as well as a Lithide barber hone from RedTrader99. In any event, I still can't get the blade right (it doesn't cut chin hair, against the grain is an impossibility and it sticks on neck hair quite a bit).

Here's a summary of where I'm at:
  • Neither of my blades pass HHT
    Both cut arm hair pretty easily (the Bonsa does better than my Dovo)
    Both are OK on the thumb nail test (by the Bonsa seems a bit sharper)
    I've hit the Norton 4k/8k consistently and the blades get sharper (but not quite there) and then dull again. Using a Radio Shack microscope it only appeared that I overhoned the Dovo one time and after back honing and working pyramids it's better


Here's my question: I think the Norton may be beyond my present skill set and I seem to be making some steady (although slow) progress by simply test shaving and then hitting my little lithide barber hone for 5-10 passes and then shaving the next day. Can I ever get these "fair" blades really ready if I shave and barber hone them slightly each day or do I have to use the Norton to get there?